HOME IS WHERE THE TELL-TALE HEART IS! Reviewing the Fall of the Hose of Usher.

I watched Mike Flanagan’s new Netflix series the week it premiered but I needed a little bit of time to mull over my thoughts (and do several other things that had nothing to do with writing this). I am a genuine fan of his work. I loved his adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House and was particularly impressed with Midnight Mass. Flanagan does love the slow burn. He loves to build intensity as he unravels the narrative and usually, it works in his favour. The Fall of the House of Usher is that slow burn and to begin with, that burn feels more like a flicker. But, as with most of Flanagan’s work, perseverance pays off!  This might be Flanagan’s best work to date. It bends the boundaries of genres, creating the perfect amalgamation of horror, drama, and dark humour. There are definitive moments within the first few episodes where the plot deviates and it feels more like a Ryan Murphy/Brad Falchuk carnally charged brainchild. 

This series really does evoke all moods. It escalates and descends between the dark and darker like some macabre manic episode, tempestuous and abject. And the characters are true representations of those temperaments. The Ushers are not good people! They are not likeable. It is virtually impossible to find a singular redeeming quality in any of them. They are scheming, deceitful narcissists whose perversities lack any trace of shame, remorse, or confines. My theory (which may also be everyone else’s theory) is that each Usher is a representation of those very prolific cardinal violations; the Seven Deadly Sins. Flanagan integrates several of Poe’s other tales too. The series title, some of the main characters and, certain aspects of the plot adhere loosely with The Fall of The House of Usher (1839), however, Flanagan also includes several other of Poe’s works, demonstrated with each death of Roderick Usher’s (Bruce Greenwood) children and the title of each episode.  

The performances are indelible, particularly Mary McDonnell and Willa Fitzgerald (who both portray Madeline Usher) and Carla Gugino (Verna). Gugino is fantastic in everything she does, but her portrayal of Verna is nothing short of showstopping! Verna is the raven. (for those playing at home Verna is an anagram of the raven) However, the character represents much more than Poe’s intended symbolisms of loss and mourning. Verna may be an allegory of death or perhaps even death itself. Madeline and Roderick made a deal with her that would ensure they’d forever be successful, wealthy, and powerful.  In exchange, the Usher bloodline would end with them, and Verna could and would ‘extract’ any of their offspring at will, which she does, demonstrating a clear perchance for those who are particularly over-indulgent with avarice. The company lawyer and all-round nefarious creep, Arthur Pym (Mark Hamill) uncovers photographs of Verna alongside well-known figures throughout history and then confesses his astonishing revelation where he once encountered a place on an Arctic expedition which he believed had been the portal or gateway to the netherworld. Pym speculated that Verna came from this world to bargain with the most debased of humanity; those who would give anything to ‘have it all’. As I mentioned, Gugino is literal perfection in this role. I will happily admit, I have adored her ever since I saw Son in Law (1993) in my teen years [yikes!] She has such a commanding presence and a rare versatility, which she radiates in Verna flawlessly.  Honestly, this may be her best performance yet. 

Flanagan also references the Egyptian ruler Twosret or Tausret throughout the series and if you happen to be a keen scholar or an Egyptologist you might be knowledgeable of her history. For those who aren’t either of those things, Twosret was one of the few female rulers and only came into power after her husband’s death. She then ruled (briefly) with the aid of Chancellor Bay. She was the last pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty and, she was one of the very few women to be granted a tomb in the Valley of the Kings however, her history was almost completely erased by her vindictive successor. I would consider Madeline Usher the real driving force of the family, leading from behind the scenes with the aid of her own “chancellor” Arthur Pym. She is the one believed to have negotiated the deal with Verna and certainly asserts her power more dominantly as her brother begins to sicken and decline. Madeline never fully reigns as the official head of the Fortunato empire; she is more of a regent. She collects stolen Egyptian artifacts and, has a sarcophagus beneath a glass table in her office. In her death, Roderick references her as a queen then removes her eyes and replaces them with sapphires, sending her into the afterlife symbolically as it were.  On the exterior, Madeline appears calculating and cold. She does appear to have a sentiment or love for her brother, but it becomes apparent that her love for power is much greater. She is controlled, merciless and often devoid of any real emotion and, it isn’t until Pym shows her the photographic evidence of Verna that we witness the eruption of psychotic rage and hostility that barrages from deep within her.  It is synchronously brilliant and terrifying. 

The visual aspects of the series are also incredible, and Flanagan has once again composed an atmosphere that compliments and pairs perfectly with each character’s narrative. Camille’s sets and entire aesthetic ooze modern opulence with a palette that is heavily reminiscent of a Kubrick design.  The entire production is an amazing combination of that dark gothic authenticity of Poe’s fables with a chic and contemporary composition. 

For those who are looking to see Poe’s short story immortalized with accuracy, this is not the show for you. If you are looking to see an interesting, fun, twisted adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher and a few other works conglomerated then you should definitely check this out.  Even if you just want to watch Mike Flanagan deliver another mixed bag of crazy in the best kind of way… I highly recommend this series.