Netflix's spooky new series has a scarily good 97% on Rotten Tomatoes

Edgar Allen Poe adaptation sounds like a trick and a treat

The fall of the house of Usher
(Image credit: Netflix)

It's official, we're now entering the spooky season. For some, it starts almost as soon as Summer ends but as a lifelong coward, I try to delay its arrival somewhat. I'm happy to declare it's beginning however on the 12th of October, when Netflix adds a brand new series adapted from one of the founding fathers of frightful, Edgar Allen Poe.

The Fall of The House of Usher comes to the streaming service from acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan who was also responsible for the terrifying Haunting of Hill House, The Midnight Club and who directed The Shining sequel Doctor Sleep. It sounds like the strength of the source material and the pedigree of the show's creators has paid off too with an early Rotten Tomatoes score amongst critics of 97%. Metro's review describes it as a "masterclass in how horror, suspense, and drama should be done." so colour me intrigued (and still slightly pale from fear). Coupled with the likes of Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, in the cast, it looks like I'm going to have to start being brave.

The fall of the house of Usher

(Image credit: Netflix)

Edgar Allen Poe's original story is only a short one, a dark tale of family tragedy, but this miniseries will cover both it and other Poe works. Hamill's character for instance is listed as Arthur Pym, the title character in the author's only finished novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. So now we finally know who the man from Nantucket is in the famous old Limerick.

Aside from Hammill, the cast is led by a handful of Hill House returnees including Carla Gugino, and Kate Siegel and I'm sure there will be more twists than a Charles Dickens orphanage. 

Like I said I'm a grade 'A' wimp when it comes to horror movies and series, but Flanagan's work, while truly scary, has been praised for not relying on cheap jumpscares and instead favouring genuine suspense and dread, so maybe I'll be okay. Either way, I'm watching this one with the lights on, no apologies. 

Andy Sansom
Staff Writer

Andy is T3's Tech Staff Writer, covering all things technology, including his biggest passions such as gaming, AI, phones, and basically anything cool and expensive he can get his hands on. If he had to save one possession from a fire it would be his PlayStation 5. He previously worked for Tom’s Guide - where he got paid to play with ChatGPT every day. When it comes to streaming, Andy will have his headphones glued in whilst watching something that will make him laugh. He studied Creative Writing at university, but also enjoys supporting his favourite football team (Liverpool), watching F1, teaching himself guitar, and spending time with his dog.