The new series “The Fall of the House of Usher”, which premieres on the streaming service Netflix on October 12th, dares an interesting balancing act. It brings a centuries-old yet well-known short story into the modern era and, at the same time, marries a current and a legendary horror master: Mike Flanagan (45) and Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849). Apart from the name, the series doesn’t have much in common with the original from 1839.
Together, the power-hungry siblings Roderick (Bruce Greenwood, 67) and Madeline Usher (Mary McDonnell, 71) have built a pharmaceutical empire and are swimming in wealth. There is initially no shortage of heirs to continue the family dynasty. But suddenly they gradually begin to disappear from life under increasingly mysterious circumstances. While most family members are in the dark about the reasons for this, patriarch Roderick seems to know better: “I will be held accountable and you have a front row seat.”
The viewers in the dark, but not humor-free series also take this place in the front row. Who is the mysterious woman who wants to get into the well-heeled leather of the completely decadent degenerate Usher offspring?
In addition to the obvious difference – the series takes place in the here and now – the deviations from the original also predominate in terms of content. This is about a small group of people, consisting of the two Usher siblings and the nameless narrator of the story. The fourth main protagonist is the isolated and dilapidated manor house itself, in which the events take place like a chamber play.
The series, on the other hand, opens the gates wide. In the middle of a vibrant city, a large family is now at odds. Because at the beginning there are (still) plenty of the Ushers, who are murdered in the genre-typical count-down rhyme mode, which raises the question per episode as to who will get hit next.
Consequently, a large cast is also necessary. In addition to Greenwood and McDonnell, ex-“E.T.” child star Henry Thomas (52), Kate Siegel (41), Annabeth Gish (52) and Mark Hamill (72) are also in the cast. Series creator Flanagan once again proves his loyalty – many members (and enemies) of the Ushers have already worked in his previous projects.
Speaking of Flanagan: He is increasingly becoming a shower specialist, or rather he has been one for a long time. After the films “The Game” and “Doctor Sleeps Awakening”, in which he used another horror icon in the person of Stephen King (76), he most recently made a name for himself with series such as “Midnight Mass” and “The Haunting in Hill”. House” for goosebumps. “The Fall of the House of Usher” is the next must-see for fans of his work.
