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Netflix’s ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is a Genre-Bending Masterpiece

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I’ll admit I was skeptical when I first heard that Netflix had teamed with Mike Flanagan to create a series based in the world of Shirley Jackson’s classic novel, The Haunting of Hill House. My doubt had nothing to do with Netflix’s involvement. Though they’ve had a few missteps along the way, by and large their original films and series have been quite good. Nor did it have anything at all to do with Mike Flanagan. I have been a fan for some time, now, and he has rarely let me down with films like OculusHush, and Gerald’s Game among his credits–all three of which he wrote, directed, and edited, I might add. No, my doubt grew, as it does for so many of us, from the fact that Shirley Jackson’s classic novel and the 1963 screen adaptation starring Julie Harris have been personal favorites of mine for decades, now. Neither the film nor the novel have failed to chill me to the bone each and every time I immerse myself in their world so the idea of expanding or enlarging that world in some way made me a little nervous. Luckily for me, and myriad other fans around the world, Flanagan has proven yet again that he knows exactly what he’s doing. Jumping backward and forward in time, Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House tells the story of the Crain family who buy an expansive manor with the intent on flipping it in order to be able to finally build their own “forever home”. Little do they know that the house is not only haunted, but that the malevolence inside the house will spill out into their lives long after they’ve escaped. Those time jumps could have been disastrous in less skilled hands, but Flanagan somehow makes it all work by repeating moments in the story from different character viewpoints to demonstrate their meaning and underline their importance. The writing is tight, and the ten-episode length gives the director time to develop the characters in a way that makes them seem oh-so-real. Flanagan, in fact, walks confidently in the world that Jackson created, expanding ideas while simultaneously mirroring the things that made the original a classic.Many of the character names are drawn directly from Jackson’s novel, for example, including one, Shirley, named for the author herself. Ardent fans will no doubt notice this right away, and it could have been jarring if Flanagan hadn’t drawn parallels between those classic characters and those he crafted for his story. In the new version Nell/Eleanor, played beautifully both by child actress Violet McGraw and as adult by Victoria Pedretti, suffers deep emotional scars and night terrors from the events that took place in her childhood home in much the same way as the original character. Likewise, Theodora/Theo, played by Mckenna Grace and Kate Siegel, is both highly gifted psychically and a lesbian, the latter of which could only be hinted at in coding in the original novel and film adaptations. I’ll admit it was a breath of fresh air to finally see Theo able to evolve fully in that way. At its heart, The Haunting of Hill House is an unflinching story about family, never attempting to gloss over the pitfalls and landmines that those relationships carry with them. Family is messy and filled with raw emotion, both good and bad, and when serious trauma is added to that mixture the results can and will become volatile. Fortunately, the director and his gifted casting department pulled together an ensemble of actors and actresses, many of whom have worked with Flanagan previously, who were capable and willing to mine those roles for all of that intense emotion without becoming caricatures in the process. Henry Thomas (Gerald’s Game) and Timothy Hutton (The Dark Half) play the family’s patriarch, Hugh, in the past and present in such a way that one could easily see Thomas becoming Hutton as the series progressed. Carla Gugino (Gerald’s Game) is a revelation as Olivia Crain walking a razor-thin line between the ethereal and the real. She completely draws the viewer in, coaxing us to believe her every action, choice, and word as if they are her own even when her reality becomes skewed by Hill House. Elizabeth Reaser (Ouija: Origin of Evil), Michael Huisman (Game of Thrones), and Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Raven) fill out the cast as the rest of the adult Crain children and along with Pedretti (Sole) and Siegel (Hush), each bringing their own unique talents to the family dynamic, beautifully. And then there is Hill House itself.
Hill House is ever present in the Netflix series.
It is an absolute necessity for the house to loom large and become a character all its own. It must live and breathe for its power to be realized and Flanagan’s team did not disappoint in the least, once again drawing finely detailed elements–lion’s head doorknobs, stained glass windows, and the grand staircase–from the source material to infuse the house with power and create its menacing shadow which covers the family even after they’ve fled its land. Those fine details are present in every part of the production from the color palettes utilized to the dynamic camera work to the brilliant cinematography which made excellent use of shadow and light. The Haunting of Hill House is a carefully choreographed, emotionally driven, and often terrifying film from start to finish, and though there are imperfections and a bit of stumbling particularly in the last episode, it is still completely worth the dance. All ten episodes of The Haunting of Hill House are available on Netflix, now. Grab a blanket and a friend and start your binge today!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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