The Haunting of Hill House. List of the most unsettling TV series

For a long time Netflix had a major trouble with implementation of classic horror movies as an original series. Most of them wasted the potential of a promising idea, being mediocre at best (see Nightflyers). The Haunting of Hill House has broken a bad streak, making it one of the best horror series in years.

Shirley Jackson's novel (with the same title) has been adapted several times, but only Mike Flanagan turned the story into something that will be remembered as a masterpiece of horror genre. The classic theme of the haunted house was used to tell stories about people, their traumas and their mistakes – and these are the moments when horror movies shine the most (like in The Shinning – no pun intended). When such stories confront a man with the unknown or unspeakable evil, they still focus on human nature. Flanagan has even drawn ghosts into this whirlpool of psychological madness, which are not typical ghosts here, but rather subsequent characters of the drama. They have become an expression of despair that plagues them and all main characters in this story.

In contrast to the original, series protagonists are represented by a five sibling instead of a researcher and his beautiful assistant. The family lived in the most famous haunted house in America in their youth. Because of a suicide committed by their sister, they decide to return to this cursed place years later. They confront their memories, their own problems, and even their own madness. Finally, they have to confront the house itself.

Efficient production and brilliant shots are just some of the factors that make this series a success. Its magic was determined by the skillful interweaving of a supernatural phenomenon with human nature – when these two attributes go inline, they generate tension, fear, and even some touching moments. The Haunting of Hill House never forgets to surprise the viewer.