56 reviews
The depth, the flow, the emotion, the acting from adults and children alike, and that brilliant, brilliant cinematography. Like watching a perfectly choreographed dance or stage play. Literally cannot fault this masterwork. Easily the most stunning episode of television, of any genre, that I've seen in years.
- XanderTigerclaw
- Oct 13, 2018
- Permalink
This show is far above any horror show I've seen.
And this episode took it even to another higher level.
It makes an American Horrorstory look like amateurs.
(To the makers,writers actors,crew etc..)Where were you all my life?
This is the perfect horror show,
Thank you.
Just watching that uncut one take sequence is worth the price of admission. The effort they put in is astounding. Definitely goes in my top 10 tv series episode of all time.
After five aready excellent episodes this one takes it to a whole new level. It is the first time the remaining Crain family members are together and the less said about that the better.
What makes this one of the stand out episodes in tv history is a 16 minute, uncut, one camera scene with only the characters' trauma and dynamics to focus on. It is not until the scene finally cuts you realise what you have witnessed. It simply doesn't get better than this. This is a series on a different level and one you can return to time and again and discover new things again and again. Bravo!
- r-vandeventer
- Oct 12, 2018
- Permalink
Gosh I'm truly astounded by the quality of that episode. How the HECK did they get that one-take impression to last practically the entire episode, completely pulled you into the scene even further & also had me completely terrified of anything peering though the doorways!
How incredible. Right, well the emmys is cancelled next year, these guys are getting every single one.
Gosh Nel's performance in this episode was so great.
How incredible. Right, well the emmys is cancelled next year, these guys are getting every single one.
Gosh Nel's performance in this episode was so great.
All the Crain family arrive at the funeral home to pay respect to Nell.
There isn't much I can say about this that has not already been said by all the reviews giving it 10/10.
From a technical perspective it is a magnum opus. I have seen several movies that use long continual takes but I've not seen it used to create such utter creepiness and also enhance the storytelling such as in Two Storms. The opening scene is so mind-blowing in what it achieves, I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. Later on the technique is used to more frightening effect where the camera moves about the upper floor of Hill House in one of the best horror-suspense sequences I've ever watched.
The changes between time periods are absolutely seamless and some are even done in the same take. One of my favourite aspects of the series is how well it applies transitions. When the long takes in this episode eventually transition they happen in very memorable ways.
The acting is superb from the entire cast who for the first time properly share the centre stage. What makes it so impressive is how well they perform given the technical demands. The episode explores the theme of grief and the characters convincingly display a variety of behaviours relating to bereavement.
Writing the script must have been like trying to do a complicated stage play, so much credit has to be given for this. It also contains what I thought was some quite black humour in some of the dialogue and I hope I was right to laugh when I did.
This is definitely one that can be rewatched for both entertainment and for those who appreciate the craft of filmmaking.
There isn't much I can say about this that has not already been said by all the reviews giving it 10/10.
From a technical perspective it is a magnum opus. I have seen several movies that use long continual takes but I've not seen it used to create such utter creepiness and also enhance the storytelling such as in Two Storms. The opening scene is so mind-blowing in what it achieves, I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. Later on the technique is used to more frightening effect where the camera moves about the upper floor of Hill House in one of the best horror-suspense sequences I've ever watched.
The changes between time periods are absolutely seamless and some are even done in the same take. One of my favourite aspects of the series is how well it applies transitions. When the long takes in this episode eventually transition they happen in very memorable ways.
The acting is superb from the entire cast who for the first time properly share the centre stage. What makes it so impressive is how well they perform given the technical demands. The episode explores the theme of grief and the characters convincingly display a variety of behaviours relating to bereavement.
Writing the script must have been like trying to do a complicated stage play, so much credit has to be given for this. It also contains what I thought was some quite black humour in some of the dialogue and I hope I was right to laugh when I did.
This is definitely one that can be rewatched for both entertainment and for those who appreciate the craft of filmmaking.
- snoozejonc
- Oct 24, 2020
- Permalink
This episode, stands out from the former 5 just by the cinematography alone. An incredibly easy and gripping way to pull you into the story before you. 16 minutes of one take and you're transported from one place to another, with no cut in between. What makes this even more compelling is all the background action that is subtle and disturbing. Definitely an episode to watch again for all the secrets hiding in the shadows.
- david-adam-woods
- Oct 12, 2018
- Permalink
- Trey_Trebuchet
- Sep 20, 2021
- Permalink
Oh my goodness, this episode is incredible. One other reviewer described this as an almost dance and it really is.
Everything is just so tight. The acting is spot on by both the adults and kids and there are some genuinely amazing one shot takes.
I am so impressed with this series. It's so clever. So well written. Brilliantly acted as well
Everything is just so tight. The acting is spot on by both the adults and kids and there are some genuinely amazing one shot takes.
I am so impressed with this series. It's so clever. So well written. Brilliantly acted as well
- bobcobb301
- Jan 3, 2019
- Permalink
Seems like I'm in a minority here, so I have to voice my thoughts. The show so far has been okay, and episode 5 ended with the first actually interesting idea, making me hope for good things for the future.
But then this one comes. Takes place entirely at the funeral, and you get to hear people complain and do family drama for an entire hour, while the camera keeps spinning around them. I mean seriously, how can people find this interesting? And more importantly, how can anyone find it scary? What is THE POINT of these ghosts scaring people? I sure hope there will be some kind of explanation, rather than "well, ghosts appear and scare people".
Anyway, I'm normally a very patient movie/tv watcher, but this is one of few times I had the constant urge to fast-forward.
But then this one comes. Takes place entirely at the funeral, and you get to hear people complain and do family drama for an entire hour, while the camera keeps spinning around them. I mean seriously, how can people find this interesting? And more importantly, how can anyone find it scary? What is THE POINT of these ghosts scaring people? I sure hope there will be some kind of explanation, rather than "well, ghosts appear and scare people".
Anyway, I'm normally a very patient movie/tv watcher, but this is one of few times I had the constant urge to fast-forward.
- FreddeGreddet
- Dec 14, 2018
- Permalink
- kdwc-66-443380
- Oct 14, 2018
- Permalink
- yusufpiskin
- May 30, 2020
- Permalink
- ameyvitian7
- Oct 26, 2018
- Permalink
- alexkross2
- Oct 30, 2018
- Permalink
Having just gone to the funeral of my 42 year old cousin, I can relate to the gathering of family in this episode, the awkward conversation, the memories, the anger and the love through it all. The filming technique was absolutely amazing, the continuous cuts were superb, intertwined with flashbacks of days in the house. When Dad walked in, and all he saw were his young children , that got me. So well done.
There is so much to account for when planning long one-takes like this episode does. Watch it again to see just how deliberately everything is shot. No matter where the camera moves - and no matter where the characters move - everything is seen and it looks perfect. There were moments where I had to pause the show due to being so impressed at how everything is framed.
I can watch this episode over and over just to see the perfection happen, but at around half way through, I can't help but stop being awed by the cinematography because the story itself is also just as amazing.
This must be one of the best episodes of any television show that I've ever seen. I just finished the episode and all I want to do is watch it again.
Well done.
I can watch this episode over and over just to see the perfection happen, but at around half way through, I can't help but stop being awed by the cinematography because the story itself is also just as amazing.
This must be one of the best episodes of any television show that I've ever seen. I just finished the episode and all I want to do is watch it again.
Well done.
Many films try to mimic the one take as a sign of novelty. One example is Snake Eyes, very impressive but very much glamourised. It was about 5 minutes in where I actually realised this was happening in this episode as it started very subtle. After that I was then glued to every scene afterwards. It didn't come across as an in your face novelty but more as intelligent filming. It's very easy in modern horror to suddenly cut away from the actors face and revert to a jump scare but with this episode relying on one takes, it pans from the actors face to the horror in the room therefore creating not so much jump scares but more as a "viewer being in the room with them" creepy moment. Also, because of this it relies on the actors ability to not mess up their lines, almost like a stage production. Absolute congratulations not only to the actors but to the cinematographers and the cameramen/women.
- seal-18-2363
- Sep 22, 2022
- Permalink
This is probably the best episode of any show I have seen. The cinematography, acting performances,drama, music were out of this world. A true masterpiece.
- mohakrjoshi
- Oct 25, 2018
- Permalink
Not sure how so many good reviews, the characters arent that gripping and kind of stale..Doesnt really draw you in or scare you either..The actors just arent that magnetic I guess? I thought the spinning camera was kind of cool but also at times just kind of annoying or too much..after this episode my girlfriend and I just decided to call it quits, too many other good shows to watch than waste our time on this one!
- prostatus-05664
- Apr 25, 2020
- Permalink
This episode alone should win every Emmy! Possibly the best cinematography and editing I have ever watched on TV, if not ever. The acting and the casting of this show is so spot on!
- michelramirez
- Oct 23, 2018
- Permalink
I don't usually write reviews but this episode struck me so hard that I feel compelled to share my thoughts, even if I am just echoing much what many others have already said. This episode is intense, unflinching, uncompromising, almost overwhelming. It took me most of 15 minutes to realize I'd become perched literally on the edge of my seat, so involved and invested in what was happening that my surroundings had faded away. Suddenly, I realized that I'd been watching one continuous shot. (In fact the entire episode is comprised of just a handful of long, sweeping, dizzying shots). I absolutely love the use of long shots in film and TV. They're technically impressive, allow the actors (and characters) to flex and shine, and they suck you into the story in a way that jump cuts (and jump scares) never will, and they make it hard to look away as the tension just builds and builds. The cinematography, and choreography, in this episode, are stunning. The acting is top-notch. Not only do the adult actors do a fantastic job, but the child actors are mind-bogglingly good. Throughout this entire series, I've been highly impressed by these talented young people. I look forward to their long and illustrious careers following the amazing work they've done here. I'm not going to do the thing where you describe the episode in detail as you review it (though, I'm very glad many of you write reviews that way, they're a pleasure to read and often help me appreciate aspects of the episodes I missed the first time around). I just wanted to give my impressions of the episode as a whole. I know some people found the first few episodes to drag a bit, and it is definitely a slow burn, but the whole series finds a feverish peak here. Everyone involved with this episode, on and off-screen, is at the top of their game. Do yourself a favor, watch this series if for no other reason than to get to this episode. Watch it, watch it again, read some reviews, descriptions, and the IMDB trivia page, of course, and then watch it again. It keeps on giving; this is one of those shows that gets better with every viewing, it opens up and flowers into something incredible before your eyes. Favorite episode by far of one of my favorite series in recent years. 10/10.
- deepfield67
- Oct 24, 2021
- Permalink