Open Casket

Congratulations to Mr. Flanagan on his superb achievement. To intricately weave multiple timelines is no easy feat. It's not merely linking one particular thread through from the past to the present. It's also unraveling the journey of all its characters and the overall story. Revealing it slowly to the audience. I don't think people grasp how difficult this is. Certainly not the low quality reviewers imdb seems to be getting these days. They sound off as though they can do better yet can't even spell.

The actors are all very good. Children and adult. My only criticism is that too many of the women look similiar. Long black hair with sharply defined features. I appreciate that they are supposed to be related and we do get to know them but even the funeral parlour's assistant looks similar. A slight criticism.

Mr. Flanagan has even directed these first two episodes. First class work. Based on his past achievements you wouldn't pick him for this type of genre but give people the opportunity and they can surprise you.

The show is fresh, though has some old school quality to it with a genuinely eerie vibe and there are some real scares in there. Fear is like art. Not every scare is going to work for everybody but there's plenty to go round.

Great to see Henry Thomas again too. Seems not long since he was Brad Pitt's younger brother in Legends of the Fall. Time flies by for us all.

I've always thought the the second episode in just about any show isn't usually as strong as it's pilot. That not ALWAYS the case, but it's just something I've noticed ikr event years. This episode was very good though. Reaser's acting is seriously phenomenal and I can't believe people think this insist a lifeless, expressionless performance. I'd imagine people grieving generally look and act a bit lifeless anyway, right? I still don't stand by that though. She was great in this.

I also thought all of the scares were really well handled and built-up. I do think the CGI elements are the weakest part of the show so far, but that's a fairly mild complaint with such good acting, directing, and pacing. I'm loving this show so far.

The second episode of The Haunting of Hill House, titled "Open Casket", delves deeply into the character of Shirley Crain, exploring her formative years and the psychological scars she carries into adulthood. This episode intricately weaves between the past and present, using Shirley's experiences with death as a lens to examine her resilience and need for control, which defines much of her personality. By highlighting her connection to mortality through her career as a mortician, the episode solidifies her role as a bridge between the living and the dead, a thematic cornerstone of the series.

The narrative begins with a chilling continuation from the previous episode, as Shirley awakens abruptly, muttering cryptic words that hint at the foreboding connection between the siblings and Hill House. From there, the story alternates between young Shirley's discovery of a litter of kittens and her adult life, managing a funeral home and grappling with the financial and emotional toll of her choices. The discovery of the kittens initially symbolizes hope and innocence, but the eventual disturbing revelations tied to them deepen the episode's unnerving tone. Moments like young Shirley witnessing unnatural phenomena, including a terrifying scene with the kittens, are emblematic of the show's ability to merge the mundane with the supernatural to provoke genuine horror.

The direction by Mike Flanagan remains exemplary, with a meticulous balance of suspense and emotion. The episode's pacing is deliberate, allowing the narrative to focus on Shirley's internal struggles while integrating moments of high tension, such as a harrowing sequence involving loud banging in the night. These scenes are executed with precision, building dread without relying on overt jump scares. The cinematography accentuates this unease, with haunting imagery like the shadows of Hill House and eerie reflections reinforcing the sense of an omnipresent menace.

Performance-wise, Lulu Wilson as young Shirley and Elizabeth Reaser as her adult counterpart deliver compelling portrayals. Wilson captures the character's innocence tinged with precocious curiosity, while Reaser embodies her steely demeanor, undercut by moments of vulnerability. The supporting cast also shines, particularly Victoria Pedretti as Nell, whose brief appearances add emotional weight to the episode's central themes. However, the emphasis on Shirley's perspective may leave viewers yearning for more exploration of the other siblings, a minor drawback in an otherwise well-crafted narrative.

The episode's script is poignant, offering profound meditations on grief and memory. A standout scene involves young Shirley preparing to bury one of the kittens with her mother, Olivia, who imparts a tender yet haunting reflection on how stories of the deceased keep their essence alive. This moment underscores the series' broader exploration of how we confront loss and the narratives we create to endure its weight. Still, some may find the dialogue heavy-handed in places, veering into exposition rather than subtlety.

In conclusion, "Open Casket" is a masterful character study that builds on the psychological horror introduced in the series premiere. By centering Shirley's narrative, it enriches the emotional stakes of the story and lays the groundwork for the familial tensions that drive the show forward. The juxtaposition of past innocence with present pain amplifies the tragedy of the Crain family's plight. While the episode leans heavily on Shirley's arc, it successfully deepens the overarching themes of loss and resilience, maintaining the series' reputation as a poignant and chilling modern ghost story.

Shirley takes on a difficult job and reflects on the near and distance past.

I found this episode to be on par with the first. The focus on Shirley is good and reveals several experiences that seem to have defined her character and shaped some of her choices in life. Both Elizabeth Reaser and Lulu Wilson play the part well.

We are again drip-fed information from different points in time about characters, but it's still too early to tell what's really going on.

The horror factor is not quite as jumpy as previous, but it retains that sense of creeping dread that comes with most of the shot framing, camera movement and lighting. There are one or two horror movie cliches but it's not overdone. I think Mike Flanagan takes pleasure in creating enough tension to coil his audience up and then when the shock feels like it should come it actually doesn't. As it's early days I feel we are being softened up ready for some big scares later in the series.

For me the best bits are not connected to scares but the emotions relating to the things that happen. One sequence involving a transition from one scene to the next where someone is applying make-up to the same person is an excellent piece of visual storytelling.

Still intrigued.

This episode is full of fear, brings all horror vibes around, all characters well introduced, no theaters no big sounds but then also mobile phone is enough for you to get scared.