Summary
Mike Flanagan reveals an interesting secret aboutThe Haunting of Hill Houseand how it’s similar to one of his previous films. The horror limited series, based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, explores the Crain family and their dealings with the supernatural house, theterrifying Red Room, and the tragedy that befell their mother Olivia (Carla Gugino). Along with Gugino, the cast ofThe Haunting of Hill Houseincludes Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Victoria Pedretti, Henry Thomas, and Timothy Hutton.
While speaking with Michael Gingold at Fantasia Fest (viaIndieWire), Flanagan revealed that when it came to makingThe Haunting of Hill House,he used his 2013 filmOculusas a guide.He explained how the alternating timelines and family situations were similar, and noted: “It’s just Oculus, but it’s Oculus for 10 hours.” Read more of Flanagan’s comments below:
The Haunting of Hill House was an interesting case because that was brought to me. I believed that The Haunting of Hill House had been perfectly adapted by Robert Wise in 1963. It is a perfect movie. And I said, ‘Well, the novel as it stands, works for about 90 minutes. So if you’re talking about a TV show, you need to do a radical expansion.’ I just did…. Oculus. The Haunting of Hill House is Oculus, except instead of two siblings there are five.
It’s two timelines braided together, same technique for cutting back and forth between them. It’s all about family trauma and the disagreement about a traumatic event in their childhood while they’re forced to confront that dramatic event in the present. It’s just Oculus, but it’s Oculus for 10 hours.
How Similar Are The Haunting of Hill House & Oculus?
Both Deal With Family Trauma
InOculus, Kaylie (Karen Gillan) and Tim Russell (Brenton Thwaites) attempt to prove that the turbulent behavior and murder of their parents were caused by a strange mirror. The film also stars Annalise Basso and Garrett Ryan Ewald as the younger counterparts of Kaylie and Tim, similar to how the Crain children were portrayed in the early storyline ofThe Haunting of Hill House.The show, along withOculus,examines the relationship between parents and their childrenand sees the children in harm’s way. However, when it came toOculus, Marie and Alan Russell werecontrolled by the Lasser Glass.
InThe Haunting of Hill House, Olivia is influenced by Poppy and tries to poison young Nell and Luke.
OculusandThe Haunting of Hill Housemight appear different, but as Flanagan mentioned, the time jumps are constant, and each project handles enduring discomfort. Knowing that he usedOculusto create the television series,there may even be similarities between characters.In adulthood, Tim discounts the supernatural in a way that echoes Steven’s skepticism, though both eventually relive their past to an extent. Kaylie’s eagerness to confront the Lasser Glass is also somewhat comparable to Nell’s assertion that Hill House was haunted and the root of their problems.
This Underrated Mike Flanagan Monologue From 6 Years Ago Has A Heartbreaking Real-Life Story
Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House has an eviscerating monologue in the finale – and part of the inspiration comes from his own experiences.
With the creation ofThe Haunting of Hill House, Flanagan managed to successfully duplicate a movie of his that came out a few years prior. While the Netflix series is one of Flanagan’s most celebrated works,Oculustends to fly under the radar, so it’s interesting to hear about how similar they actually are.
The Haunting of Hill House
Cast
The Haunting of Hill House is a 2018 horror drama series that interweaves the past and present narrative of a family grappling with traumatic occurrences from their former residence. The story explores the psychological and supernatural elements of their experiences as they contend with haunting memories and events.
