Great in parts

Director Mike Flanagan presents a different take on Shirley Jackson's classic story. Bold, given that Robert Wise's 1963 movie adaptation is pretty much the gold standard for all haunted house movies. Flanagan removes the 'psychic researchers' plot, instead telling the story of a family who move into the rundown property with the intent to 'flip' it for profit, but who soon realise they aren't alone.

Flanagan loves his horror set against backgrounds of family angst, and he does the same here, focusing on relationships as much on the supernatural. In that respect it succeeds - so much so that some excellent writing and actors' performances make this at times a truly uncomfortable watch, almost as though we are intruding in some way. However, the supernatural elements don't always land. Flanagan's revised history for the house, its past occupants, and its ghosts is interesting, but some aspects that cry out for (and seem headed towards) expansion just get forgotten. Some time-jumps and alternate perspectives on events are distractingly confusing (even when they are ultimately cleverly resolved). Flanagan also has a tendency at times to show too much; when it comes to ghosts less is more. Showing them too clearly - however well-done the make-up and effects - removes some of the creeping fear; nothing is as terrifying as the horrors we conjure in our own minds, so leave something to the imagination. The ending is also a letdown - feeling like a bizarre slap in the face. All of these are things that Flanagan remedied in his follow-up series, The Haunting of Bly Manor. However, this does share one fault with Bly Manor; it could comfortably lose the equivalent of one episode's runtime. Nevertheless, despite the shortfalls, some inspired writing, superb photography, and faultless performances from the cast get this an 8/10.