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Cassie Tremblay
Cassie Tremblay

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Haunting of Hill House (EP 9-10) - Full Reaction

I’m never getting over this show. Sorry I was very emotional the last two episodes, I just wanted so badly for this family to be ok. I thought it was spectacularly done! We made it through October! Phew! Have a safe and happy Halloween!!

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Haunting of Hill House (EP 9-10) - Full Reaction

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I liked 9 out of 10 episodes, the final episode was just a chore to get through. The elevator music didn't help that. It's almost as if I didn't care at one point what actually went down.

Chris Retzlaff

Finally got around to watching these last few eps, loved the show even though it was a proper heartbreaker. I caught so many of the background ghosts it was probably for the best you didn't spot them haha

Gray

Wonder if there was a way the spirits could ever escape the house? Or did they just stay because they wanted to?

Chris Thom

Ready for Midnight Mass. Same writer and director. Go for it Cassie.

John Cranberry

No, she's not.

John Cranberry

@Matt: Ignore Joe's dismissal. Your analysis of this show is some next-level film criticism.

Stick Figure Studios

@Mike, probably a new patron. We've been here awhile.

Joe

Why can't people accept that she isn't going to watch that?

Mike Lemon

I read to the end. I love this show and like to see what others think. It will never get old for me and every time I cry like a baby, not just at the end, but throughout the entire series. It is a masterpiece.

bknsty14

Next year Cassie. You are ready for The Exorcist!!!

Jimmy Reyes

By the end we understood that Nell saved everyone. At the very end as we see the red door finally closing, we can see Nell with mom and then dad comes to embrace both of them. Since we understand that Nell is good because she saved everyone, then we may also assume that Olivia was saved as well. The one thorn kept Olivia in her unwaking self was because Hugh took away the children. Now with Hugh staying behind he fixes things because his essence is now part of the house and... he did not die insane, or he did not die in a delusional state like the mom and even Nell did. So the odds are with Hugh plus the 'healed' Nell they could bring sanity back to the soul of Olivia. Thus she is also saved. Note that the two actors who played the dad are both standing next to each other in one scene. A quiet "aha" it was fortuitous that they had two actors playing the different ages of the dad and so they did not need special effects to have the younger dad and the older dad be standing next to each other. Also... if you think about it, the younger dad only appears in the memory of the kids who are now adults. Perhaps this is what the dad looked like or how he is remembered by the siblings.

Mannygogou

Finally I got to finish the full reactions! (just now). Cassie I cried more than you! hahaha... that's what happens when you know the scenes already. I always say I've watched this show many times but actually I almost never watch the last episode. It's a really good trick if you ever find a gem. You can watch the early episodes as much as you want... but if you never finish, the show lives on kind of, in perpetuity...! The first time around I think I was tired and maybe fell asleep, groggy. Much later I'm watching again and I know how it ends but... it did not have as much traction at the final episode as it did this time. I think maybe I was just paying attention more... this time, and remember I almost never watch the last episode, often I don't watch the penultimate episode either. This time around I picked up one more thing, "The dad opened the door." Remember the red door opened and Hugh walked in? He anxiously looked at all the kids - you can interpret this as "finally the door is opened, how are the kids doing?" But you can also interpret it as... "I've just opened the door for the first time... finally I can help the kids." Hugh opened the door himself because perhaps anyone dead can open the door. It's not explained but whomever wants the power may open the door but they have to be part of the house first, they have to have been consumed by the house first. Hugh died and so he could open the door himself. Prior to that he was asking Liv to do it... but we saw that he was the one who walked in to save the kids. How long has he been dead? I will further say that his body is seen where he fell the first time. It might have been a vision starting from when he took pills, through when he was trying to convince Olivia - this entire time he was fallen against the wall. Finally when he makes the promise to stay that's when he agrees to die and so he doesn't wake. Perhaps after the house consumes you, you understand the red room and because of that you can open it. And then the dad opened the door.

Mannygogou

Thanks for your feedback, Joe. :)

Matthew Clark

I fear you'll put it off until next Halloween, but please watch Bly Manor at some point, it's every bit as good as Hill House.

Odd Thomas

Loved your reaction! This is my favorite show ever, and I didn't even like horror before I watched this show. It's a masterpiece. I hope you'll react to Mike Flanagan's other shows, as well. The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher. Similar style, many of the same actors, yet each quite different and unique. I found them a lot less scary than Hill House, so I think they can be watched outside of October, too.

Belthazor82

I clocked him in the few quick scenes he appeared in earlier in the series. Thought she would have recognized him more quickly.

Cole Jennett

For me, the show was not scary in any way. The ending is what I expected, the house wasn't going to be destroyed.

Joe

🙄

Joe

Please don't ever feel the need to apologize for your emotions. Your empathy is why most of us connect with you. You're a trooper for staying open to the experience and getting through this series. On a lighter note, I really hope you check out the HIDDEN GHOSTS! I placed a vid on Discord that details when/where 37 of them are hidden. Thanks again for a great ride!

Crimson Ace

I like to think that Hugh and Nell will help bring Liv back to herself. They have forever to do it, and they all love each other very much.

Brian Harris

Biggest jump scare for me was "*dramatic gasp* That guy's from One Tree Hill!". Really caught me off guard.

Ian Tonge

That is a great wrap up! Thank you for sharing. 🙂👌

silverarrow06

Oh man, I think I didn't cry this much since Arcane...😭🙈😅 I want to write so much and a the same time I don't know how to put my feeling in words, so ... thank you so much for watching this and let me expierience it through your eyes. This show is up there on top with the best stories ever told, no matter in which media. Sad and moving and heartbreaking and thrilling and scary, but also optimistic, with a kind heart and full of love for it's characters, close to perfect. 😍🙈

silverarrow06

I'd put BLY MANOR and MIDNIGHT CLUB at the bottom myself. USHER, MASS and HILL HOUSE are all terrific.

Stick Figure Studios

I think MIDNIGHT MASS is the best thing Flanagan's done yet... and it's relatively short (only 7 episodes). The sixth episode is one of the most most harrowing things I've ever seen put onscreen.

Stick Figure Studios

Well put.

Stick Figure Studios

The house is not “evil”. “Dangerous”? Of course, but Steve tells us in the opening lines that Hill House is “not sane”, and later Liv describes the floor plans of the House as “schizophrenic”. As the story unfolds, we learn that the House itself is sentient and has an ego. It chooses who it wants to interact with, and punishes those it perceives to be a threat to its purpose. Olivia says that the purpose of a house is to keep a family “together”. This particular house has somehow been imbued with powers that can literally cross space and time, but it was also infected with the mental illness of its builders (remember that William Hill and Poppy met in the mental institution, after all). Imagine an AI that was only programmed to “clean up the planet”, and it interprets that to mean “wipe out the human race”. Its intentions are “good” in the conventional sense. It grants people their deepest wishes. It brings families together beyond the bounds of death. These are all “good” things, motivated by “love”. But the power of any emotion, love or fear especially, is going to have negative ramifications in a disordered and all-powerful mind. “Road to Hell is paved with best intentions” and all that. The House can move through time. It already knows what’s going to happen, which is why it never let Hugh into the Red Room. It perceived Hugh as an enemy. (And it knew Hugh was going to be in there eventually.) Hugh was ripping the House apart from the inside. (He even tells Shirley that he’s trying to fix the chimney flue, but the “house doesn’t seem to like it”.) He was going to seal the House up, preventing it from bringing “joy” to other families. He talked about selling it, ripping out its walls, burning it down. No wonder it made him slice his hand open. And Luke DID try to burn it down, so it’s understandable that it was a little “offended”. Easiest way to drive someone insane is to punish them for something they perceive to have done correctly or as morally right. “I give Nellie her perfect wedding, I grant people their deepest wishes, I move space and time to do all of this for you, and this is the thanks I get? Gasoline and salted Earth?” Nellie dies in the house, yes (murdered by her mother), but the house didn’t kill Arthur. Nellie wanted to blame the House, but it was a “wayward, tragic event”, just like all the other horrors “out there, in the night, in the dark”. The house DOES protect them from all of that, it just does it too well. I think the real “horror” of the House, though, is the idea that it traps those spirits inside its walls forever. The implication of that being that they don’t seem to go to the “same place” as loved ones who haven’t died in the house. Nell tells us that she saw the Bent Neck Lady throughout her life until she met Arthur, “and she went away”. But we know the Bent Neck Lady is Nell viewing herself at different stages of her life. This means she deliberately never went to “haunt” her time with Arthur because the pain of seeing him alive, and being without him in the afterlife, is too much for the Bent Neck Lady to bear. (She’s been haunted by the loss of Arthur, the “wish” to be with him again, since before she even met him.) Ultimately, I think this implication is the reason Flanagan changed his original ending. (You know that scene where they’re celebrating Luke’s 2 year anniversary? Originally, he wanted to put the “window” in the background so that it would imply that they were all still trapped in the Red Room.) I think once people figured out that it meant that Shirley would never see Kevin or her kids again, and that Steven would never reconcile with Leigh even in the afterlife; Flanagan thought: “Yeah, that really fucks over all of these other characters somewhat needlessly.” Now, of course, there’s the whole “stomach” thing. However, I wouldn’t expect Nell to have a favorable view of the place considering she was lured there under false pretenses and killed by her mother, but none of that was motivated by malice. Nell doesn’t get eaten by the piano (spoilers for a Japanese movie), and Clara seems to be very confused as to where the monsters actually are. She insists that the monster is out there; “it eats and it doesn’t care that they’re innocent”, but she also wants the House to “starve”. Nell says that she’s been “swallowed whole by a monster”, and the monster “feels her tiny little movements”. I don’t know about you, but when I eat something, I don’t feel it moving around inside me (and if I did I would go to the hospital). There is another relationship, however, that displays similar characteristics, and that’s the relationship between a mother and her unborn child. “Feel that?” Leigh asked. The Red Room being the womb of the house also tracks with other parts of the story. Clara’s first daughter being stillborn is a big hint (sometimes you can’t protect them no matter how close you keep them). Joey’s relapse would be another. Luke tells her: “You’re nine months clean. That’s full term. That’s a fully formed little baby,” and that’s when she gets that far off look in her eyes. She talked about kids at Steve’s place, and I think the realization that she had 9 months “clean” put the idea in her head of: “And what do I have to show for it.” Finally, Steve’s transgression, denying his wife even the opportunity to have a child, is ultimately seen as the greatest crime of the whole series (and deservedly so, but it was also tragic because his intentions were honorable). The scene with Olivia “visiting” Steve in the fertility clinic? Yonic symbolism is definitely not unheard of in horror (shoutout to all my “Leslie Vernon” fans out there). So, in the end, I don’t think the House is evil. A woman that drowns her kid in the bathtub because she’s out of her mind isn’t “evil”, she’s just sick. What the House (and Olivia) do is horrifyingly SAD, yes, but the cruelty in the show was almost all self-inflicted. Ultimately, this tracks perfectly with Flanagan and his experience with addiction issues. Luke is a junkie that’s been known to steal from and lie to his family, but we don’t think he’s “evil”. Hell, in the end, saving Luke, redeeming him, becomes one of the central plots of the story, and we ALL celebrated his 2 year anniversary “together”. Love can be terrifying, but I can’t quite bring myself to call it “evil”. (p.s. I’ve watched this series a thousand times, but it was fun seeing what you thought of it. If you’ve read this far [no one has], thanks for letting me share my thoughts. I’ve obviously had a lot of them.)

Matthew Clark

Really picks up at episode 4.

Chris Thom

Never worry about the emotions Cassie; I cried with you and others that reacted to Hill House. This is a good thing. This reaction to the series was everything I hoped for... I guess I'll just leave that there.

Michael Labs

Oh my gosh…😢😣🥹

Dan M

Agreed about Cassie's reactions being honest reactions... not all the reactors are that way and those that aren't have no staying power with me.

Michael Labs

I'm actually watching midnight mass for the first time it's definitely moving at a slow pace but interesting.

JohnnyUtah

What a trooper! I knew you could do it. I was so impressed with how they tied everything together and that's why for me it's a must watch every October.

JohnnyUtah

The final episode was not what I was expecting. I thought the show was heading towards an “It” style ending, with the kids, now adults, returning to the house that they spent most of their lives pretending wasn’t haunted, and that there would be some kind of really terrifying battle to defeat the house. I was looking forward to Steve and Shirley, who had been the most staunch non-believers, finally seeing the house for what it truly was, a living and breathing evil force that grabbed onto them as kids and never let go for 30 years. The final episode, did give me most of what I wanted, just not in the horrifying or terrifying way that most people were describing this show. When the show first aired in 2018, I remembered hearing a review saying that people or at least someone threw up from watching this show. Everyone was saying it was the scariest thing on TV. I thought I needed to be in the right mood to watch this, so I waited for the right mood. That wound up being this month. There were plenty of great jump scares, for sure. But, I found this show overall to be more dramatic than horrific. I was fine with that. Cassie’s right, you do get invested in this family and their drama, and I found myself being more interested in that most of the time, rather than the horror elements. Given everything that I had heard about this show, and the scariness of it, I kept waiting for that really terrifying point in the story, when everyone’s lives were up in the air, and you didn’t know how it was going to end, and the house would just let loose all of its Evil. I thought this must be going to happen in the final episode. It didn’t happen that way. That final episode was almost completely Drama. On my second view of the last episode, with the reaction, I realized I must have zoned out during some parts, because some of it seemed new to me. In the shows defense, episode 9, went hard on the House Horror. But I didn’t expect the last episode to only go deep into the Family’s and everyone’s Personal Horror. The house somehow became way less scary in the final episode, and became a place of “peace” almost, for the Crains and Dudleys. Overall I liked the series, and I would recommend it to someone, but the final episode was a bit of a mixed bag, for me. I liked the ending of the Family Drama, just not what I expected. I probably need to give it another watch one day. The writing got very Poetic in the Finale. That usually means you have to let it sink in. I loved watching the older actors in this. Especially Annabeth Gish and Carla Gugino. I’ve grown up watching them all my life, and in an industry that sometimes has shorter career spans for actresses, it was a delight to see them on the screen together, bouncing these terrific monologues off of one another, after more than 30 years of steadily working. If anyone’s interested in seeing any of these actors when they were younger, I recommend… for Annabeth Gish… Hiding Out (1987)… with Jon Cryer and Keith Coogan Shag (1988)… with Phoebe Cates and Bridget Fonda Mystic Pizza (1988)… with Julia Roberts and Lili Taylor Wyatt Earp (1994)… Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp The Last Supper (1995)… with Cameron Diaz and others. for Carla Gugino… Troop Beverly Hills (1989)… with Shelley Long and Craig T. Nelson Miami Rhapsody (1995)… with Sarah Jessica Parker and Antonio Banderas Snake Eyes (1998)… with Nicolas Cage and Gary Sinise for Timothy Hutton… Ordinary People (1980)… directed by Robert Redford Taps (1981)… with Sean Penn and Tom Cruise Made in Heaven (1987)… with Kelly McGillis and for one featuring an earlier pairing of Timothy Hutton and Annabeth Gish… Beautiful Girls (1996)… with Matt Dillon and many many more familiar faces. Written by Scott Rosenberg, who also wrote Con Air (1997), Disturbing Behavior (1998), High Fidelity (2000), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017). Thanks Cassie. This was a terrific show, and a terrific reaction. Your emotions are the reason many of us are here. No need to apologize. You can rest assured… you weren’t crying alone. ;-) One last thing… If you’ll allow me to throw in a recommendation for next scary season… or anytime of the year really… Stephen King’s The Stand miniseries from 1994. It’s only 6 hours long. It’s also one of the best miniseries ever made. Thanks Again. (-: Oh Crap Edit :-) Forgot to recommend, as others have been, the original film version of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House… The Haunting (1963) This film is one of the greatest haunted house films ever made, and I’d say one of the best films from the 60s. The story of this film and the novel are a bit different, as the 2018 miniseries was a “re-telling.” But many of the names of the characters will be familiar. Oh, and did someone mention back in the comments for episode 5, that the actor playing Nell’s therapist, Russ Tamblyn, also played Luke in the 1963 film? And did you know he was the father of actress Amber Tamblyn, from Joan of Arcadia and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants? That’s it. I’m done. ;-)

Larry Darrell

True. And I guess Steve would never sell it. Seems like the family lost financially by keeping the house.

Clay F

My favorite thing ever to appear on Netflix. This was at least my 5th viewing. That said, Mike Flanagan’s other shows are also great. The Haunting of Bly Manor has a similar vibe. Midnight Mass is so much slower moving, but still great. The Fall of the House of Usher might be the biggest mind fuck out of all of them. Certainly have options for Scary but not too scary 2025.

Shad Kanyak

She doesn't become herself at the end because she needs her line, so by him staying behind, she does become herself. He fixed it. I rewatch this every year, truly the goat.

Fourleaf Sober

Thanks Clarence and Gray 👍

Julien

IMO Mike Flanagan is the best maker of scary movie / TV shows right now.

Stick Figure Studios

Not as long as Steven owns it.

Stick Figure Studios

Olivia is intelligent, articulate, and so pretty. Unfortunately, Olivia overwhelmingly influenced by the creepy house. Theo is an interesting character and a looker. Timothy Hutton (played the older dad) gave a nuanced performance. Steve's wife becoming pregnant was a nice touch. I guess Steve got a vasectomy reversal. I like Michiel Huisman who played the older Steve. He was good in Guernsey (2018). E9 was sad for you. You were ready for the series to be over with some reasonable resolution. I too wanted the house gone. But there is the promise. One of my favorite aspects was Luke not dying, and having the 2-yr clean cake near the end of E10. Hopefully, another family doesn't move into Hill House to renovate the house. Ouch.

Clay F

A big +1 for "Sharp Objects" (2018) (8 episodes) starring Amy Adams.

Clay F

I think I'd have Hill House and Midnight Mass tied. Then Usher. Then Bly. House of Usher is more quick and dirty and less emotional, and more karmic.

Chris Thom

Sharp Objects would be a good one. Has kind of a swealtery summer vibe to it. Maybe in July.

Chris Thom

Yay I'm glad you enjoyed it. It does put you through the emotional ringer. But it's a fantastic series. Mike Flannagan is an uber talented director and writer. And his casts are always incredible.

Chris Thom

Agree 100%. The original movie, “The Haunting” (1963) is one of the best, if not the best, haunted house movies of all time. It also follows the book much more closely. The remake in the late 90s was garbage intended for those incapable of enjoying a movie without CGI. And this series was great, until the last episode when it fell apart. It feels very much like a series that got changed due to test audience reaction to that last episode. Too bad, until then it was superb.

Just Plain Bob

Good job Cassie

Ginko

Finally I can speak my peace! I didn't know if I would like this show. My mother saw the original film at a festival while she was pregnant with me and was so terrified that she peed herself.... so it's always held a special place in my heart😂 I didn't like the 1999 remake at all because the original subtleties and creepiness of the story was lost in the overblown rewrite and massive cgi effects. I had a lot of trepidation for this miniseries because I knew it was going to be a "retelling". It turned out to be a pleasant surprise, being clever and very well made, and I was fully drawn in... all the way up to the final episode which fell completely flat for me. The happy little spook community was frankly INSULTING and ruined the entire project imo. The idea isn't even original and just seems like a rip off from American Horror Story: Murder House. Very disappointing. In spite of that, episodes 1-9 are so well done, I enjoyed rewatching it as a reaction. Will probablly never watch it again in coming years though.

BRT

Wow! Thank you for the early drop this will make Halloween night extra buttery

Danny

Wow, what a great show. Now I know why Quentin Tarantino said at one point that this was his favorite series on Netflix.

Scott Curry

I want to watch this tonight, but I’m so exhausted I think it will have to wait until the weekend. Can’t wait. I love this show.

bknsty14

No I also love Midnight Mass and Usher more than any of the others, But I'm willing to bet Bly Manor is more her thing.

aarswft

So many questions are answered if we all would just read the descriptions on her posts😂

Cole Jennett

It was a first time series watch for me. I really enjoyed it too. I never would have expected there to be such great writing and acting in a horror series. I’m not going to be seeking out the other projects until Cassie does, but I am extremely surprised it was as good as it was.

Cole Jennett

You don't have to apologize for being emotional, Cassie. That's what Mike Flanagan does. He scares the snot out of you, but then he moves you to tears with his depth and his honesty and his humanity. I think he is the best maker of scary movies / TV working now. So glad you made it through this whole show. I was confident that when all was said and done, you would be satisfied by the ending and wouldn't regret taking the journey. Well done. Looking forward now to BIG FISH.

Stick Figure Studios

Personally, I wasn't as enamored of BLY MANOR or MIDNIGHT CLUB as I was of this one or FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER or MIDNIGHT MASS (which I think is the best thing Mike flanigan has done yet).

Stick Figure Studios

You were emotional because you’re a mom. As a dad of 5, this show affected me in a very similar way. You want to calm, soothe and protect. Never apologize for your reactions. As I have said to you and other reactors, your honest emotions while watching is why we continue to watch along with you. Happy Halloween! Have a great time with your family

Justtired

You've had your fill this Halloween, but I really hope you give Haunting of Bly Manor a shot next year. Same cast and crew, different story. More of a love story. I really think you'll enjoy it more.

aarswft

It was great to revisit this show with Cassie. She adds a little emotional depth to my rewatch

Wes

Okay…this is probably going to be a rough way to close out Halloween and the month of October, but I’m here for it. And Cassie…please don’t apologize for being emotional. I think we’re all here because of how emotional and invested you are in your reactions and commentary. I’ve seen reactors who don’t react much at all, and they really pale in comparison to you.

Dan M

THANK YOU. For not making me wait till Sunday👻

Modders

I agree Midnight Mass is very close 2nd after Hill house

TinCan Cosmanaut

This is gonna be the nightcap to my Halloween festivities. Can’t wait.

Will C

Why does Cassie apologize for getting emotional? I love when she shows emotion

V M

Can we get a reaction video to a supercut of all the hidden ghosts? I feel discovering those little details enriches the experience.

Jack Batongbakal

in the next few days 3 - 10 will be on yt, it's in description for The Cabin In The Woods reaction

Gray

Life got in the way and she got a bit behind with Hill House, Julien. She said in the last Upcoming post that 3-10 will be posted to YT next week in one long video.

Clarence Newman

I agree. Midnight Mass is Mike Flanagan’s masterpiece.

Blake Evans

Read her recent posts...all is explained.

Joe

I think MIDNIGHT MASS is the best thing Mike Flanagan has yet done. It also moved me to tears.

Stick Figure Studios

Only episodes 1-2 have been edited and that was a whole month ago. Any thoughts on when the rest will follow? I'm literally just asking for an update.

Julien

You need to do MIDNIGHT MASS next year. As good as HILL HOUSE is, MIDNIGHT MASS is next level.

Matt Rose

I think you could do more tv mini series, they have a finite length and you can become deeply immersed like you have been with this. Sharp Objects, would be my vote.

rakesh

Every Halloween season my family watches horror films. This season thanks to you Cassie. We watched the haunting of Hill House. It was so well done thank you.! PS your reactions were exactly how we felt watching this show.

Doc Larry


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