First things first:
- Edgar Allan Poe was an American author (1809-1849) who shaped the short story genre, known especially for horror and gothic literature.
- His short story “The Fall of the House of Usher” was first published in 1839 and belongs to the horror genre.
- The Netflix adaptation sets the story in a modern context while also incorporating other works of Poe.
Who was Edgar Allan Poe?
The inspiration for this article is the Netflix series The Fall of the House of Usher (2023). While the title comes from Poe’s short story, the series only loosely follows its plot, blending elements from other well-known works by Poe, will also be included in this article.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American author celebrated for his (short) stories in the genres of (supernatural) horror and mystery, often including occult and satanic themes inspired by his feverish dreams. Among his most famous works are:
Novel: “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym”
Short stories: “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Masque of the Red Death”
Poems: “The Raven”, “Annabel Lee”
The short story “The Fall of the House of Usher”
The short story, first published in 1839, belongs to the horror genre. Below, we provide a summary and connect it to the modern Netflix adaptation.
Note: The following contains spoilers, although the ending of the Netflix series will not be revealed.
The story is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who visits his old friend Roderick Usher, who appears to be in poor health. The narrator knows little about Roderick other than that he comes from a wealthy family and resides in a mansion with an eerie atmosphere. Roderick suffers from unusual symptoms, like hypersensitivity to light and certain fabrics. He expresses concern that the house itself seems to be conscious and have a will of its own and reveals that his twin sister, Madeline, seems gravely ill and might die soon. After a few days, Madeline passes away and they bury her, which devastates Roderick and further drives him into madness.
The narrator is understandably affected by the unnerving atmosphere and Roderick’s condition, and suffers from insomnia as well. A few days later, Roderick’s condition has worsened, and things are getting creepier in the mansion, for example, the house is encompassed by a weird glow and strange noises can be heard. Soon, Roderick becomes convinced that they buried Madeline alive, a fear proven true when Madeline returns and eventually kills him. The narrator escapes unharmed from the horrific scene, and the family’s mansion collapses, burying the siblings beneath its ruins.
The modern Netflix adaptation
Produced by Mike Flanagan (known for “Midnight Mass” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor”), the series premiered in October 2023. Notable actors include Mark Hamill and Carla Gugino. The plot loosely follows “The Fall of the House of Usher” in a modern setting, but each episode also references other Poe stories, weaving them into the main storyline. In the following, a few plot points will be discussed.
The central narrative revolves around Roderick and Madeline Usher, who lead a corrupt family business. The series is structured through flashbacks as Roderick recounts his story to lawyer Dupin. While telling his story, he suffers from terrifying hallucinations, and strange noises echo through the house, closely paralleling Poe’s original tale.
Differences and parallels to the original
The series doesn’t solely focus on the plot and characters from “The Fall of the House of Usher”; characters and storylines from other Poe works are seamlessly integrated. The narrator from the short story is portrayed by Auguste Dupin, an attorney (and detective in Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”), who works against the Ushers in the series, trying to bring them to justice. The third episode is even titled after this famous story.
Arthur Pym, played by Mark Hamill, serves as the Ushers’ lawyer, helping investigate family deaths while protecting the family. In Poe’s “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym”, Pym is the protagonist, but here, he takes on a new role with a fresh backstory.
In the short story, little is known about the past lives of Roderick and Madeline, whereas the series dives into their histories. Some motifs are included, such as the theme of premature burial: as children, they buried their mother alive in the garden. The series also explores their close sibling relationship and mysterious past, detailing how they built their vast empire.
The bittersweet poems “Annabel Lee” and “The Raven” by Poe were also woven into dialogues. The characters quote parts of the poems that fit into the plot thematically: “Annabel Lee” for a lost love of Roderick and “The Raven” as a melancholic farewell in the last episode.
Tensions within the family and revelations of murders and dark secrets fuel the series. Viewers are drawn between sympathy and disdain as secrets involving cruel animal experiments, illegal chemicals, and murder reveal the family’s corruption, ruthlessness, and brutality. It becomes clear that the company is built on the suffering of others and for the benefit of the family. The show reimagines Poe’s timeless works in a modern light, paying homage to his legacy.
Sources:
- The Fall of the House of Usher | Summary, Characters, Themes, & Facts | Britannica
- Edgar Allan Poe | Biography, Poems, Short Stories, & Facts | Britannica
- Der Untergang des Hauses Usher | Moviepilot
- Der Untergang des Hauses Usher: Episode 1 und der Titel der Netflix-Serie erklärt – so hängt alles mit Edgar Allan Poe zusammen | NETZWELT
- “The Fall of the House of Usher” (2023) – Netflix
- “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839) – Edgar Allan Poe
Frequently asked questions
Who was Edgar Allan Poe?
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author (1809-1849) best known for his short stories in the genre of horror and gothic literature.
What is Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" about?
In this story, the narrator visits his friend Roderick Usher, who is slowly descending into madness. In the end, the house symbolically collapses, burying the family within it.
How does the Netflix adaptation incorporate Poe’s works?
The series loosely adapts “The Fall of the House of Usher” while integrating other Poe works, such as “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee”, into the modern storyline.
What themes characterize Edgar Allan Poe's writing?
Poe’s works are known for their dark, occult themes centered on horror, madness, death, and the supernatural.
How is Roderick Usher portrayed in the Netflix series?
In the Netflix adaptation, Roderick Usher heads a corrupt corporation, with his family’s dark secrets revealed through flashbacks and ominous happenings in the house.
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