“The Fall of the House of Usher” is Netflix’s buzziest new release this month, so it makes sense that the Edgar Allan Poe short story it’s based off of is also having a moment.
The book, which was published in 1839, is trending on Google following the inspired series’ debut on Thursday night. Donning the same title, the horror series follows sibling duo Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline Usher (Mary McDonnell), who are at the front of their Fortunato Pharmaceuticals empire. Together, the Ushers have established an empire of wealth, privilege and power — but at a cost.
The family’s dark, shady past seemingly comes to light as heirs from the dynasty begin dying at the hands of a mysterious woman from their youth. The first trailer gave audiences a glimpse at the gruesome killings to come, at the hands of a haunting woman who shares grievances with the family from events in their younger years.
Poe’s short story was first published in 1839 in “Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine,” then included in the collection “Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque” in 1840. It is considered a work of Gothic fiction, with themes of madness, family, isolation, and metaphysical identities, which are also likely to be themes in the new series.
In her review, Variety TV critic Aramide Tinubu writes that that Netflix show is “a stunning use of Poe’s work as the Cliffs Notes to his own majestic, intricate brand of storytelling” and “showcases what the 1% is willing to sacrifice to remain in high places.”
— Variety