The latest horror series to hit Netflix, inspired by the macabre genius of Edgar Allan Poe, has set viewers’ nerves on edge. As “The Fall of the House of Usher” reaches its chilling conclusion, the once-concealed darkness shrouding the Usher family’s fame and fortune is finally unveiled.
Contents
A Gothic Transformation
Mike Flanagan’s newest horror series takes one of Poe’s most gothic narratives and transforms it into a gripping, enigmatic thriller. Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood) and his twin sister Madeline (Mary McDonnell) have transcended their humble origins, rising to become the influential CEOs of Fortunata Pharmaceuticals. But the question that looms large is, how did they achieve this?
The Enigmatic Demise of Usher Offspring
The heart of the series harbors an enigma that haunts Roderick’s every step: a series of gruesome yet seemingly explainable deaths afflicts each of his children. What ominous secret do Roderick and Madeline conceal, causing their family’s legacy to crumble into oblivion?
Verna: The Mysterious Link
At the core of this tragedy lies an enigmatic woman named Verna (Carla Gugino). It isn’t until “The Fall of the House of Usher” reaches its gripping conclusion that the veil over the Ushers’ sordid deeds is lifted. Brace yourself; we’re entering spoiler territory.
A Pact With Darkness
In the series finale, it is revealed that Roderick and Madeline struck a sinister deal with Verna on a fateful New Year’s night in the early ’80s. This nefarious pact was their ticket to evade justice for the unspeakable fate that befell Rufus Wilmot Griswold (Michael Trucco). It also secured them a life of privilege.
Behind Closed Doors
Throughout the series, audiences are treated to flashbacks, shedding light on what led to the deaths of each Usher child. Simultaneously, in the present timeline, Roderick opens up to C. Auguste Dupin (Carl Lumbly) about the shocking truth.
Central to every twisted tale is Verna, the enigmatic figure who only Roderick and Madeline can truly comprehend. These flashbacks also unveil the Ushers’ ascent within Fortunato Pharmaceuticals and the heinous crime they perpetrated.
An Unsettling Revelation
In the series’ culmination, it is exposed that they had imprisoned Fortunato’s top executive, Rufus Wilmot Griswold, behind a concealed wall in the company’s basement. This malevolent act was concealed by a grand New Year’s party occurring above.
In search of an alibi, they stumbled into a bar they had never seen before, where they met Verna. Their camaraderie with Verna, as the night unfolded, led to a sinister offer. She pledged that they would remain free from repercussions for their deeds and live a life of opulence. In return, the Usher bloodline was doomed to depart together.
The Price of the Pact
The demise of each Usher child finds its roots in the ominous pact with Verna. She appears to be a form of demon or devil incarnate. Her agreement’s consequences have come to pass, and the Usher family must now pay the dreadful price.
Roderick’s affliction isn’t the sole reason he encounters apparitions of his deceased family; it’s also the weight of guilt from the diabolical deal they struck.
The Final Chapter
In the cataclysmic climax of “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Roderick and Madeline meet their gruesome and chaotic ends, ultimately putting an end to Verna’s nefarious bargain.
The Dark Origin Story
In the conclusion of “The Fall of the House of Usher,” the narrative delves further back in time, before Auguste crosses paths with Roderick at their childhood residence. Madeline joins Auguste in the basement for a drink, but soon realizes that her drink has been spiked.
Desperate to protect his beloved sister, Roderick resorts to mummification artifacts, orchestrating her departure with an eerie grandeur, akin to Egyptian rituals. However, eerie sounds emanate from the basement, planting doubts in Auguste’s mind.
A Gruesome Revelation
Auguste questions whether Madeline is truly deceased, suspecting she may have inherited their mother’s affliction. Reveling in the realization of their wicked deeds, Madeline emerges with her eyes gouged out, launching a gruesome assault on her brother.
This ghastly scene mirrors the series’ opening and the resurrection of their mother, who had previously risen from the dead and attacked the founder of Fortunato, their real father.
The End of an Era
Their childhood home collapses around them, spelling the end of the Usher bloodline. In the aftermath, Juno (Ruth Codd) inherits the company, dissolves it, and establishes a rehabilitation organization.
Arthur Pym (Mark Hamill) faces arrest for the malevolent deeds of the Ushers and the company over the years. As the dust settles, all the Ushers meet their demise, and the series concludes with a haunting visit from Verna to their graves.
