Stephen King just gave Mike Flanagan one of the highest compliments imaginable for a horror filmmaker. After finally watching The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix, the master of horror himself took to X to share his thoughts, and yeah, they’re kind of a big deal.
“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Netflix): I missed this when it bowed due to hip surgery, but this is a case of delayed gratification,” King wrote. “Scary, involving, with writing that’s witty and moves the plot. There’s a case to be made for Mike Flanagan being the Quentin Tarantino of horror.”
Tarantino is known for his distinct storytelling voice, deep genre love, and unforgettable dialogue. It says a lot that King sees Flanagan in the same creative league, especially in the horror genre.
I loved The Fall of the House of Usher, and now after reading King’s comment, it makes me want to jump back in and watch it again.
The Netflix limited series reimagines the works of Edgar Allan Poe, blending together stories like The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Raven under the chilling framework of the The Fall of the House of Usher. The result is a wild and gruesome gothic descent packed with Flanagan’s signature slow-burn dread and rich character work.
Flanagan’s connection with King runs deep. He’s already adapted Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and his most recent film The Life of Chuck. He’s also working on new versions of Carrie and The Dark Tower, so this creative relationship clearly isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Outside of King’s world, Flanagan has made a name for himself with his incredible run on Netflix, delivering horror hits like The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass. Each of those projects brought something new to the genre while solidifying Flanagan as one of the most consistent horror storytellers working today.
Up next in the Stephen King adaptation world is The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games), which centers on a deadly endurance competition where 100 teenage boys are forced to keep walking until only one remains.
If you haven’t already watched The Fall of the House of Usher, now’s the time. Or maybe, like King, it’s a perfect excuse for some satisfying delayed gratification.
