The Sibling Deaths In ‘The Fall of The House of Usher’, Ranked
Zofia Wijaszka
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This article contains spoilers for Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of The House of Usher.
Generational trauma and legacy in and of itself are loaded with complex issues. Naturally, Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass (amongst many more), takes those topics and weaponizes them utilizing paranormal elements, gruesome scenes, and deliciously wicked characters. The newest Netflix Original from the contemporary horror genius, The Fall of the House of Usher, is a gothic horror family drama with a modern twist. Flanagan uses his rotating cast and a few new faces as he inspires the show’s narrative with the works of Edgar Allan Poe, creating impressive slow burn, packed macabre death scenes. But which death scenes were the most memorable when it comes to the Usher siblings? And how do they relate to the works of Poe?
7. Acid Rain – Prospero “Perry” Usher
Perry, played by Sauriyan Sapkota, meets his ill and, perhaps one of the worst, fate in episode two titled “The Masque of the Red Death”. The youngest Usher continuously tries to prove his worth to his father, Roderick (Bruce Greenwood), eventually deciding to throw the greatest party at one of the Usher patriarch’s abandoned factories. The party and, eventually, Perry’s fall become remarkable not only because the character is the first victim collected by Verna (Carla Gugino), but also because of the gruesome manner of his demise. The mysterious woman, aka Verna, in a skull mask, causes the building’s sprinklers to rain acid down on the partygoers, at the very climax of Perry’s rager. In seconds, everybody literally melts. We can’t discern where one human ends and another begins. Almost all the guests instantly turn into a mush of blood and guts, Perry included.
The episode title itself is a reference to Edgar Allan Poe’s horror story “The Masque of The Red Death”. Upon reading it, it’s clear that Flanagan was greatly inspired by the short story, giving the Red Death a different… more acidic feeling.
6. Wrecking Ball – Frederick Usher
The eldest child of Roderick, Frederick (Henry Thomas), meets his end as one of the last, in episode seven titled “The Pit and the Pendulum”. His death leaves the viewer with a strange sense of indifference due to what Frederick does to his wife, Morella (Crystal Balint) as he slowly descends into madness filled with guilt, grief, and jealousy. Thomas’ character suspects his wife is cheating on him. Those feelings only intensify after Morella attends Perry’s famous rager and gets seriously burned. Frederick takes over her burn care, but not from the goodness of his heart.
Instead, he means to punish her. He goes as far as drugging his wife and plucking out her teeth with pliers with a slow but steady growing wrath. While his daughter Lenore (Kyliegh Curran) becomes suspicious and investigates Morella’s whereabouts, Frederick is charged with demolishing the warehouse where Perry held the party. That’s when Verna comes in and effectively confines him inside while the crew demolishes the structure and a piece of metal swings back and forth until it cuts the eldest Usher sibling in half.
The scene is not only inexplicably gory, but it’s oddly satisfying. In a way, it makes us question our own humanity. Were we happy to see him die because he was fundamentally an evil man? Frederick’s character, or rather his death, is also inspired by Poe’s short story and this episode’s namesake. Flanagan takes the idea of the pendulum slowly cutting through the flesh back and forth and visualizes it in The Fall of The House of Usher.
5. Chimpanzee Demise – Camille L’Espanaye
The relationship between Camille (Kate Siegel) and Victorine (T’Nia Miller) is a perfect illustration of a strained sisterly bond. Grudges fester in Camille’s already rotten spirit as she ventures to Vic’s research center to dig up more dirt on her sister’s unethical studies. Camille doesn’t know this will be her last and only venture as Verna pays her a visit. Shortly after, Camille is attacked by chimps sent by Gugino’s character; or rather, Verna becomes a chimpanzee who desires that Usher’s blood. If you thought about Jordan Peele’s Nope when seeing this death scene, you’re not alone. Additionally, it’s similarly impressive when Siegel’s character meets her long-foretold fate.
This episode of The Fall of The House of Usher is based on Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, a short story also featuring Detective Dupin, who’s portrayed by Carl Lumbly in the show. Per the short story, nobody can believe chimps could sow fear and murder amongst people, but this is the pure truth. In a way, both the short story and this particular character showcase that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
4. Treacherous Mirrors – Tamerlane Usher
Everything in Tamerlane’s life (Samantha Sloyan) has to be perfect; yet, in every family, there are always secrets. While attempting to satiate her sexual fantasies with her husband and a found escort, who, of course, is Verna in disguise, jealousy soon takes over Tamerlane’s thoughts. The woman continually sees Verna everywhere; she doesn’t even leave her thoughts while Tamerlane prepares for the debut of her company called Goldbug.
But Verna doesn’t go away. She appears, first, in the presentation, then the audience, and later on, on every reflecting surface. Desperate Tamerlane follows “reflection Verna” with a fire poker, smashing nearly all of the mirrors, and ultimately hitting the mirrored ceiling above her bed. As one could suppose, sharp shards of the ceiling mirror tumble down and stab her to Morpheus’ eternal sleep.
Poe does, in fact, have a short story called “The Gold-Bug,” which is the name of Tamerlane’s company, but the similarities end there. It appears that his work titled “William Wilson” most closely parallels the aforementioned episode. Both Tamerlane’s storyline and the short story carry a similar sentiment: you can never escape your conscience or your inner moral voice. If you try to suppress your conscience, it will only become stronger.
3. Catty Revenge – Napoleon “Leo” Usher
Leo’s impending fall (Rahul Kohli) is rather similar to Tamerlane’s. Something comes and haunts him to the point of Leo descending into madness. But unlike Tamerlane’s mirror situation, it’s a black cat. After Leo wakes up from an all-night bender fueled by alcohol and drugs with bloodstained hands, he is terrified to find his boyfriend Julius’ cat stabbed to death. Choosing the path of a lie, Leo adopts a new cat that resembles the first one. The person assisting him with the adoption is, of course, one of the many versions of Verna.
Shortly after, Leo begins to have horrific visions while being attacked by the cat and finding dead animals around the apartment. Leo slowly spirals into madness, eventually resorting to wielding the actual Thor’s hammer to kill the cat (fun fact: a hammer is a present from Chris Hemsworth). The man then proceeds to tear his apartment apart in search of the cat. In a blind rage, Leo thinks he sees the cat out on his balcony and runs after it in a rage… Only to go off the ledge and fall to his death, right there on the street.
Poe’s story titled “The Black Cat” is the inspiration for Leo’s storyline. Describing a story of an animal lover who turns to animal abuse, it may also remind you of Tales From The Crypt‘s episode from season 1 titled “Collection Completed”. In short, all the stories, whether the one in the short story or presented by Flanagan, are meant to convey one message—don’t abuse animals and beings smaller than you!
2. Mechanic Heart – Victorine “Vic” Lafourcade
It’s remarkable to be an engineer or a scientist but it’s even more impressive if you’re a good one. Unfortunately, Vic isn’t among those who are altruistic people trying to change the world. One of the so-called “Usher bastards” walks over people towards her goals, even if they are the most unethical. Only the end result is important to Vic—no matter how many human and animal lives the scientist takes. Initially amazed by Vic’s mind, even her partner in the laboratory and life, Alessandra (Paola Núñez), cannot adopt all of Victorine’s insane ideas and unhealthy desire for success.
Miller’s character shows the greed of big-minded people that sometimes may cloud their judgment. Eventually, Victorine drives herself crazy until she commits unspeakable acts to the woman she loves and then herself. This all happens under the watchful eyes of Verna, who disguises herself as a patient ready for a medical trial.
Based on Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”, the short story somehow completes the picture. Just like the unnamed narrator, Victorine wholeheartedly believes she’s not doing anything wrong and tries to find excuses for murder while the rhythmic beating of a mechanic heart—Victorine’s invention— is her eventual demise.
1. The Raven – Lenore Usher
Many agree that Lenore’s forthcoming death in The Fall of The House of Usher is one of the saddest, most unjust moments. Portrayed by Curran, the youngest of the Usher clan and a granddaughter to Roderick certainly doesn’t deserve to die. Even the patriarch considers her to be “the best of the Ushers”. Not only does she not know what’s coming, but Lenore is also the only one of the Ushers who seems to have an iota of goodness in her heart and a hatred for the greed of her relatives. She also directly helps her mother after suspecting Frederick and his abuse.
Although we would love for it to happen, Lenore is still an Usher, and no exceptions can be made to a deal made by Roderick and Verna a long time ago. For Verna, aka The Raven (fun fact: the character’s name is the anagram of the word “Raven”), this is the most unpleasant thing to do and she even admits so. The woman tells Lenore about all the good her mother will accomplish in the future because of Lenore’s bravery in saving her mother. Lenore is only 16 years old and there is a time for her to fall as well. We can feel Verna’s anguish in the scene; Lenore’s death represents the fragility of life, the unfairness of it all, and the fact that death might come unexpectedly even when we aren’t prepared.
The episode finale is another one that draws inspiration from a variety of Poe stories, not just one. The title of the episode is also the title of one of Poe’s poems, “The Raven”. In the show, this reference alludes to Lenore’s untimely departure. Poe intended the Raven to represent “mournful, never-ending remembrance”. It fits perfectly with Lenore’s gentle nature as this is how we want to remember this character.
Many viewers also noticed how each Usher matches one of seven deadly sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. Although Flanagan debunked that theory, it’s intriguing to see the audience reading so many different things between the lines of the show. Overall, one cannot say that Flanagan’s newest for Netflix isn’t gory or terrifying, or even thought-provoking, even long after viewing. If only, the above dissected death scenes prove it further just how much thought, love, and passion was put into the show. Each moment of demise for the Usher family member is a memorable moment for the audience. Maybe deals with the Raven shouldn’t be considered at all. After all, the family in question is a perfect example of that.
The Fall of The House of Usher is streaming now on Netflix.
Categorized:Editorials
