When a fan asked if “The Fall of the House of Usher” would be an “emotional rollercoaster” like his previous shows, Flanagan took to Tumblr to warn them that this is meant to be a different experience. “This one is way more fun — much more wicked and dark and funny,” Flanagan said. “We weren’t trying for the emotional experience of the others you mentioned, this was always more rock ‘n roll.”
Indeed, in many ways, this is a darker and angrier show — and it’s all because of the Ushers themselves. Unlike Flanagan’s other projects, we’re not following a group of victims. Sure, the Ushers die off in horrible killings they are technically victims of, but they are far from innocent. This entire ensemble is despicable, and watching them die horrible deaths is rather cathartic. They are being punished, and not without reason. The children are being forced to pay for the sins of the father, but each episode makes it clear none of them are free of sin. Besides, each of them gets a chance to avoid a horrible end, but their horrible actions make their deaths equally gruesome.
So when Camille is mauled by a chimp or when Prospero dies in a horrific acid bath, it’s hard to feel bad for them. The Ushers are not like the Crains in “Hill House” or the kids in “Midnight Club,” whose deaths are tragic and sad. The Ushers are more like teenagers in a “Friday the 13th” movie, people who make us cheer when they get brutally killed. Rock ‘n roll baby.