Stephen King hails Flanagan as Tarantino of horror after Usher

Stephen King has offered high praise for Mike Flanagan’s work beyond their long-running collaboration, calling Flanagan “the Quentin Tarantino of horror” after finally catching The Fall of the House of Usher. King’s remarks, shared publicly after his hip surgery delayed his viewing, describe the Netflix limited series as scary, involving, and witty, signaling a strong endorsement from the author whose work Flanagan has repeatedly adapted over the years.

The eight-episode Usher adaptation sits at the center of Flanagan’s evolving relationship with horror and prestige streaming. The show reimagines Edgar Allan Poe’s Gothic tale through a contemporary lens, weaving in broader Poe motifs and satirical commentary on power and corruption. Its ensemble cast features frequent Flanagan collaborators, including Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, and Kate Siegel, with newcomers such as Mary McDonnell and Mark Hamill joining the sprawling ensemble. The series drew strong critical and audience responses, posting a critics’ approval around 91 percent and an audience rating near 81 percent. It also gained notable traction in viewership, debuting with about 6.3 million streams in its...