The Fall of the House of Usher
dir. Jean Epstein · 1928
Feature
Psychological Horror
Mood
Dark / Tense
Look
expressionistic, shadow-laden cinematography with a focus on decaying architecture
Structure
linear progression with psychological depth
Plot
Convinced that his family is tainted by generations of evil, Roderick Usher is hellbent on stopping his sister Madeline’s wedding to prevent the cursed Usher bloodline from expanding. When her fiancé Allan arrives at the crumbling estate to claim his bride, Roderick goes to ruthless—even deadly—lengths to keep them apart.
Why watch
Dive into the haunting world of "The Fall of the House of Usher," where generational curses and familial obsession collide in a visually arresting exploration of psychological horror. This film's dark atmosphere and tense narrative will leave you questioning the very nature of sanity and love.
Cultural context
early 20th-century European cinemarise of avant-garde movementsadaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's work