Entre o terror e o gótico: uma análise de the fall of the house of Usher (2023), de Mike Flanagan, inspirada na obra de Edgar Allan Poe

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of the horror and gothic genres in literature and cinema, focusing on the series The Fall of the House of Usher (2023), directed by Mike Flanagan and inspired by the work of Edgar Allan Poe. The research analyzes the historical evolution of these genres and the influence of Poe, considering his seminal contribution. It is based on the studies of theorists such as Punter (1996), Vidal (1996), Baddeley (2002), Vanspanckeren (1994), Hutcheon (2013), Stam (2008), Botting (1996), Carvalhal (2006), Nitrini (1997), among others who contributed to the areas of study of this research. Using a comparative approach, the methodology includes textual analysis. The results show that the presence and interplay of horror and gothic elements in the series contribute significantly to a narrative that transcends conventional boundaries. Flanagan uses dark atmospheres, macabre settings and complex characters to create a narrative that pays homage to Poe and reinvents itself to captivate contemporary audiences. The series modernizes Poe’s gothic themes and elements, making them relevant and accessible. We identified similarities and differences between the adaptation and the original work, with Flanagan introducing new dimensions and characters, enriching the narrative. The series uses visual metaphors and innovative narratives, amplifying the emotional and psychological impact of the story. Thus, The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) is an adaptation that respects and reinvents Poe's work, mixing traditional elements of horror and gothic with contemporary innovations, celebrating his legacy and contributing to the evolution of these genres in the contemporary audiovisual scene, revealing cinema's ability to renew literary classics and maintain their relevance