Stephen King Hails Horror Director as the Quentin Tarantino of TV for 91% Rotten Tomatoes Hit
Mike Flanagan has a track record of turning King’s work into successful movies and series. Now, King is praising Flanagan for something a little different: his adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher.
The series debuted on Netflix in 2023 and quickly made a mark with critics. It holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. King recently shared his thoughts about it on X, writing:
“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Netflix): I missed this when it bowed due to hip surgery, but this is a case of delayed gratification. Scary, involving, with writing that’s witty and moves the plot. There’s a case to be made for Mike Flanagan being the Quentin Tarantino of horror.”
The show tells Poe’s classic story through Flanagan’s dark, modern lens. It was an immediate hit with viewers as well. During its debut week, it drew 6 million views, making it the most-watched English-language fiction series on Netflix and the third overall after Lupin and Beckham. By the second week, it climbed to second place with 7.9 million views.
Critics have praised the series for its direction, production design, and performances. Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, and Mark Hamill received particular attention for their roles.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the show has an average score of 7.9/10 from 116 reviews, and Metacritic gives it a score of 73 out of 100, signaling generally favorable reviews. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Presenting vintage Poe stories filtered through Mike Flanagan’s deliciously dark lens, The Fall of the House of Usher will get a rise out of horror fans.”
King’s comments underscore just how much Flanagan has impressed him, even when adapting material outside of King’s own books. Fans of both horror and Poe are clearly taking notice, and the series has solidified Flanagan’s reputation as one of the most compelling directors in modern horror.
Mike Flanagan has shown he can take classic horror and make it feel fresh for today’s audiences. With King himself giving high praise, it’s hard not to get excited about what he might tackle next. What do you think about King calling Flanagan the “Quentin Tarantino of horror”? Share your thoughts in the comments.