The Bent-Neck Lady (2018) User Reviews (106)

I didn't cry at my wedding. I sobbed during this episode.

[nickbutler291 · 10/10 · 5 August 2019]

This was one, if not the, best episode of television I have ever seen. I created an account on IMDb just to review. The writers and film-makers were able to do one thing that pushed this particular episode from "great tv" to "master-class".

What was that one thing: They were able to truly separate "horror" from "terror."

Think about it. Nell could have walked into that house, seen a bunch of ghosts, get a bunch of jump scares, and it would have been terrifying. Even with the twist.

But what happened instead was true horror. We the audience entered that house with Nell and experienced a snapshot of the life she so desperately wanted. All her deepest wishes: to be loved, to be heard, to be home with her family. All of these were fulfilled in her last moments. Even though we know something terrible is about to happen, the beauty of that dance sequence turned this episode from what could have been great terror into true, pure horror. Setting up this terrible tragedy in the background of such beauty made this one of the best scenes on television or film I have ever seen.

Not to mention the twist. That was brilliant.

Finishing something horror with tears in the eyes... it's unique

[Relinquish_V · 10/10 · 25 December 2018]

I don't know what to say because this episode broke my heart but I'll try. Acting, the atmosphere, the writing and the god damn music (which I love it so damn much because I see a little story in every piece of music) made this an unforgettable episode. All this stuff made me feel so... so sad, I finished this depressed with my eyes in tears. Stelar in every aspect. Maybe it's not perfect but it's perfect!!!

Horror Making Seminar

[fotis_52 · 10/10 · 18 October 2018]

The last 10 minutes of the episode are the finest piece of horror I have seen for quite a while. Its actually the mix of horror and drama that make you care and feel for the characters.

A tear dropped when I realised that the scene with Nell dancing in the house was the the same scene from a previous episode that I had said 'oh look it's just a ghost in the house'...

Absolutely epic and sentimental ending to conclude Nell's arc.

Best Ending

[sarmstrong-89330 · 10/10 · 14 October 2018]

The ending of this episode was better than most horror movie endings. The episode slowly builds the tension right up until the horrific payoff at the end. This series isn't about the jump scares or predictible plot twists. It moves the viewer along with each character at a solid pace, the scares are all natural and intense. This series is really something special.

Cleverly plotted and harrowing episode

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 24 October 2020]

Nell makes her journey back to Hill House.

I won't discuss any major plot details but will say it focuses on Nell. Quite a bit of the information drip-fed to us over the previous episodes has built towards the last five or so minutes of this episode, which is a pretty unforgettable.

The themes of trauma, depression and mental health have been tackled in various forms in the series, but this episode looks at the worst type of suffering. What I find particularly harrowing is watching someone make so many futile appeals for help.

As with all episodes it contains incredibly cinematic camerawork, editing, transitions and sound effects. The colours are beautiful and the lighting is very atmospheric.

All performances are great, particularly Victoria Pendretti who gives one of the best of the series so far.

I was conflicted whether to give this a perfect 10 or not. I usually think something deserves a perfect score if I never tire of rewatching it like I found with many episodes of The Sopranos, The Wire and Deadwood, but this is not that type of show. It is driven by a mysterious plot and revelations about characters, so once certain things are revealed it removes the intrigue. However, what it did do was to make me re-examine my own attitudes towards people who might be suffering mental health issues and want to do my best to help. That for me is the most powerful aspect of The Bent-Neck Lady.

"It's time to wake up sweetheart" ..

[Aktham_Tashtush · 9/10 · 28 October 2018]

Best episode of the series so far ... Unbelievable.

The series is still acing it cinematography wise which sets a high level for such TV genre .. the building up ...and the ending was just mesmerizing ... took us back to each and every moment Nell experienced through her "Dreams" .. and now we see everything from the eyes of the Bent-Neck lady ... I paused it and i went literally speechless for a minute ...

Man Oh man it keeps getting better ,, and as i was a bit confused on the first two episodes ,, now i want to watch the whole series .. today .. not gonna sleep till i finish it ,, then see if i'll be able to sleep ;)

So many mixed feelings..

[joostvg-916-3923 · 10/10 · 31 December 2018]

After watching this episode I have so many mixed feelings and emotions. I feel sadness, I have a pain in my stomach and I feel afraid to go asleep, which I never have after watching horror because it usually doesn't bother me. Now I do since I suffer from sleep paralysis from time to time.

Brilliant story, brilliant acting. Too bad rating only goes as high as 10.

Very good episode

[Kenny918 · 9/10 · 15 October 2018]

As someone who suffered sleep paralysis frequently as a child, the portrayal in this episode is eerily accurate. For me, it was the scariest part of the episode.

One of the best tv eposodes ever

[matiasbockerman · 10/10 · 21 October 2018]

Without a doubt, this was one of the best tv eposodes entire TV history. I was moved and scared at the same time. This was perfectly written, plot was so breathtaking. Directing was something Spectacular, something unseen something new. WOW! Im absolutely speechless.

Mr. Flanagan, very well done sir.

[Warrior_Poet · 9/10 · 17 October 2018]

I've enjoyed Mike Flanagan's past efforts. There's usually something to them that elevates them a bit above the standard horror fare. But this series and this format that allows the story to breath and to evolve organically suites his skills perfectly, allowing him to take his time properly and let the story unfold naturally.

The first half of the season coalesces various character story arcs that culminates into the ending of episode 5, and what a pay off. I suspected the "twist" that's presented early on but it didn't matter. This is so effective, so simultaneously chilling and heartbreaking, that if you allow yourself to live in these characters it will sit with you long after the credits roll. No spoilers here, but even if you're not a fan of horror, watch this. Watch this now! This is horror done right.

I'm hoping the rest of the season is as well done. I suspect it will be.

Bent-Neck Lady is the best horror "movie" I've seen in years.

[MovieJournal · 9/10 · 7 March 2019]

I've just seen it again, and I felt as if this episode was almost like a stand alone, a movie in it self, a complete arc of the character Nell. Horrifying drama. Judging by this episode alone, it's the best horror "movie" I've seen in years. I hope I don't dream about this lady though.

The Bent-Neck Lady

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 4 January 2019]

I question how many of these things are just spook moments and how much play a bigger part in all of it, but this was a decent episode.

It ran for far too long, but this Nell-centric episode delivered. The big moment of her demise felt like it could have been ripped from a big budget popcorn flick.

Rewatched multiple times... and I still don't get the love for this episode

[SureCommaNot · 4/10 · 24 September 2021]

Not much happens in this episode. Victoria Pedretti is an impressive actress, especially considering this was her first time, and I really liked one hidden ghost in particular (the hands under the piano). But to me that's all that this episode really had going for it.

For me there were no real surprises (including the "twist" ending). Just a lot of missed attempts to do more with the material and the mood.

Generally I like Bly Manor a lot better than this series, and Bent-Neck Lady is my least-favorite episode.

Televisions finest hour here folks

[bhester0806 · 10/10 · 11 December 2021]

Probably the best episode in the series and probably the best episode of a lot of series. This is the turning point of the show and the catalyst of what's to come and the end of what's been.

One of the best hours of television ever written.

[SenoritaTorres · 10/10 · 20 October 2020]

The title I gave this review says it all.

Whenever I sit to watch a horror series, I find myself most often hiding behind my hands, or generally just in shocked disgust or surprise at something happening on screen. Not so the case for this show, and definitely not the case for this absolute gem of an 80 minute episode.

I mean, wow. In the space of a single hour I jumped in fright, was full of hurt and anger, shock and dismay, and finally just sobbed my eyes out. The wonderful performance of all, particularly Victoria Pedretti, really made this episode one of the most memorable and well-written episodes of television ever.

Poor Nell. All she ever really wanted was for her family to support her and be there for her. She was the baby, she was vulnerable, and she felt alone. Her brother was a drug addict and her other siblings grew up and got busy with their jobs. Nell seemed to be quite aimless in life, clearly still grieving the loss of her mother and feeling angry and betrayed by her siblings, especially her eldest brother, Steven. The voice messages she leaves and the way she confronts him made me feel so much heartache for this little lost girl. When she finally finds some real love and happiness with Arthur, it all gets taken away from her, and she sees no option but to go back to the place where her nightmares all started- Hill House. Only when she gets there...it's warm. It's inviting. Her beloved mother is there. Her husband is there. They dance while her family looks on happily. It all seems so perfect-and then...that ending.

I was just left so breathless and shocked. It's just as well the end credits were silent because I think it was fitting. When Nell (and the audience) finally learned the true identity of 'The Bent-Neck Lady" did any of us see it coming? How heartbreaking and shattering was this revelation?

It's been two years and four rewatches and every single time I find something new to praise. A masterpiece.

A Cinematic Achievement!

[egeorge585 · 10/10 · 18 October 2018]

Simultaneously beautiful and horrifying. The final 5 minutes will go down as one of the best scenes in television history with a twist ending so satisfying you won't stop thinking about it for weeks.

One of the best episodes of television I've ever seen

[aidanratesmovies · 10/10 · 30 July 2020]

There isn't words to describe this one, just know it's brilliant, and this episode alone is more than worth the watch. See it to believe it, one of the best and most brilliant works of art I have ever experienced. True genius.

Extraordinarily Powerful Emotional Impact

[deaeight · 10/10 · 23 October 2018]

By far the best hour of horror TV of all time. The Bent-Neck Lady makes the Walking Dead series look like The Happy Little Elves meet Fuzzy Snuggle Duck. Not since GoT's The Rains of Castamere & Breaking Bad's Ozymandias has an episode of TV packed such an enormous emotional punch. Be prepared to be slammed to the floor by a viciously brutal left hook before watching this episode! Absolutely incredible stuff. You won't have seen anything like it before.

Sad, scary and superb episode

[851222 · 10/10 · 20 November 2018]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"The Bent-Neck Lady", 5th episode of "The Haunting of Hill House" was sad, superbly paced and scary. It was probably the best episode so far. Maybe the very ending left me a bit confused, but it was truly a one scary ending. Acting was superb as usual as well as great directing and very solid writing.

Overall, i look forward to see next episodes as this one (as well as more or less or others) were great. This is a one high quality show.

Excellent horror

[mikecovideo · 10/10 · 4 September 2019]

This episode completely blew me away. From start to finish you are totally locked into Nell's narrative. Such deep story telling. The ending had me completely stunned.

Like most, I love to binge a great series. After this episode though I felt like I should purposely stop and reflect on what I just saw. I did not want to breeze through it. I needed to really take everything in. Almost like watching a really good movie - you don't just jump to the next movie right away. This ep could completely stand alone as it's own work.

Every show has those big pay off episodes and this was certainly one of those.

So incredibly well done.

Oh my God...

[keberg2003 · 10/10 · 16 October 2018]

I've been on IMDB since it's inception and have yet to write any review. But this series - and this episode in particular- shook me to my core. Terrifying yet heartbreaking at the same time. Acting from EVERYONE is amazing. Just incredible...

TV of the absolute highest quality

[wyse-90630 · 10/10 · 14 October 2018]

Exceptional piece of television. Tension, superb acting, brilliant pacing up to a genuinely unsettling payoff. Best episode yet of what is shaping up to be an incredible series. Absolutely outstanding.

Outstanding

[Tony-hughes1972 · 10/10 · 16 October 2018]

Possibly the best hour of television or cinema I have seen in a long time. Beautifully crafted story building to a terrifying crescendo.

I rarely review TV but this is extraordinary!

[ahmegy-914-445509 · 10/10 · 28 October 2018]

An absolute masterpiece of television, a whole new par that I believe will be hard to surpass for a long time. Deeply horrifying, disturbing, heartbreaking, yet kind of liberating too. Incredible writing, acting, editing, directing, everything is spot on and every effective. Hats off to the creators of this perfect piece of drama that kept me numb for a few days after watching it.

Bent neck lady....

[lenny-22959 · 10/10 · 14 October 2018]

Nell's story comes together, A beautiful but very sad episode don't wanna give away spoilers but it's the best episode so far