7 Times The Haunting of Hill House Scared Us Silly

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It’s been about a month since the Netflix smash The Haunting of Hill House hit our screens, but that doesn’t mean we still aren’t thinking about the complex -- and at times terrifying -- original series.

At its core, the show is a rich character study into the lives of a dysfunctional family and the house that shaped their lives. And it achieves its goal of telling a balanced, cohesive story magnificently. 

It does that while also making us jump out of our seats on more than one occasion.

Nell & Hugh - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 5

Here we take a look at the seven most frightening moments from The Haunting of Hill House Season 1. Beware because spoilers abound! You’ve been warned!

1. Nelly & The Car Ride

Car Ride - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 8

Shirley and Theo have a screaming match in which neither one is truly being heard because there’s so much yelling and Nell finally has enough.

She inserts herself into the middle of the screaming sisters, literally, and leaves both them and the audience clutching their chests in fright. Nell pops up a few times unexpectedly but none more unexpected than this. 

Good thing we get Theo's passionate monologue to give us time to catch our breath!

Related: The Haunting of Hill House Review - The Heart or The Stomach?

2. Every time We See The Bent-Neck Lady

The Bent-Neck Lady - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 5

From the first time we see her to the last, the bent-neck lady is one of the scariest things to come out of the Hill House.

And while all her appearances carry a punch, the most alarming revelation of all is the elevator effect in The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 5, as Nell sees herself for the very first time.

Absolute chills!

3. Olivia Returns

Olivia Returns - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 7

Olivia’s ghost shows up many times unwarranted, but none is quite as scary as when she attempts to pull Luke into Nell’s grave on The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 6.

As if an open grave isn’t spine-chilling enough, the image of someone trying to pull you inside is as terrifying as it gets. The entire scene is played to haunting perfection, and it provides one of the biggest jump-scares of the too-short Haunting of Hill House Season 1.

4. Dumbwaiter Chronicles

Luke looks up - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 3

Dumbwaiters always seem to spell disaster.

And when Luke takes an unforgettable ride down to an unknown cellar area, he encounters an angry ghost who rips up his perfectly good pajamas and leaves us covering our eyes in horror!

Poor Luke goes through a lot throughout the season, and it doesn't help that no one ever believes his claims.

Related: Get HBO via Prime Video Channels for Addictive Dramas, Hilarious Comedies & Hit Movies

5. The Floating Man

Luke & The Floating Man - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 4

The bowler hat alone is petrifying, but seeing a ghost literally floating towards you is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

Luke is haunted by the lumbering man from a young age and watching him hide under the bed and hold his breath for as long as he can to avoid detection is both chilling and sad.

Luke sees the man again as an adult and even then the scene is surreal. 

6. Mr. Smiley

Mr. Smiley - The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 3

Theo's abilities are presented as both a blessing and a curse.

On The Haunting of Hill House Season 1 Episode 3 she uses her gift to help a young girl who's suppressed her trauma to the point that she has created a monster in her mind.

When Theo meets that monster at the foot of her bed, it's an image that will stay with you for days. Although, the reveal of Mr. Smiley's origin is the hardest thing to stomach.

7. Steven Sees A Ghost

Nell Screams - The Haunting of Hill House  Season 1 Episode 8

Steven makes a mint off the stories and fears of his family and total strangers, while never even fully believing in any of the tales he's hearing.

That is until he's knocked off his feet by Nell, who he sees clear as day right before getting the news that she has passed. It's Steven's first encounter with a ghost ... or is it?

Related: The Haunting of Hill House Review - Mr. Smiley And The Floating Man

This is truly just a sample of the many moments that will leave you breathless, and we'd like to know which scenes would make your top seven list!

So make sure you hit the comments with the scenes that freaked you out the most so we can all relive the madness!

Whitney Evans is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is a lover of all things TV. Follow her on X.

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