The Bent Neck Lady | The Haunting Of Hill House | Episode 5

[@pattamon9432]

To think, that Nell was basically haunted by her own death her whole life is such ..... a disturbing thought.

[@dan7564]

Hodor

[@Pyramid132420]

Yeah. Really makes your...head spin.

[@_aiko020]

Also yk how olivia was getting migraines on the left side of her head? That's where her head got bashed in when she died. She's feeling her own death. It's the whole time thing, how young nellie was seeing herself as a ghost, how olivia was feeling migraines. That's her feeling how she dies.

[@Khay-77]

Just a brilliant reveal to The Bent Neck Lady. One of the many reasons this series is a masterpiece.

[@jmid6358]

it's a wierd twist on "watching your life flash in front of your eyes" before you die

[@amurderofbananas7449]

“HE’S WORKING FOR THE HOUSE!”

[@genghisgalahad8465]

The real Dr House! 😂

[@Quzga]

Glad someone else heard that, made me almost spit out my coffee lmao

[@p-forest]

@@genghisgalahad8465The house isn't haunted, it's Lupus.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

@@p-forest Lupus from Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban?

[@Ben-vs6zr]

this was the episode I changed from "this might be the best horror ever" to "this is the best horror ever".

[@transmatized]

“theo’s not helping her” to be fair to theo she literally flew there to help her and instead of going out together or talking to theo about her grief she tried to make her use her powers on the spot where her husband died which, as we know, can severely fuck up theo’s own mental health. she tried to help but nell was not able to receive it from her at that time.

[@trinitybernhardt9944]

Yes this is how I view it to. She literally grabbed her and physically forced her to make contact with something that could really harm her. I love Nellie and I know it was born out of desperate grief and she likely doesn't truly understand how much Theo's power can affect her, but that is really the equivalent of an assault. So I never lumped Theo in with Steven or Shirley, who I really didn't like at this point. Theo had boundaries, but she tried to be there for her siblings until she had to set them. I love Nellie too and feel so bad for her despite the violence of that scene. I just can't blame Theo for being mad.

[@donkrkonto]

The bent neck lady reveal was so well done, props to whoever came up with that concept and the way they edited it was exceptional.

[@alalcoolj216]

They say when you die, your life flashes before your eyes. That was Nell's life flashing, the twist being that her past selves could see it happening too, back the other way. One of the most impactful endings to an episode. ever.

[@srahhh]

TOTALLY agree about needing a sheet AND blanket to protect me from ghosts lol.

[@miss.g-shun-w]

Oh my gosh the way I flipped out when they revealed the truth about the Bent Neck Lady!!! So brilliant and sad and unhinged. Baby and adult Nellie were my heart. She had the saddest story but she deserved the best/most of all the siblings. The 0first episode that I honestly cried during.

[@dlweiss]

To be fair to Nellie's therapist, he actually IS giving her really good and constructive advice (take your meds, talk to your family, confront your childhood trauma in a non-risky manner) - he just doesn't know that the woman he's treating is stuck in a LITERAL haunted-house story, with actual supernatural threats. It's not his fault he doesn't know he's in a "genre"! :)

[@genghisgalahad8465]

He DID specifically downplay the physicality of the house knowing the fragile state of mind of his client. That was insensitive to her condition and unprofessionally dismissive.

[@JustJDx]

As someone who has had extensive counseling (though not because of supernatural childhood trauma), indeed he is giving solid textbook advice. However his approach and attitude also seem off to me. He comes across as cold, dismissive, not at all trying to relate or understand who Nell is (communicate on her level). That being said, he couldn't've helped her if he wanted to. But the way he seemingly ignores the warning signs concerning her declining mental health are frustrating.

[@MrWollollo123]

he's ignoring a lot. so keep telling yourself that.

[@acendiatmedia8747]

Is he ignoring the signs? He seems to be getting frustrated that she is declining. ​@@JustJDx

[@dlweiss]

@@JustJDx I mean, he's not ignoring her decline: he keeps gently asking if she's still taking her meds, in response to her deteriorating appearance and behavior - but Nellie keeps lying to him and saying she is still taking her meds. I suppose he could've suggested they switch her meds or try some new method, but given Nell's current mindset, it's likely she would've continued lying and not taking her meds or following through with his suggestions when not in a session. Remember, he suggested she talk to Steve about their past disagreements, and Nell interpreted that advice as "crash his book signing and publicly confront/embarrass him in front of his readers" - so it's hard to know how much her therapist could've helped her at that point. I suppose he could've strongly recommended she check herself into in-patient care somewhere, but again, I don't think Nell would've agreed.

[@BPhillips2000]

If I may: A reminder of back in Episode 1, when they all woke up at the same time (3:03AM)... "Why are they holding their throats?" I believe was the question asked 😱

[@Lannisen]

Only Luke held his throat, but yes. It was the twin thing.

[@xiaotaotao7198]

Even before luke will subconsciously hold his throat....as the same time as neil will start seeing the bent neck lady again

[@macaronicism]

No matter how many times I've watched this episode (and reactions to it) the last ten minutes make me cry every single time - the house giving her everything she wanted, before snatching it away and killing her. But damn, it really is one of the absolute best episodes of television I've ever seen.

[@KdeeBUBBLES444]

Idk if it was ever confirmed but i've seen some people theorize that rehab started working for Luke when Nell stopped taking her meds, because the time she buys him drugs before dropping him off was the longest he's ever made it in the program and she dumped her meds down the toilet that same night. If she could feel him having withdrawals, it would only make sense that her taking medication could impact his need for a fix

[@yesimarangel]

Woah, I’ve seen so many reactions and comments, never saw this one. Makes so much sense. The twin thing literally was making the other twin sick 😭

[@ariesfigure]

never thought about this. it kinda makes sense bc of the scene of her throwing her meds is right after she dropped him at rehab and saw the bnl while being awake. i always thought it was bc she blamed these new meds for not being so lucid and so causing her to see the bnl even during the day

[@ariesfigure]

never thought about this. it kinda makes sense bc of the scene of her throwing her meds is right after she dropped him at rehab and saw the bnl while being awake. i always thought it was bc she blamed these new meds for not being so lucid and so causing her to see the bnl even during the day

[@Darkstar72SR]

Sure. I think Nell is telling her shrink this but I can’t remember definitively: that she’s been sick with the “flu” for the first few days that Luke was in rehab. It’s because he’s going through withdrawal and she’s feeling it too. The meds she threw out were disrupting their “twin thing”. That’s why he could never get and stay sober. Nell had been in therapy and using pharmacology for years. Now she can share his burden which had always been too much to bear alone.

[@Well...Darn.]

I adore how they're trying to rationalize at the end. "Perhaps Nell and the mom are crazy" rather than "perhaps the house is haunted."

[@HayloAndKiss]

Just call us Steven and Shirley 🫡

[@Well...Darn.]

@@HayloAndKissTook the thought right out of my head! 🤣

[@joelwillis2043]

Well the haunting stuff is a metaphor for mental health and the inter-generational trauma is causes.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

​@HayloAndKiss, to be fair, that's more Steve than Shirley...

[@sandpiperr]

Well the haunting is a metaphor for mental health, so it's more having a deeper understanding than it is rationalizing.

[@ApacoTaco22]

You can almost hear Haylo’s brain short circuiting when she realizes who Bent Neck Lady is 😂 great reaction

[@inmoviesempire]

Haylo's face during the descent of the bent-neck lady was priceless

[@Mitsu2040]

I love how this episode wraps up everything from the first five episodes

[@TheJerbol]

"I don't wanna see the bent neck lady" RIP

[@lillyofthenorth8798]

Fun fact, her therapist is played by the actor who played the Luke character in the original 1963 "The Haunting" film!

[@desireewarmoth7518]

Bent-Neck lady reveal is insane

[@508ghjsdfkoljg]

one of the greatest setups and payoffs ever put on screen

[@spikeinmadness5005]

You ever heard of the saying "Your life flashes before your eyes when you die"? In Nellie's case her death flashed before her eyes while she was alive. Kiss' explanation of the noose and the locket was how I took it.

[@transmatized]

remember when olivia mentioned in the previous episode that she saw bodies hanging from the staircase during one of her visions of the house? well…

[@EvanSaltare]

I'll come back to this when Two Storms is uploaded but I didn't want to forget to leave a comment and a like on this vid. I just have to watch both episodes back to back.

[@eowyns4181]

This episode hits me in my heart so much every time! Remember what Steve said in the first episode? Ghosts are wishes. My theory at this point was that the house fed Nellie her own 'ghosts'. She wanted her husband back, finally being believed by her family and just have everyone together. So in a way what you said about arguments for both psychological and supernatural can also both be true. I believe the house amplifies certain aspects of mental illness. So yeah not so good for a nostalgic depressed person. The bent neck lady took me a while but I believe that she showed up at key moments in her life when a part of Nellie died. Specifically: the moment her Husband dies, where Luke is too deep in addiction to hear her plea for help or even when she decides to go back to the house. The story of Nellie is so tragic that it actually breaks my heart every time and I hope she at least could experience some happiness (even though it was fake) from seeing her family again. I also just love the actress. StyleLikeYou on youtube has an interview with Victoria Pedretti that is very emotional to watch if you are interested.

[@thisisscorpio6024]

At times you will be scared. At times, you will cry uncontrollably. Soon, you will be terrified.

[@jenk4545]

Fun fact: Nellie's therapist is played by Russ Tamblyn, who among other things is famous for playing the eccentric psychiatrist Dr. Jacobi on Twin Peaks.

[@GhoulishGwyn]

He also played Luke in the 1963 adaptation of the Haunting of Hill House.

[@LokmanSalikoon]

To simply put: Nelly has been haunted by the image of her own death since young. When she died, that was the point where it clicked for her what all the ghostly images was about. The scenes where she "drops" is her reliving the past.

[@ged-sparrowhawk]

I've only seen this episode all the way through once, but have probably seen a dozen reactions and it makes me cry every time.

[@kirbyhm]

This is one of the best episodes of tv I’ve ever seen. Everything was perfection and the way it reconceptualizes the previous episodes and sets up the episodes to come is masterful.

[@CalvinChikelue]

This is not just one of my all time favorite shows but I genuinely believe this & the following episode are two of the best episodes of TV in the medium’s history. A brilliant confluence of writing, acting & theme. If I lived to be 500, I suspect I will always remember this episode’s final scenes.

[@behnammoghimi2858]

IMO one of the greatest episodes in Tv history !

[@kingkelevra4545]

I cry every time this episode comes on

[@cooljay2500]

Me too

[@HelloThere.GeneralKenobi]

Shirley finding out about Theo was hysterical and is near the top of moments from the series. Especially AFTER finding out that you are your own ghost that has been around forever would drive anyone out of their minds!

[@wentshow]

SPOILER WARNING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T WATCHED THIS EPISODE. When I first heard of the bent-neck lady, I thought she was some kind of witch. No, and as it turned out, she wasn't a ghost either. She was a vivid premonition. Nellie was having premonitions of her death since she was six.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

As the youngest sibling myself, you have no idea how happy it was to see her go off on her siblings.

[@stoffelthedestroyer3741]

In all of horror, this moment is a legendary masterpiece The concept itself and the layers of horror No werewolves, vampires or psychopaths can deliver such fear

[@HoneyedShe]

The bent neck lady storyline is one of the biggest plot twists I've ever seen! Literally never saw it coming and Nellie being her own ghost haunting herself throughout her life is so sad. I was so looking forward to you watching this one haha.

[@solknightsolaire7927]

All of flanagans stuff, Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, House of Usher are just absolute gold.

[@paulinekeown2472]

You two are the perfect people to react to a series like this. You're so perceptive and empathetic, which are really important in appreciating the beauty of this series. I would love to see you do The Haunting of Bly Manor, as well. I think you would love it.

[@majincaveman2709]

One of the biggest surprises ever to me

[@Anautistictherapist]

You two are on point with the whole grief/mental health/ghosts questions, and I think that’s one of the things that elevates this story above all the “ghost story” films and shows that came before it.

[@MatheusMacedo-k6q]

Nell sees the lady whenever something traumatic happens, it's why she went away when she was happy with her husband. Then she sees all her trauma points that led to the suicide (metaphorically speaking), so while growing up, she's experiencing trauma, an when she dies she's reliving it all, so she sees it from both sides. Also, someone tell the girls to pay attention to the background in Hill House scenes! I found them before they had any followers, I knew they'd blow up haha, so happy to see ya'll thriving here!

[@bujin1977]

Haunted her entire life by her own death. An incredible reveal, but damn sad! Still some fantastic episodes to go, but make sure to watch some of the behind-the-scenes videos afterwards as it explains some of the more complicated aspects of the plot, a fantastic feature about how they made one of the upcoming episodes, and you also need to see videos on all the ghosts you *haven't* seen... Also, fun fact - the psychiatrist who told Nell to go back to the house played Luke in the 1963 adaptation of the story (The Haunting).

[@Zam_Bam]

I'm rewatching this cause your reactions make me laugh 😂 It cracks me up when Hayley lays sideways lol

[@le_petit_calimero]

12:52 the storytelling in this scene is remarkable. 21:41 I love how carefully you watch the series and draw connections between the episodes ♥ that's why this show is a masterpiece imo. everything matters and everything comes back at some point. i watched this show two times and watched a dozen of reactions and it keeps blowing my mind and gives me chills every time. this ending and the ending of the next episode in particular.

[@loveIetter]

the next episode is arguably the best in the whole series:3

[@SharonToggle]

Honestly the next episode is arguably one of the best episodes of TV ever made.

[@Melancthon7332]

@@SharonToggleIt's in my top ten single episodes.

[@aghostisawish]

Agreed. A masterpiece of an episode!

[@handlerone5172]

I remember watching this for the first time and I was completely blown away. What a twist.

[@jameshartley5]

Good reaction girls and i like the post-discussion. One of the best eps in TV history [along with ep 6] Two Easter Eggs. The great '63 film *The Haunting* was the first film treatment of the 1959 Shirley Jackson novel *The Haunting of Hill House* and featured a character named Dr. Montague, which i think is the name of Nelly's psychiatrist. And that character is played by Russ Tamblyn who appeared in that '63 film. [that's 3 Easter Eggs] Looking forward to you watching "Two Storms" !!

[@eddtheevirgo5679]

I appreciate the longer outro! It’s entertaining to see you guys explore your theories

[@mdx7460]

This show is hands down the best horror I have ever watched. I watched loads of horror growing up. As a kid it’s scary and exciting. But I got over that when I was an adult and realised most of the stories are a bit crap and they are mainly focused on the jump scares than anything else. THIS on the other hand does both jump scares and story amazingly. The story is just something else. And the bent neck lady reveal shocked me to my core. I couldn’t get it out of my head for a while after. Clever clever stuff. The whole show is genius.

[@aWhysGuy]

This episode is heartbreaking every time

[@TehCream]

The reveal of the bent neck lady, realising she was being haunted by her own suicide for her whole was absolutely horrific. Crazy as hell the way they did that

[@jonathangonzalez-md8pg]

One of the greatest details of this show: you were wondering who the "other people" were, like the bowl hat man... They were always there. In every episode. They are hidden in a lot of the scenes that take place at the house. When you finish the show, you should search on youtube, there are compilations of every ghost appearance.

[@ollie511]

1:55 "She screamed so loud it hurt my ears." I had the same thought at 1:38 😂

[@yanavause34]

She's been haunted by her own death her whole life....and no one seen it except of her. I love Nell so much though, poor kid.... "this wasn't mommy" I can't wait for your next reactions girls! ♥

[@TheJerbol]

2:39 the salute, I'm dying 😂

[@kieronroberts4977]

This is one of the best shows I've ever seen!

[@WinchDean]

I love your reactions!!! ❤

[@kat7ra]

Nellie's story really breaks my heart. And boy does episode 5 go hard, I had a similar reaction to the ending just going "what!!"

[@angellopolys2494]

The reveal in this episode is THE one. I remember the chills I got the first time. Love your reactions 🎉

[@the_glitter_is]

Addiction changes your brain chemistry, withdrawal is painful & dangerous, and rehab is expensive. Please give some grace to addicts suffering from a disease because they simply cant stop.

[@agustinbarquero8898]

They CAN simply stop. That's how addicts stop being addicts. Please stop giving grace to addicts because this makes them feel like they are valid, which is not.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

@@agustinbarquero8898 @the_glitter_is guys, there's a middle ground in between your two valid points. You're both right but you can also both bend and meet halfway on what can't be helped and what can be helped, what can be decided on and what needs help from others. The best decision is to not simply stop on one's own but to DECIDE on one's own to stop AND also at the same time SEEK outside HELP for overpowering addiction and treatment and care of withdrawal and hopefully somehow find a way to allay the cost of expensive rehab. I hope this helps a bit to find a middle ground between your two solid points.

[@lordcrispen]

Without spoilers obviously, seeing this reaction to this episode, I'm really looking forward to certain parts of Bly Manor which I can only assume is coming down the road at some point. REALLY REALLY fun re-watching this with you guys. Thank you so much for this!

[@XCerykX]

Water is good, I don't understand why so many people are resistant to drinking it

[@Turgon86]

This episode and the one that comes next, are the best ones of the whole season. Brilliant show, amazing performances, plot twists, cinematography. 10/10 Really glad that you are both doing this reactions. Hope you do Bly Mannor as well I remember finishing this episde and being completely frozen for just a bit. Paralyzed.

[@cboscari]

I've watched a few reactions to the Ep 5 reveal, but you two had the best genuinely shocked expressions I've seen. I thought Haylo went off screen to throw up though.

[@tdog790]

well it always said 'welcome come nell" but Theo didnt rip the whole wallpaper out all the way so it looked like said "come home nell" because the "wel" was covered

[@brismithejedi]

LOL Ya'll never disappoint. This was great

[@eren6096]

Yessss..I was waiting for this to drop. Gonna watch this before going to sleep. ❤ Ps- It's 2:30 am here lol

[@bujin1977]

Drop. Hah. I see what you did there...

[@sammylane21]

I can't wait to "hear" their reactions to episode 8....😂

[@dreamcatcherr27]

this and the ep 6 is always gives me chills

[@elliekay8791]

I can’t get through this episode without SOBBING 😭 it’s so good 😢

[@myboatforacar]

22:47 Been there. Staring at the same spot for hours. Depression can be harsh. It's theorized that the reason Luke was finally able to get clean was because Nell went off her meds. It's a twin thing 😉 Also, how dare Dr. Montague not realize he's in a horror show 😂 Fantastic reaction! Looking forward to the next one!

[@jmourao]

"Also, how dare Dr. Montague not realize he's in a horror show 😂" I know, right? Especially considering that he has been in Hill House before! 😄 I mean, Russ Tumblyn, the actor who plays Dr. Montague, played the part of Luke in the movie "The Haunting" (1963), a previous adaptation of the the same book the TV series is adapted from. Great movie, btw. Well worth watching.

[@marceliusbyrd9162]

You've heard a 1000 times they say life flashes before your eyes before you die.... She was going through her life in reverse from her point of view it could just be flashes

[@vertexedits1806]

Wow this was one of the best plot twist in tv history for sure

[@aghostisawish]

First time watching I thought "How could they top this episode?!" Then they went and did the next one... Is it so raw and heartbreaking and my personal favorite. But yea, I was thinking about that bent neck lady reveal for days and weeks afterward.😢

[@4cory]

My god this is the most incredible show ever

[@Msliliheart]

Nell's story reminds me so much of Lake Mungo.

[@fuzzy__dunlop]

You two are hilarious 😂

[@StevenScotland81-ur1et]

You talk about the "time travelling bent neck lady". Please try and remember this idea about travelling through time for the final episode. Everything comes back around to make sense. The two of you are doing a great job, thanks for reactions.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

They have time traveled to the final episode, thankfully.....

[@StevenScotland81-ur1et]

@@genghisgalahad8465 Of course. I'm forgetting YT will be behind Patreon. All this time travelling, damn confusing!

[@iremainteague5653]

Get ready! Episode 6 is my favorite episode of tv. Period. Its so good!

[@jimbo8093]

We’re just getting warmed up….😊

[@staciemiller7465]

I know I'm far behind here, but the therapist (Russ Tamblyn) was Luke in the original The Haunting.

[@soulscyther666]

Funny they mentioned that Nell is her own ghost. And that is true in most mental illness case. You are your own ghost.

[@DschongHo]

To summarize Kiss' experience: OH MY GOD!

[@sabrinawalker1421]

Omg! I’m so excited to watch the rest of this with you guys! And of course you know you must watch Bly Manor and Midnight Mass next 😅 those ones are far less scary

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Knowing that they've seen the finale, heck, I can only watch Hill House, and the other two still scare...

[@thetiminator55]

Nell had depression which she made worse by not taking her medication and by destorying her relationships with her family through spontaeous fights. The greatest threat to her was herself. Inside of Hill House this literally manifests as the bent neck lady which terrorizes her thoughout her life. At least thats how i always interpreted it.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

the greatest threat to her wellbeing was not her, it was the irresponsible "triggering," as Hayley says, by her shrink and the shrink's suggestions and insistence that the house isn't just a house. A house is never just a house.

[@kokopuffs7618]

Fun fact: the psychiatrist Nell goes to played Luke in the Haunting of Hill house movie from 1963

[@ambergerber5162]

Russ Tamblyn was awesome! I loved the original movie.

[@Kaspisify]

"I did not like that at ALL". I feel ya ^^

[@terryworley533]

Best reaction I’ve seen to this episode haha😂

[@Drummer4President]

Ah yes, the start of “every Flanagan E5 will cause you severe trauma”

[@octavioalfonsopineda8067]

While the twist for the episode is amazing the buildup to Nellie death is so fucking sad😭 Like I can’t describe it but hearing everyone forgiving Nellie while knowing none of it’s real breaks me,from her Mom telling her that she wasn’t at fault for the writings on the wall,to Steve,Shirley,and Theo forgiving her even though we know the last time Nellie interacted with them was on Bad Terms or unresolved terms just hurts,to her seeing Luke clean even though we know that Luke is struggling at the other side of the US,and to her seeing Arthur again and tearing up like bro😭 Again the twist is amazing but omg the buildup to her dying is just so sad like as someone who suffers from Depression I just uncontrollably cry seeing that scene every time

[@Neocoolzero]

Sleep paralysis is real and damn scary, I suffered a little back then when I felt overwhelmed by a dark period

[@Hey_Jamie]

10:30 in this scene if you look behind Nelly under the piano, you see….. someoneeeee

[@TheJerbol]

Kiss with the Aussie NAURRR 25:00 😂😂

[@revaldowalsh1749]

I think the headaches with the mom has something to do with the transition from her past self to her present self

[@BrendanBeckett]

Nellie's psychiatrist was totally correct, assuming this were the real world where ghosts are not actually real. He doesn't know he's in a ghost show, so its wrong to blame him. And by the way, even in the show, he was right about Arthur too. It was just an aneurysm.

[@DELANOdutch]

Waiting for the jump scare!!! 😂

[@PaulHilburger]

Get ready, the next episode will CRUSH YOUR SOULS

[@chadbailey7038]

Traumatizing! But masterfully executed! 😅😳😭👏🏾👏🏾