Unlike many anthology series, it does not seem like the collaboration between Netflix and horror director Mike Flanagan, The Haunting, ensures its stories take place in the same fictional universe. Still, though, The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor are seminal works that don't require any crossing over to exist on their merits.
It is fascinating to examine what it would be like if the characters from these haunted houses met each other across the decades. Granted, some may only have their time spent in a ghost house in common, but that's more than most people. That could lead to some quality friendships forged and some that don't reach past that initial icebreaker.
Would Work: Theo And Owen
At first glance, it might seem like Theo would be an obvious choice for any of the "wouldn't work" entries. While her tough exterior can certainly be hard to penetrate, Owen's charms would assuredly be a solid basis for a friendship.
After all, Theo is a deeply sentimental and feeling person; she just pretends not to be. Owen is far from fake and the only people Theo eschews are those who are disingenuous. She would respect that Owen is unabashedly himself: the kind of guy who never ignores a pun.
Wouldn't Work: Steven And Jamie
Jamie and Theo have a bit in common when it comes to their initial brusqueness, but Jamie is much quicker to show her affectionate side. However, like Theo, she would entertain absolutely zero percent of any selfishness or foolishness.
She would have no patience for Steven. He gets plenty of chances from his family, but it seems likely that Jamie would call him out on his poor behavior immediately.
Would Work: Nell And Dani
Looking past the existential crisis that might form from the fact that Nell and Dani would appear identical, the two have personalities that would gel well as friends. They are both supremely caring people who recognize the more fun aspects of life.
They could also bond over their mutually tragic endings. Really, if there's ever a third installment of The Haunting, there needs to be some sort of peace clause in Victoria Pedretti's contract.
Wouldn't Work: Luke And Peter
While Pedretti's two characters would probably hit it off, the same cannot be said of the ones played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen. They are polar opposites who would find nothing redeemable in one another.
Luke is a caring soul who battles against inner demons. Peter is a manipulative soul who battles against his debilitating fear of loneliness. Luke would look down on Peter's scorched-earth tactics and Peter would scoff at Luke's soft side.
Would Work: Shirley And Hannah
It's clear that Shirley Crain is a meticulous person who has trouble relinquishing the control she has over her life. Hannah Grose is also a meticulous person who is much more consciously aware of the detriments that can come about from a lack of compartmentalization.
They would really pair well together. Shirley could help keep Hannah grounded and self-aware and Hannah could help Shirley learn to de-stress a bit. They would both be patient with one another as they built a gentle friendship.
Wouldn't Work: Olivia And Henry
On Hill House, there seemed like no more beautiful pairing than Olivia and Hugh. On Bly, though, Henry Thomas pivoted to portray Henry Wingrave. And it seems unlikely that Carla Gugino's Olivia and Henry would hit it off as well.
Henry does mean well, but he's much likelier to slide into his impulses than his inhibitions. Considering the same is true of Olivia, they would not make for a quality friendship or even a mitigating one. They would bring out the worst in one another.
Would Work: Abigail And Miles
Abigail is a friendly child from the Dudleys, the caretakers who live near the woods of Hill House. She can strike up a friendship with even a total stranger, for better and for worse.
Considering the politeness and curiosity of Miles is comparable to that of young Luke in Hill House, Abigail would likely strike up a bond with Miles if she happened to encounter him at a nearby home.
Wouldn't Work: Hugh And Peter
Returning to Peter Quint, it is probably safe to say that he would not be friends with anyone he encountered in the world of Hill House. Those people just have hearts that are too big to let in someone so conniving.
Hugh, in particular, would detest what Peter stands for. He would have no time for someone so skeevy and he would certainly not let Peter anywhere near his children.
Would Work: Poppy And Rebecca
The definition of "would work" is probably up for debate here. The friendship would definitely work for Poppy Hill in this scenario, but it would hardly be as desirable for Rebecca Jessel.
While Rebecca has her wits about her, she still falls prey to the charms of those who are more sinister. Poppy would make quick work of Rebecca if she ever visited Hill House and considering how fondly Poppy's victims grow of her, it might be a terrifying friendship for all.
Wouldn't Work: Clara And Flora
It's hard to imagine a friendship ever really working between an adult and a child with such a difference as Clara and Flora have. But Clara does build her own caretaker-child relationships with the Crain children. It's just that none of them are positive relationships that the kids would look fondly on.
Dani is a much kinder au pair who the children would gravitate towards. Clara is paranoid and severe and would certainly have no time for Flora's lofty imagination.