Netflix has delivered one of the most atmospheric and emotionally charged horror films of 2025 with The Dreadful, a gothic psychological thriller that reunites Game of Thrones co-stars Kit Harington and Sophie Turner in a haunting tale of grief, guilt, and supernatural terror. Directed by British filmmaker Rose Glass (Saint Maud), the film premiered on the streaming platform on December 12, 2025, and has quickly climbed the charts, earning a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and widespread praise as “a masterclass in dread” and “the most unsettling love story of the year.”

Harington stars as Edward Craven, a grieving Victorian-era widower who returns to his decaying family estate in rural England after the mysterious death of his wife. Devastated and increasingly unstable, Edward begins to experience vivid visions and unexplained phenomena that blur the line between reality and madness. Sophie Turner plays Eleanor, his late wife’s identical twin sister, who arrives at the estate under the pretense of helping Edward grieve but harbors her own secrets and motives. Their reunion ignites a dangerous, obsessive bond, as the house itself seems to awaken with malevolent forces tied to a dark family history.

The film’s power lies in its slow-burn tension and psychological depth. Glass’s direction is masterful — long, shadowy shots of crumbling corridors, flickering candlelight, and oppressive silence build an unbearable sense of dread. The house feels alive, its creaking floors and whispering walls amplifying every moment of paranoia. Harington delivers a raw, vulnerable performance as a man unraveling under grief and guilt, his eyes conveying a quiet terror that lingers. Turner is equally compelling, balancing tenderness with menace, her character’s true intentions remaining ambiguous until the devastating final act.

The supporting cast is equally strong: Fiona Shaw as the stern housekeeper who knows more than she reveals, and Toby Stephens as Edward’s estranged brother, whose arrival only deepens the mystery. The cinematography by Ari Wegner captures the gothic beauty of the English countryside while never letting the audience breathe easy. The score — dissonant strings and distant piano — feels like the house itself breathing.

Critics have been effusive: “A gothic nightmare that gets under your skin and stays there” (The Guardian). “Harington and Turner are electric — their chemistry is as dangerous as the house” (Variety). Fans on social media are obsessed: “Finished at 2 a.m. — can’t sleep, can’t stop thinking about it” (@HorrorFanatic, 80k likes). Many call it “the best horror Netflix has released in years” and “a slow-burn masterpiece.”

The Dreadful is not about jump scares — it’s about the terror of grief, the fragility of sanity, and the horrors we carry inside. It’s atmospheric, elegant, and deeply unsettling, proving that true dread doesn’t need loud noises — just silence, shadows, and two broken souls trapped together.

Stream it now on Netflix. Turn off the lights. And brace yourself — this one lingers.