"The Haunting of Hill House" follows Dr. John Montague, a scholar interested in the paranormal, as he embarks on an exploration of a notorious Gothic mansion in New England. Accompanying him are Eleanor Vance and Theodora, two of the twelve candidates initially considered for the study. The haunted house soon reveals its secrets, leading to chilling experiences for the group.

An Unsettling Arrival

Eleanor Vance, eager to join the investigation, takes the family car, unnoticed by her sister and brother-in-law, and sets off for Hill House. En route, she stops at a diner for a simple meal of coffee and pie, engaging in brief conversation with the waitress before resuming her journey. Upon arrival at Hill House, she is initially thwarted by its locked gates. Her honking summons Mr. Dudley, the caretaker, who begrudgingly permits her entry after a brief altercation. Despite an immediate sense of dread upon seeing the house, Eleanor proceeds, meeting Mrs. Dudley, who acquaints her with the house rules before leading her to her room. Shortly after settling in, Theodora, or Theo, makes her entrance.

Exploring Hill House

The camaraderie between Eleanor and Theo blossoms as they take a walk around the grounds, though the eerie atmosphere soon drives them back indoors. Meanwhile, Luke Sanderson, the heir to Hill House, and Dr. Montague have arrived. The group gathers for drinks and dinner, during which they engage in discussions about the mansion's sinister past. Post-dinner, as the men play chess, Eleanor finds herself fabricating stories, uncertain as to her motives.

First Night's Terrifying Encounter

The following day begins with Eleanor and Theo descending for breakfast after their morning routines. The men recount the unsettling experience of doors inexplicably closing on their own. As they explore further, Eleanor is disturbed by the overwhelming stench of death emanating from the library, a sensation no one else perceives. Lunch is followed by a visit to the nursery, where Dr. Montague identifies an unnaturally cold spot.

Supernatural Disturbances

Nightfall brings terror as Eleanor is awakened by violent pounding on her door. Frightened, she flees to Theo's adjacent room, where they huddle together as the temperature plummets. The relentless banging compels Eleanor to scream for it to cease, which it does. Soon, the men arrive, having chased what they interpreted as a spectral hound through the house and outside, completely unaware of the chaos inside.

Unsettling Revelations

The morning finds Eleanor in high spirits, buoyed by the previous night's events. The group's excitement is dampened when Luke discovers a menacing message scrawled in chalk on the hallway wall, seemingly directed at Eleanor. Reports are penned by each participant, chronicling their personal encounters. Upstairs, Theo's room is found defiled with blood, staining her clothing, and another ominous message appears in Eleanor's quarters. Consequently, Theo and Eleanor decide to share a room. Eleanor's cryptic mention of "surrendering" to the house alarms the others, prompting them to monitor her closely.

A Terrifying Grasp

During their third night, Eleanor is convinced she is holding Theo's hand while a child's cries echo through the room. Feeling an intense chill, she implores the noise to stop, which it does. Shockingly, she realizes Theo was asleep in her own bed the entire time, prompting a panic-stricken Eleanor to question: “’God God,’ Eleanor said, flinging herself out of bed and across the room to stand shuddering in a corner, ’God God—whose hand was I holding?’”

Mounting Tensions

The following day, Eleanor converses with Luke but senses his indifference. An argument erupts between Eleanor and Theo over Luke, resulting in Eleanor's abrupt departure. Theo pursues her, leading to an unsettling encounter...