Edited by: Zainab Sarang
Before watching Mike Flanagan’s horror shows, I used to believe it was impossible to create a series that remained scary throughout the episodes. After seeing multiple of Flanagan’s series, I stand correct. I’ve never found myself scared while watching The Haunting of Hill House or Midnight Mass but more moved, than anything.
Oh, Mike Flanagan, you cannot scare me for the life of you. However, you do remind me that at its core, horror reflects the fear, sadness, and anger people carry.
So, if you’re looking for something scary, don’t watch Flanagan’s series. But, if you’re looking for a show to remind you of love and loss, keep reading, and let me tell you some of my favorites.
- The Haunting of Hill House
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The plot of The Haunting of Hill House alternates between the past and present, depicting the events leading to when the family of five adult siblings fled Hill House and how their experiences living at Hill House haunt them in the present day.
“And you’re supposed to be my big brother. You know, you’re supposed to protect me. But you say the meanest things to me when I try to tell you.”
If you have siblings, you’ll relate to the constant conflict between the siblings of Hill House. This show does a phenomenal job depicting the raw, unpleasant, and real familial interactions when family is grieving. I highly recommend watching this show blind because not only are the plot twists shocking, but the buildup and conflicts are gut wrenching.
Oh, Mike Flanagan, you may have failed to scare me, but you showed me how family really is everything and losing them is the real horror.
- The Haunting of Bly Manor
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The Haunting of Bly Manor follows Dani Clayton, a young American woman, hired as an au pair for two children living at Bly Manor, who is unaware that the manor is haunted.
“You said it was a ghost story. It isn’t. It’s a love story.”
“Same thing, really.”
Victoria Pedretti, who also stars in The Haunting of Hill House, killed her role as Dani. If there’s any real reason to watch this show, it’s her. However, the next best reason I can think of is there’s never been a show that’s ever shown the painful cycle of love and loss better than The Haunting of Bly Manor.
In fact, it’s a disgrace to call this show horror. Let me tell you, Mike Flanagan, you’re not supposed to cry your eyes out to doomed yuri during a horror show.
- Midnight Mass
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Midnight Mass is set in the isolating fishing community of Crockett Island, following Riley Flynn, who’s returned home after serving a prison sentence, and Father Paul, a mysterious priest whose arrival brings a series of miracles.
“You are loved, and you aren’t alone.”
It took me weeks to watch Midnight Mass, namely because the show was so slow that I took a break mid-series. Don’t do what I did when you watch this show. The last few episodes are insanely rewarding and worth all the beautiful character development and build up.
Flanagan did an amazing job making community of Crockett Island, and the complicated journeys of each character feel so real and relatable as they process their guilts, fears, relationships, and faith.
The topic of faith was handled so beautifully, offering so many perspectives that challenge but never disrespect each other. The final scene with Sheriff Hassan and his son will forever haunt me (if you know, you know).
I’ve never seen a show that encapsulates the value of community in seven episodes as well as Midnight Mass.
Oh, Mike Flanagan, the writer you are. You’ve always failed to scare me, and I doubt you ever can. But you’ll always remind me that what will always scare me the most is losing my family, my love, and my community.