The Haunting of Hill Housemight be the crowning jewel of Netflix’s horror TV library, but this show is undoubtedly the runner-up.Netflix’s TV selectionis known for its volume, with an effort to produce shows in mass quantities to provide something for everyone. With that comes plenty of options for horror lovers.
Mike Flanagan’s TV shows and movieshave been an excellent source of content for Netflix, from Stephen King adaptations likeDoctor SleepandGerald’s Gameto hisThe Hauntinganthology series, which had two seasons. He also wrote an outstanding limited series calledMidnight Mass, and it’s a must-watch horror.
Midnight Mass Is Almost As Good As Netflix’s The Haunting Of Hill House
Midnight Massis a miniseries set on a small, isolated island with a tight-knit, devoutly Christian population. The story follows the ensemble on this island, which includes a man returning home after years and a four-year stint in prison for a drunk-driving incident, as well as a mysterious, charismatic priest who quickly wins over the crowd.
WhileThe Haunting of Hill Houseis Mike Flanagan’s best-reviewed show for good reason,Midnight Massis practically neck-and-neck. It’s certainly a better follow-up thanThe Haunting of Bly Manor, which was less than stellar in comparison to its predecessor.
Without giving away too much, fans of occult thrillers, gothic vampire horror, and creative twists on classic horror archetypes will love this series. It’s filled with well-defined characters played by talented actors, incredibly strong, thoughtful dialogue, and enough genuine terror to pique the interest of horror aficionados.
Midnight Massis a horror project that’s both deeply evocative and intelligent as well as downright scary, mixing entertainment with artistic value. The show also has a much different tone and aesthetic thanThe Hauntingtitles, for anyone who just couldn’t get into those but wants to try another Mike Flanagan project.
How Mike Flanagan Transformed Netflix’s Horror Genre
Over the past decade, Mike Flanagan went from being a fairly run-of-the-mill horror director to one of the most recognizable TV producers/filmmakers in the business. He’s got multiple projects lined up with Stephen King, an upcoming DC Comics film, and a remake ofThe Exorciston its way, and there’s a reason why he’s been given all this IP trust.
As I mentioned before, regardingMidnight Mass, Mike Flanagan’s excellence comes from his ability to create genuine horror without a reliance on jump scares and other cheap tactics. His movies and shows, includingThe Haunting of Hill House, are thoughtful and push the genre forward in compelling ways.
