In this article we will explore his Netflix shows from the brilliance of "The Haunting of Hill House" to the Gothic nightmare of "The Fall of the House of Usher."
Flanagan's tales are packed to the brim with trauma, family drama, and eerie supernatural elements, making them a MUST-WATCH for any horror fan.
Shall we begin?
The Haunting of Hill House revolves around the Crain family, who are thrust back into their haunted past when a sudden death forces them to confront the sinister events that unfolded at Hill House years earlier.
Flanagan’s genius lies in his ability to weave horror into the very fabric of the narrative.
The house itself is a character, its architecture and hidden rooms representing the complexity of the human mind and the secrets it holds.
The supernatural elements are not just there to scare but to symbolize the inner demons and unresolved issues each character faces.
Every ghost and haunting in Hill House is tied to a deeper emotional or psychological trauma.
Flanagan’s storytelling transcends typical horror tropes, creating a series that is as emotionally profound as it is terrifying.
The combination of intense character arcs, psychological twists, and scary ass vibes makes THOHH an unforgettable experience, solidifying its place as a modern horror masterpiece!
THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR
THEME: Love/Loss
The Haunting of Bly Manor follows Dani Clayton, a young American au pair hired to care for two orphaned children, Flora and Miles, at the enigmatic Bly estate.
As Dani settles into her new role, she begins to encounter mysterious apparitions and gradually uncovers the estate’s dark history.
The story is framed by a ghost story narrated at a wedding, adding a layer of meta-narrative that ties the past to the present.
The theme of love and loss is central to Bly Manor. Dani’s relationship with Jamie evolves into a profound love story that defies the boundaries of life and death.
The tragic romance of Peter Quint and Rebecca Jessel (the former governess) adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the destructive and possessive aspects of love.
The children, Flora and Miles, are also profoundly affected by love and loss. Their parents' deaths leave them vulnerable and open to the influences of the spirits at Bly Manor.
Bly Manor masterfully transitions from a traditional ghost story to a love story. The ghosts are not mere specters of horror but are deeply connected to the characters' emotional journeys.
Flanagan's ability to blend horror with emotional depth is what makes Bly Manor stand out!
This series transcends typical horror conventions, offering a rich, emotionally resonant story that lingers long after the final episode.
MIDNIGHT MASS
THEME: Faith/Fanaticism Midnight Mass follows a young man, Riley Flynn, returning to the isolated Crockett Island after serving time in prison.
His arrival coincides with that of a very charismatic new priest, Father Paul, whose presence revitalizes the island’s dwindling faith community.
As mysterious events and miraculous occurrences begin to unfold, the community becomes deeply divided, with the lines between faith and fanaticism increasingly blurred.
FAITH: Faith in Midnight Mass is portrayed as a powerful and multifaceted force. It is a source of hope, community, and resilience for the residents of Crockett Island. Father Paul’s arrival brings a renewed sense of spiritual vitality to the island, his sermons reignite the residents’ belief in miracles and divine intervention.
FANATICISM: Fanaticism is depicted as the dark, corrupting side of faith in Midnight Mass. It shows how an uncritical, fervent belief can lead to moral and ethical decay, driving individuals and communities to commit heinous acts in the name of their faith.
The portrayal of these themes serve as powerful commentary on the human condition. It explores the fine line between genuine belief and destructive zealotry, showing how the former can provide comfort and community while the latter can lead to devastation and horror.
THE MIDNIGHT CLUB
THEME: Death
The Midnight Club is set in a hospice for terminally ill teens, following eight teenagers who gather nightly to share spooky stories and search for signs of the afterlife and supernatural.
TMC explores the bonds they form, their confrontations with mortality, and the ways they use storytelling to navigate their fears and hopes.
This series confronts the harsh realities of terminal illness, providing a stone-cold look at how young people face their own mortality. It addresses the emotional and psychological struggles of living with a terminal diagnosis, emphasizing the resilience and courage of its characters.
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING: Storytelling is central to the series, as it serves as both an escape and a coping mechanism for the characters. Through their nightly tales, the teens explore themes of fear, hope, and the unknown, finding solace and connection in their shared experiences. The stories they tell reflect both their inner turmoils and desires, offering a way to process their impending deaths.
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER
THEME: Immortality
The Fall of the House of Usher centers on the Usher siblings, Roderick and Madeline, who have built an enormous pharmaceutical empire.
As buried secrets begin to surface, the Usher heirs start dying under mysterious circumstances.
The series unravels a deep web of deceit, corruption, and supernatural occurrences that haunt the family.
House of Usher is a modern retelling that combines various Edgar Allan Poe stories into a cohesive narrative. It draws inspiration from Poe’s themes and characters, creating a unified story that pays homage to his Gothic sensibilities.
Immortality is the central theme exploring the lengths to which the Usher family goes to achieve eternal life and the dire consequences of their quest.
Roderick and Madeline, at the helm of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, have dedicated their lives to the quest for eternal life. Their empire, built on groundbreaking but morally dubious medical research, has always had one primary goal: to conquer death.
Immortality in the series is not portrayed as the ultimate achievement but as a curse. The very idea that one can live forever is shown to be inherently flawed, bringing more suffering than salvation.
Flanagan’s adaptation captures the essence of Poe’s works, using modern storytelling techniques to explore timeless themes.
The series’ unique approach to character deaths, its Gothic style, and its fidelity to Poe’s themes make it the best in horror, from movies to shows, of 2023!
