Since Netflix seized the rights to the notable ‘Hush’, Mike flanagan has repeatedly collaborated with the streaming platform. He already left a good feeling with ‘Gerald’s Game’, an adaptation of the eponymous book by Stephen King, but it was with ‘The Curse of Hill House’ that it literally swept everything away.
Then it would be the turn of ‘The Curse of Bly Manor’, but already before its premiere it gave the feeling that the miniseries that really interested Flanagan was ‘Midnight Mass’ – there are even nods to her in a couple of previous works of hers – which premieres on Netflix this coming Friday, September 24. It will be then that the whole world can see the best series on the platform so far in 2021.
A religious experience
It is inevitable to talk about the horror genre when we refer to a work by Flanagan, but his approach has always tended more to drama than to take advantage of the most enjoyable aspect of this type of proposal. That is something that happens again at ‘Midnight Mass’, where suspense and melodrama coexist in a story marked by themes of faith and redemption.
The truth is that life among the inhabitants of Crockett Island was far from idyllic when the arrival of Father Paul triggered a series of events that rekindled the religious experience in the area. Flanagan handles this at all times from a rarefied calm, first because of the injuries of his protagonists and later because of how everything is altering until it reaches its fiery denouement.
From the outset, the chapters of ‘Midnight Mass’ are based on the conversations between its protagonists, since this is how the different dynamics that will mark history are established. From the initial grief with a pinpoint of anguish, especially underlined from the character of a Zach Gilford splendid showing the guilt he has been enduring for several years, he goes on to bewilderment until everything explodes when the great revelation arrives.
Along the way, the load of suspense increases as the episodes go by, but never ceasing to focus on the attitude of its characters in the face of the challenges they face. It is true that Flanagan may overdo it on occasion in conversations that almost seem more like a soliloquy for the character in question to express how he feels that the result of a credible talk.
In constant growth
However, what could have become a burden all the time feels like a reasonable extension of the sensations that Flanagan seeks to convey. And it is that at all times it is made clear that Crockett Island is a kind of isolated community with its inhabitants scattered throughout the area while the area is disappearing little by little. It is as if it is doomed but its inhabitants choose to move on with their lives trying to ignore that fact.
That is what I meant when I spoke of grief at the start of ‘Midnight Mass’. Obviously, we know that something strange is going to have to happen, but it is almost as if the locals need it, both for the story to progress and to see its true face, although From the outset it is quite clear which foot they all limp from.
In parallel, Flanagan introduces a supernatural factor that will gain presence, leaving the doubt of to what extent it will be a salvation or a damnation for Crockett Island. Of course, he develops it calmly, letting his influence grow organically, affecting the main protagonists in one way or another and increasing the viewer’s curiosity towards what the hell is happening there.
In addition to a well-constructed script, ‘Midnight Mass’ also features a careful setting work to fully immerse ourselves in that small world apart that is Crockett Island. There Flanagan creating a microcosm that he takes advantage of to offer a stimulating review of an already well-explored creature from fantasy and horror stories.
To do this, he surrounds himself with a cast with several common faces in his previous works, but also with some newcomers as an impeccable Hamish Linklater like Father Paul, someone essential to ‘Midnight Mass’ at all levels. They are all very inspired to offer what Flanagan requires of them, but apart from Linklater and Gilford I would also like to highlight Samantha sloyan in one of those characters that one loves to hate.
In short
‘Midnight Mass’ is one of those series that serves to remind you that Netflix is also capable of putting out great proposals with its own voice. From its powerful start, everything in it feels like an evolution consistent with what has been seen, even when it opts for surprising twists that get their effect without being free or depending on them to keep you hooked. Here simply everything fits, seduces and engages.