‘Excellent’ Netflix Horror Series Has Been Called One of the Best by Fans of The Haunting of Bly Manor

Fans looking for another atmospheric horror series after The Haunting of Bly Manor may want to turn to Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan’s 2021 Netflix limited series.

Told across seven episodes rather than 10, the series has developed a strong reputation among horror viewers for putting its story and characters at the center of its scares. It currently holds an 87% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics have praised its exploration of grief, faith and human nature.

What is Midnight Mass about?

The story takes place on Crockett Island, an isolated and struggling community where life begins to change after the arrival of a mysterious young priest, Father Paul Hill, played by Hamish Linklater.

His arrival coincides with a series of strange events and seemingly miraculous occurrences. As hope and religious devotion spread throughout the island, however, that renewed faith gradually takes a darker turn.

Zach Gilford stars as Riley Flynn, a troubled man who returns to the island, while Kate Siegel plays Erin Greene. The ensemble also includes Samantha Sloyan, Rahul Kohli, Annabeth Gish, Henry Thomas and Michael Trucco.

The series builds its horror around more than supernatural scares. Religion, guilt, addiction, grief and fanaticism all become increasingly important as the mystery surrounding Crockett Island unfolds.

Fans call it one of Flanagan’s best

The series has continued to attract strong reactions from horror fans, with some viewers placing it ahead of Flanagan’s other Netflix productions.

One fan described Midnight Mass as “excellent,” while another said it was their favorite of Flanagan’s Netflix shows, even ahead of The Haunting of Hill House.

Others have particularly praised the series for its story and unexpected revelations, with viewers who went in knowing little about the plot saying the twists made the experience even more effective.

Critics have been similarly positive. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus describes the show as an ambitious examination of grief and faith, combining unsettling horror with ideas that linger beyond the final episode.

A different kind of Mike Flanagan horror

Unlike the ghost-focused approach associated with The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass draws much of its tension from faith, fanaticism and the choices people make when they believe they have found something miraculous.

The result is a slow-burning horror story that gradually transforms the seemingly quiet Crockett Island into a deeply unsettling place.

Midnight Mass premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2021, and remains available to stream on the platform.