Netflix has been putting all the meat on the grill for several years to get into the pockets of fans of the series. Works such as The Witcher, The Squid Game or The Curse of Hill House have unleashed a true mass phenomenon, and Midnight Mass, the new production of Mike Flanagan, it was not going to be for less. It is a psychological horror miniseries that has 7 chapters of approximately one hour in length. We tell you the reasons why you should give it a try.
Midnight Mass: What is the story about?
As its name indicates, religion has a great role during the development of history. Crocket Island is the territory of christian tradition for the most part; attending mass is non-negotiable for its inhabitants, although everything begins to change as soon as the Father paul he inherits the witness from Monsignor Pruitt. However – and without going into spoilers – there are many surprises and there are not a few subgenres that Flanagan touches as the script develops. Topics such as guilt and regret, hatred or xenophobia are present and develop as we get to know all the characters. The starting point introduces us to Riley Flyyn, a young man tormented by his involvement in a reckless homicide who lost his faith while in prison. Several years later he returns to the island with the intention of rebuilding his life, although things have changed a lot since his departure.
Mike Flanagan, a distinguished figure in the genre
The American writer, director and producer has become one of the most popular faces among horror lovers. Although his most acclaimed work is, without a doubt, The Curse of Hill House, Flanagan has terrified us on the screen for many years: Oculus, Hush, Ouija: Dawn of Evil, Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep They show that he not only knows how to make our hair stand on end; they also demonstrate their ability to address all kinds of subgenres.
The subtlety instead of the easy scare
Like we saw in The Curse of Hill House, the horror atmosphere of Midnight Mass simmers; the scares or jumpscares they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Instead, Flanagan has been able to create an environment in which tension, ranging from low to high, can be cut with a knife. The story, disturbing and full of script twists, puts on the table several very interesting themes, develops them without staying halfway and ends up shaping a circle that closes perfectly.
Crocket Island and its inhabitants
Everything that happens in the story is concentrated on a small – and humble – island called Crocket Island. Barely dozens of people live in it, and that is one of the keys to the success of the series: the commitment to a reduced number of characters, among whom practically all could be protagonists. Watching the first chapter is more than enough for us to meet almost all of them and become familiar with them.
Science, religion and cultural differences
Beyond the cornerstone of history, its development raises different points of view about sensitive topics that sometimes needs to be addressed. Crocket Island is a small village where not many people live, but among it we can find elements as interesting as the umpteenth battle between religion and science, in addition to the cultural clash that exists between people with different beliefs. In this sense, Flanagan has hit the nail on the head when it comes to treating them naturally, without giving rise to uncomfortable or forced moments, nor to the argument being diluted and seeing its rhythm jeopardized.
Midnight Mass: full cast
- Hamish Linklater (Padre Paul)
- Zach Gilford (Riley Flyyn)
- Henry Thomas (Ed Flynn)
- Kristin Lehman (Annie Flyyn)
- Igby Rigney (Warren Flynn)
- Kate Siegel (Erin)
- Michael Trucco (Wade)
- Annabeth Gish (Sarah)
- Crystal Balint (Dolly)
- Matt Biedel (Struge)
- Robert Longstreet (Joe)
- Samantha Sloyan (Bev)
- Annarah Cymone (Leeza)
- Vinvent Gale (Howie)
- Rahul Kohli (Sheriff Hassan)
- Rahil Abburi (Ali)
- AlexEssoe (Mildred)
- Carla gugino (Judge)
- Quinton Boisclair (Ángel)
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