Director: Mike Flanagan
Starring: Kate Siegel, Rahul Abburi, Crystal Balint, Matt Biedel, Alex Essoe, Annabeth Gish, Rahul Kohli, Kristin Lehman, Robert Longstreet, Igby Rigney, Annarah Cymone, Samantha Sloyan, Henry Thomas, and Michael Trucco.
Runtime: 7 episodes x 40min
Our Rating: ★★★★
Rating: Unrated
Midnight Mass is the very definition of a slow burn of a show, and after you watch the entirety of the series that unintended pun will make a lot of sense. Mike Flannigan takes us on an unexpected journey by changing the show’s narrative a few times throughout each episode. The overall religious themes are always present coupled with heavy doses of soul-searching. Of course, because that my friends is the basis of all religion – seeking deliverance. Will these characters truly find salvation? And, most importantly who gets decide the form that salvation takes and who deserves it?
Tuck in, this is where I attempt to not spoil you guys. So, this shit is going to vague as hell. Enjoy!
MIDNIGHT MASS tells the tale of a small, isolated island community whose existing divisions are amplified by the return of a disgraced young man (Zach Gilford) and the arrival of a charismatic priest (Hamish Linklater). When Father Paul’s appearance on Crockett Island coincides with unexplained and seemingly miraculous events, a renewed religious fervor takes hold of the community—but do these miracles come at a price?
When you are first introduced to Crockett Island and its inhabitants you will find yourself immediately drawn into each character and you will be curious about their various backstories. You quickly learn there are many and some are quite sorted. Which is not surprising since all small towns usually have some dark tings going on behind closed doors. The island itself is almost a character, making it perfect setting for the story that is about to unfold. Anyone else notice how beautiful islands are in the daytime, and how spooky they seem to get at night?
The first episode will have you believing this will be a ghost story or a haunting because of the early events of Zach Gilford’s character, but as you move to the second episode you slowly realize there is something else at play on the island. Whatever, the underlying new element in the town is at first is quite benevolent, but it soon turns sinister. And, even after that there more plot twists. The cast overall is one of the best I’ve seen in a recent horror show, each actor gives a solid performance. Some of the characters backstory’s need maybe a little explaining, however I acknowledge the time constraints for each episode.
As far as horror shows go MIDNIGHT MASS has a significant body count, there is old school horror lore throughout. As stated above this is not an immediate action packed show, it does eventually get going. No, you will not be on the edge of your seat, but you will anxiously pull for certain characters survival and root for some comeuppance of a few people. You guys know I love a good, they had it coming moment. Just know there are several towards the end. The final episode of MIDNIGHT MASS is satisfying and actually a little heartbreaking in the end. And most important my horror dolls- there is BLOOD.
Director Mike Flannigan is becoming one of one of favorites. He has a knack for taking character studies and mixing them with horror and supernatural elements. The personal struggles each character is experiencing it just as important as the horror that is happening around them. Hat tips Mike.
Created and directed by Flanagan, the seven episode limited series also stars Kate Siegel, Rahul Abburi, Crystal Balint, Matt Biedel, Alex Essoe, Annabeth Gish, Rahul Kohli, Kristin Lehman, Robert Longstreet, Igby Rigney, Annarah Cymone, Samantha Sloyan, Henry Thomas, and Michael Trucco.
MIDNIGHT MASS is currently streaming on Netflix.