TV-Show Review - Midnight Mass (Mini-Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Horror/ Drama/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2021
Starring: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan, Annabeth Gish, Hamish Linklater, Michael Trucco, Rahul Kohli, Annarah Cymone, Igby Rigney, Alex Essoe, Rahul Abburi, Matt Biedel, Henry Thomas

Description: An isolated island community experiences miraculous events, and frightening omens, after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest (Hamish Linklater).

Review: Mike Flanagan’s latest creation, “Midnight Mass”, can be seen on Netflix since September 24^th. And it’s safe to say that this renowned horror director can add yet another top-notch project to his performance list.
In “Midnight Pass”, we follow an isolated religious island community on the cost of Northeast America. The center of this community is the Catholic St. Patrick’s church, and the priest of this church has been Monsignor John Pruitt for decades. However, after a trip to the Holy Land, he has fallen ill and is staying in a hospital on the mainland. His replacement is Father Paul, a young priest who by God makes miracles happen at St. Patrick’s. Another important islander is Riley Flynn. Some twenty years ago, as a young twenty-something, he left the island to pursue his dreams. But now, due to circumstances, he has returned. At first glance, time seems to have stood still on the island for centuries, but little do the inhabitants know that their home is on the brink of great ominous changes.
What “Midnight Mass” does well is that it slowly builds to a climax. Each episode dissects yet another part of the story and mystery. It takes its time to introduce the isolated religious island and its inhabitants. In addition, it becomes clear almost immediately that something is off. The isolation also gives you the sense of suspense, because if something happens one if dependent on the mainland. Furthermore, Flanagan is known for fleshing out his characters and certain themes well, in this case their relationship with religion and death. Flanagan also dislikes jumpscares, gore and a climax centered on a monster. In doing so, he joins a ranks of directors and writers who in recent years have walked away from mediocre but well-selling horror films that do focus on these things.
In takes guts to give a lot of attention in a horror production to people sitting around talking to each other about human themes like justice, guilt, depression, life meaning, the meaning of religion and what happens after death. Sure there are scary scenes in it, and even jumpscares, but this is done in a way that it adds something and they are effective. The atmosphere is often dark and creepy, which in the long run offers more suspense than a quick and loud sound. Thus, the series requires a certain amount of patience and interest in the above themes.
In conclusion, it can be said that “Midnight Mass” is one of the better horror production of the moment. Certainly it was the best TV-series I’ve seen in 2021. With an exciting dark atmosphere and well-crafted characters and themes, you will be on the edge of your seat.