Mike Flanagan’s Netflix Horror Series ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ Is Underrated

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Mike Flanagan’s horror series on Netflix have earned widespread acclaim, but The Haunting of Bly Manor often gets overlooked. A huge fan of Stephen King, Flanagan is currently bringing several of King’s most famous works to life on screen, including stories like Carrie and the expansive Dark Tower series. Despite his recent projects, his earlier, chilling Netflix shows remain memorable. Following the success of The Haunting of Hill House in 2018, he created Bly Manor, then Midnight Mass in 2021, The Midnight Club in 2022, and most recently, The Fall of the House of Usher in 2023.

Many still consider Hill House a groundbreaking horror story because of its focus on characters’ feelings and genuinely frightening moments. Midnight Mass is also popular with fans, offering a fresh take on a familiar idea. While The Haunting of Bly Manor initially gained a lot of attention, it hasn’t remained as prominent in conversation. This is unfortunate, as it’s a truly creepy and well-made series with memorable characters and a clever adaptation of the original story.

Mike Flanagan’s ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ Is a Fantastic Horror Series


Netflix

Netflix released all nine episodes of The Haunting of Bly Manor in October 2020, and the series is a masterclass in crafting an engaging Gothic ghost story. Victoria Pedretti, known for her role as Nell Crain in Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House, stars as Dani Clayton, a nanny who takes a job at a spooky old mansion and cares for the children Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) and Miles Wingrave (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth). Dani herself is dealing with personal loss as the story unfolds.

Similar to other shows by Mike Flanagan, Bly Manor examines the long-term impact of loss on families and delivers genuinely frightening moments, just like Hill House. The fourth episode, “The Way It Came,” is especially memorable for a startling ghost encounter and reveals key details about Dani’s past, including her fiancé, Edmund O’Mara (Roby Attal). But the series isn’t just scary; it also beautifully portrays a love story between Dani and Jamie, the gardener at Bly Manor (Amelia Eve).

Beyond being a compelling story on its own, Bly Manor is a fantastic reimagining of Henry James’s 1898 novella, The Turn of the Screw. It follows a similar plot and features characters like a governess caring for children named Flora and Miles in a historic mansion. The ending of Bly Manor is fresh and inventive, which is a plus even if you’re familiar with the original story – a too-faithful adaptation can often feel stale. Creator Mike Flanagan also drew inspiration from two other James stories, ‘The Romance of Certain Old Clothes’ and ‘The Jolly Corner,’ which served as the basis for Episodes 8 and 6 respectively. Both of these stories are eerie tales involving ghosts.

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Although The Haunting of Bly Manor made a splash when it was released in 2020, it’s arguably even more enjoyable to watch now. Fans of Mike Flanagan’s work will recognize his distinct style in this series, which features relatable characters grappling with grief, effective scares, and a consistently unsettling mood. It’s a dark and emotionally intense story with plenty of frightening moments for horror lovers, but it also offers a thoughtful exploration of love and loss.

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2026-01-03 03:32