Mike Flanagan has quickly become a major name in television, creating popular and critically acclaimed shows like Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Fall of the House of Usher. He’s also a favorite among Stephen King fans, having directed well-received adaptations of King’s work, including Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and his newest film, The Life of Chuck. Flanagan isn’t slowing down anytime soon; he’s currently working on a new version of The Exorcist, a Carrie series for streaming, and is also developing a series based on The Dark Tower.
Mike Flanagan’s success isn’t accidental; he consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of the horror genre, but his real strength lies in creating believable and engaging characters. He skillfully combines visual storytelling, suspense, and compelling personalities, marking him as a truly gifted filmmaker. His dialogue is so sharp, it rivals even the most celebrated writers like Quentin Tarantino. A turning point in Flanagan’s career came ten years ago when he released three films in a single year, each highlighting his unique talents. Unfortunately, these films remain surprisingly overlooked despite their quality.
How Did Mike Flanagan Have Three Movies Released in 2016?
Relativity Media
Making even one movie a year is incredibly difficult. Releasing three in a single year seems impossible, but Mike Flanagan managed to do it – and all three were fantastic. While Flanagan is known for being a hard worker and consistently taking on multiple projects, the sheer volume of work in 2016 wasn’t initially what he’d intended.
After directing the 2013 horror film Oculus, Mike Flanagan quickly began working on Before I Wake. The movie centers around a young boy whose dreams become reality while he sleeps, and the terrifying consequences his family faces. Before I Wake skillfully combines supernatural horror with difficult emotional themes, presented as a haunting fairy tale. Filming wrapped in 2013, and Relativity Media acquired the film in 2014, completing it by 2015. Unfortunately, the studio’s subsequent bankruptcy left the film stuck and unable to be released.
Despite finally being released, the film Before I Wake had a troubled launch. While it became available internationally in 2016, including some countries with physical copies, it wasn’t initially released in the United States. Eventually, Netflix acquired the film, and it premiered in the U.S. on the streaming service in January 2018.
While Flanagan was facing difficulties with his film Before I Wake, his career as a director wasn’t secure. He and his wife, Kate Siegel (who also starred), collaborated on a low-budget thriller called Hush. Released in 2015, the film features a deaf woman courageously defending herself from a home invader. Hush once again showcased Flanagan’s ability to create suspenseful and frightening scenes. It also highlighted Siegel’s acting skills and Flanagan’s innovative filmmaking techniques, like using silence to put the audience directly into the protagonist’s experience. Fortunately, Hush didn’t face the same distribution problems as Before I Wake. It premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in March 2016 and was quickly acquired by Netflix, becoming available for streaming in April.
Mike Flanagan’s Ouija: Origin of Evil was his third film of 2016 and served as a prequel to the poorly received 2014 movie Ouija. Having previously collaborated with producer Jason Blum on Oculus, Flanagan was brought on board after the first Ouija film showed some financial promise, despite negative reviews. Blum gave Flanagan significant creative freedom with the prequel, which was filmed in late 2015. The result was a remarkable turnaround for the franchise.
The original Ouija film was a typical, uninspired horror movie. However, Mike Flanagan approached the concept by delving into the board’s history and genuinely understanding its supernatural origins. He skillfully built suspense throughout, adding a few effective jump scares. What could easily have been a routine directing gig, Flanagan transformed into a showcase of his exceptional talent. He not only understands what makes horror work, but he also has a remarkable ability to tackle and elevate challenging material, offering a fresh perspective in a crowded field.
Flanagan’s 2016 Slate Displays an Impressive Array of Talent
Mike Flanagan had an incredibly diverse and impressive year in 2016. He released three distinct horror films: the dark fairytale Before I Wake, the intense home invasion thriller Hush, and the supernatural ghost story Ouija: Origin of Evil. Although all three fall under the horror umbrella, each explores a different subgenre and showcases Flanagan’s skill at building suspense with compelling characters. The lead character in Hush, Maddie, is arguably his strongest female protagonist, and deserves more recognition for her intelligence and resourcefulness. While the Ouija franchise eventually faded, that wasn’t due to Flanagan’s work – his film was a significant improvement over the first one. Unfortunately, Before I Wake faced release issues that prevented it from finding a wider audience.
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Mike Flanagan built a strong working relationship with Netflix through films like Before I Wake and Hush, which ultimately led to him directing several horror series for the platform. His critically acclaimed work on shows such as The Haunting of Hill House has also brought renewed attention to Hush, and his film Ouija is often overlooked because of its connection to a larger franchise. Flanagan had an unusual year in 2016, releasing three of his strongest films, all of which remain surprisingly underappreciated even now. As he continues to revitalize franchises like The Exorcist and The Dark Tower, and bring new life to the horror genre, hopefully, his 2016 films will finally receive the recognition they deserve.
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