Netflixhas many horror masterpieces in its catalog, among them a TV show with 93% onRotten Tomatoesthat even non-horror fans will enjoy. Over the years, Netflix has built an extensive catalog of movies and TV shows of different genres, though not all of them have had the same level of success.
A popular category on Netflix is horror, and its catalog has both licensed and original content. The latter has seen some of the best TV shows in recent years, with different styles to appeal to wider audiences. However,one of Netflix’s horror masterpiecesis a great watch not just for fans of the genre but also for those not into horror stories.
Even Non-Horror Fans Can Enjoy Netflix’s The Haunting Of Hill House
Some ofNetflix’s best horror TV shows in recent years have one key thing in common: Mike Flanagan. The horror master has been behind three of Netflix’s biggest horror hits (and others that didn’t perform that well):The Haunting of Hill House,The Haunting of Bly Manor, andMidnight Mass.
The Haunting of Hill Housewas Flanagan’s first TV show, and it was released in 2018. Based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel of the same name,The Haunting of Hill Housefollows the Crain family, who move into Hill House to renovate it, sell it, and build their own house.
Unexpected repairs force them to stay longer, and they begin to experience disturbing paranormal activity that follows them decades later.The Haunting of Hill Housewas a critical success and currently holds a 93% critics' score onRotten Tomatoes, but even though it’s a horror show,it’s also a family drama and a story about trauma, isolation, and guilt.
Most Of Mike Flanagan’s Netflix Horror Shows Don’t Rely On Easy Scares
Despite being a horror show,The Haunting of Hill Houseis unlike most shows of the genre.Flanagan’s Netflix horror showsfavor character development and use their fantasy and horror elements as part of that development instead of for jump scares.
While some of the supernatural elements inThe Haunting of Hill Houseare definitely terrifying, the real horrors come from the emotional and psychological impact these have on the characters. Although the characters deal with supernatural activity, their struggles, trauma, and fear are relatable, further makingThe Haunting of Hill Houseone of the scariest, deepest, and smartest horror shows in recent years.
After The Haunting Of Hill House, You Should Watch Flanagan’s Other Shows
As mentioned above,The Haunting of Hill Housewas Flanagan’s first TV show, as well as the first entry in hisThe Hauntingseries. Released two years later,The Haunting of Bly Manorwas released on Netflix, and it’s based on Henry James’ 1859 novellaThe Turn of the Screw.
The Haunting of Bly Manorfollows Dani, a young au pair who arrives at the Bly estate to look after a boy and a girl. However, once there, she sees apparitions that begin to haunt the place.The Haunting of Bly Manorholds an 88% critics' score onRotten Tomatoes.
Despite not being connected stories,The Haunting of Bly Manoris the perfect companion toHill House.Bly Manorhas the same approach to horror asThe Haunting ofHill House, and explores the trauma, guilt, and emotional turmoil of its characters.
Last but not least, there’sMidnight Mass, released in 2021.Midnight Massis an original story by Flanagan, and it follows a young man who returns to his hometown on Crockett Island. His arrival coincides with that of a young, mysterious, but charismatic priest, and mysterious events begin to happen around town.
BothThe Haunting of Bly ManorandMidnight Massrely more on psychological horror and character development than jumpscares – and thanks to all this, non-horror fans will also enjoy Mike Flanagan’s three bestNetflixshows.
