Midnight Mass (2021) User Reviews

Refreshingly methodical. Don't expect horror.

[benjaminskylerhill · 8/10 · 25 September 2021]

This is NOT a horror. It is an extremely intelligent religious drama that contains some horror elements. And you know what? It is MAGNIFICENT at what it does.

From episode 1, I knew I was in for a treat from Mike Flanagan. This man knows how to write unique, compelling characters. Each tragedy is explored so deeply and so personally that the shocking plot revelations become much more hard-hitting.

Some of the dialogue is a little too intellectual to the point that it doesn't feel authentic, but it's always engaging nonetheless. Some of the story elements take too long to start truly making sense, but the conclusion is so satisfying that such a complaint sort of fades into the background.

The religious themes in this story could have been handled very simply, but Flanagan never wants to give us the easy answer. I've never seen a story dive so deeply into the complexities of personal faith and organised religion to the extent or with the tact that this one does.

This show will have me thinking for a long while yet. It's not perfect, but it's ambition has to be admired. What a unique tale. Hats off.

Hidden gem

[lucaschriskowalski · 8/10 · 2 October 2021]

Unlike the trash that Netflix mostly produces this was a surprise. There wasn't much hype before it's release and I purposefully didn't read too much about it. The underlying topic is familiar but the way it has been told here was new. More of this please Netflix.

Better than expected

[kjak-69010 · 9/10 · 25 September 2021]

I am generally not a fan of religion mixed in with my horror but this was extremely well written. Maybe more of a thought provoking somewhat disturbing drama than horror. It was definitely worth the time. I never ever want to watch it again though. In fact I don't think I want to hear any sermons or speeches for a long while. However, unlike a lot of reviews I have read on this site I feel that the sermons were justified in making the story more impactful.

This horror was meant for the inner intentions

[NFY00 · 8/10 · 25 September 2021]

One might think when starting this limited series he will have the usual scares of ghosts n demons esp that Mike flanagan is a master in portraying horror onscreen just as Stephen King works his horror magic on paper and leaves u to ur imagination while reading.

This is horror to the soul and the absolute identification of each person's "inner demons" and "inner intentions" that count in living and in dying..Religion is a mighty tool that if put in the hands of the wrong ppl would most definitely reek havoc on the rest of mankind whichever the religion is.

Great show brewed onto 7 episodes with equal doses. Can't be shortened and can't be lengthened. Just the perfect dose.

Great idea, concept and execution

[851222 · 9/10 · 30 December 2021]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Midnight Mass" was a terrific series about life, death, love, and loss. Sounds epic yet on the surface this show was about people on a island trapped in some things that goes beyond usual. I will spoil nothing, but the whole concept and plot is highly religious. Yet as not being much religious person myself i would like to say that its a highly rewording experience to watch this show - its way more then it looks like.

Directing by Mike Flanagan of which I'm a fan was amazing - he is definitely my favorite director when it comes to horror genre. Yet "Midnight Mass" is not a horror show. Its starts as a drama, then it moves to a mystery and by the end when everything was reveled i was fascinated by it for its idea, concept and plot. Acting was amazing by whole cast , but exceptions were Samantha Sloyan and Hamish Linklater - they were both out of this world good, some award must by won here. Also it was a dialog heavy show - there a lot of monologs were characters are just speaking for like 10 minutes straight. Just to be warned.

Overall, without spoiling it much, i can say that "Midnight Mass" is not a horror series. Its a bit of a mystery drama and at its core it is a series about fate and what would happen if any of us would get a second chance. And what a "miracle" can do to a one person who truly was a believer whole his life and whole his life he was working for god but saw no consequences for doing good.

The ending of a show was amazing and kept me thinking about the whole thing i saw and heard. Also there is a speech between characters about what happens after death - its one of the best dialogs and acting i saw in years.

And if you think more deeply - at its core "Midnight Mass" is a masterpiece which will probably won't be understood by many.

Intelligent, deep and not everyone's cup of tea.

[mstojkovic-60276 · 8/10 · 30 September 2021]

This show is definitely not for everyone's taste - thus, some of these really bad reviews that ALMOST had me fooled, but I decided to give it a shot anyway, knowing Mike Flanagans marvelous previous work. This is a very deep, intelligent, mostly monologue based drama, and yes it is very slow - but that's exactly what gives this show it's depth and weight. It makes you think and it really leaves you speechles, if you actually understood. If you like an action packed, superficial mind-relief, this is not for you. If you like exploring human mind, depth, faith, etc. - you won't regret it. Weird, yet again, wrapped up in an epic way.

Spectacular, I can't believe it released a year ago

[UniqueParticle · 9/10 · 25 August 2022]

Yet another well filmed series by Mike Flanagan! Starts off quite mysterious, spooky, and intriguing characters around a wonderful town. Midnight Mass doesn't seem to have much horror in it yet amazing direction all around for sure Mike is always a master of his craft! I love the mini series more than I expected.

Lots of rambling, and no one knows what old people look like.

[acoustichaos · 7/10 · 25 September 2021]

I have to say it. In this day and age when we can make some of the most astonishing and unbelievably realistic movie effects... We still can't apply makeup and effects to age younger people without making it look like young people wearing old people makeup. This instantly gives away a lot of the story. Going into the show without knowing the premise, the second I started spotting old people makeup, I knew they were going to get younger.

Rambling. Several characters have scenes where they talk at great length about one thing or another, and as much as I love a good dialogue... These just seem like awkward monologues addressed to each other. The spacing is strange, the cadence is off sometimes, and it genuinely sounds more like rambling than real dialogue.

So before I sound that way too, I'll just say I did enjoy the series, but in my opinion this is Mike Flanagan's weakest offering so far. I really loved his other shows, but this was a missed opportunity that just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Slow but worth it

[alexvali · 10/10 · 24 September 2021]

I had my doubts when I first began watching this series and I have to say that I was impressed. It's not the kind of horror you'd expect to see but it's the kind of horror that will make you think and care about its characters. Just give it a try and don't bail on it just because the first 3 episodes are developing too slow. I promise, you will be impressed.

Midnight Monologues

[djean-385-619019 · 6/10 · 25 September 2021]

This show was well acted and cinematography was cool. But the storyline was weak and filled with SO many unnecessarily long monologues that I found myself having to work to regain focus after my eyes completely glossed over time and time again. Cool idea, just not as well written as I would expect given who created this show (maybe I'm giving him too much credit seeing as hill house and bly manor were books). Also.......what's the deal with the dog being poisoned?

I loved this show and I am an atheist!

[aonm-86190 · 9/10 · 25 September 2021]

Though Midnight Mass has Christian and biblical aspects, it's also crazy and amazing. As an atheist, I tend to stay away from most religious based shows/movies that promote religious dogma, however, this show does none of that! Mike Flanagan did it again, showing his brilliant imagination and putting it down on paper. The cast was fantastic as well!

Great idea full of monologues

[angeliyo_2004 · 6/10 · 29 September 2021]

Just a great idea for a movie or a mini serial but for 7 episodes is too much dialogue. I like Flanagans work without any doubts but here the sermons arent only from the priest but everyone.

Slow and too many unnecessary monologues

[brides-27489 · 5/10 · 26 September 2021]

Each character would go on and on with their own " meaningful" monologue where it just felt forced and unnecessary. The overall story and execution was fine a little boring but I watched the whole thing and probably won't reccomend.

Flanagan did it again

[pazmandy-szilvia · 8/10 · 25 September 2021]

Really liked how the story is built up, slow burn and carefully dosed details... meanwhile the characters are also developing.

I was happy to see familiar faces from Hill House and Bly Manor and Hamish Linklater was stellar in the role of the priest.

Flanagan did it again, added an interesting twist to the horror genre and an awful lot to think about - such as what happens to us when and after we die?

Looking forward to his future works.

What's really scary about Midnight Mass

[GuRUCLANdotcom · 8/10 · 11 October 2023]

What's really scary about Midnight Mass is how actual Biblical scripture was used/interpreted to validate pure evil. And how so many don't understand scripture and give themselves over in trust believing that others do moreso and find themselves following and idolizing other people instead of the will of the LORD. Like sheep being led to slaughter. And the madness that occurs when people can't differentiate. "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction." A road paved with good intentions.

When this happens you end up with cults the occult and events like Jones Town, where a total of 981 died most of which drank cianide in a communion suicide pact. Those who became afraid and refused to drink were executed at gun point.

What's really scary about this movie is not the "Angel" but the will of man, and the horror man is capable of given Free Will. The same horrifying Free Will we see day to day in reality.

another good Flanagan show

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 4 October 2021]

Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford) returns home after spending four years in prison for a DUI which killed a young woman. His parents and younger brother live on a small island community with a struggling fishing industry. Father Paul (Hamish Linklater) takes over the Catholic parish after their longtime Monseigneur fails to return from the Holy Land. Dark and strange things are happening.

Mike Flanagan brought The Haunting of Hill House to Netflix. Now he has Midnight Mass. There are a couple of holdovers from his previous show. In this one, he is going all out with the Catholic faith. One can decry his slant on the church but one can also read his hope if one watches the show to the end. This has a few themes. In many ways, the horror aspect is subservient to the others. The mystery is not that big of a mystery. One can easily guess at it. Flanagan's big theme seems to be the corruptibility of organized religion but also the basic humanity within the religion's hopes. He's tackling guilt, death, blood, and sin. It's big hits of the Catholic song list. I can see this rubbing some people the wrong way. Also, it's a bit spooky but this is not a scary horror. More than anything, I like some of the long dialogue scenes that feel like listening to a sermon.

FLANAGAN'S TOP TIER.

[andrewchristianjr · 9/10 · 1 October 2021]

What really makes the show scary as hell is the concept. I got goosebumps and scared, not because of ghosts, not because of monsters but because of humans and their thoughts. Everything comes full circle and is so well written and I felt so happy and sad at what was going on while also in awe at how beautifully written and shot it was. Only nitpick being that the monologues were a bit too long sometimes.

Tedious monologues, pretty predictable, decent story and good cast

[ceonimdb · 6/10 · 4 October 2021]

The "twist" is obvious at the beginning if you're paying attention. The overall story is good but the constant self-righteous monologing is simply unbearable. I appreciated the efforts of the cast, the characters seemed genuine enough. But the whole thing starts to seriously unwind in the last couple of episodes, leaving a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.

What to ... believe

[kosmasp · 10/10 · 29 September 2021]

I have not seen the two previous shows/series the makers of this did, but they are on my watch list. Since they work seperately, there is nothing wrong with that of course and I only realized my "omission" once I was through binging this show.

It does sort of starts slow (if you take away the major life event that the show has a jump off point), but it gets deeper and deeper into .. madness. The slow and steady decline of certain people is quite harrowing to watch. With some you expect it and you can tell certain things they very likely have done that are anything but good ... if you wonder how they can live with that: easy, just pretend it was Gods will.

Now before you cry anything for me writing that, better believe that the show goes way beyond that point, when it comes to short comings of individuals when it comes to religious believes and other things of that matter.

So this has quite the social and religious commentary on and in it. It also without even saying it breaks with a myth ... but if I'd go into that, no holy water would be able to save me - pun very much intended.

The acting is amazing and if the ending of the last 3-4 episodes do not get to you ... well you may as well not have a breathing heart and red hot blood running through your veins - again with the puns I know. The script is also tight, giving characters/actors some time to go off and do some really amazing dialog (or monologues for that matter). The effects and the cinematogrpahy are awesome too! No doubt about that either.

Since this is horror, do expect there to be blood ... quite a lot of it actually. I did not know where this would lead, some may have already a better clue as to what is going to happen, but experiencing this without any prior knowledge is the best way to go at it. Now I got to finally watch these other shows ...

Starts out strong, then just drags on

[wb-chelsea · 7/10 · 26 September 2021]

I liked the premise and set up of the show. The core characters were also introduced and developed well in the first couple of episodes. However, it starts to lose steam around episode 4-5. The religious sermons and evangelical characters start to get repetitive and tiring. I get that this is supposed to be a commentary on real-life fanatics, but it didn't grab my attention for long given how drawn-out it was. We also don't get the explore the characters after their initial introduction, and a lot of the conflict or story seems superficial and one dimensional. As a result, I am not invested on what happens to any of them and am just waiting for the next jump scare. It's a shame because I like this type of horror (that's not campy or relying on gore), but this lays it on so thick with the religious stuff that it loses its way.

Modern Horror at Its Finest

[ottr09 · 10/10 · 24 September 2021]

This is an incredible show down to every last detail. Everyone in the cast gives a powerhouse performance. It is very conversational and a slow burn but the payoff is worth every second. If you are a fan of anything Flanagan has done in the past, I would HIGHLY recommend Midnight Mass.

Started well then monologue after monologue

[rockingruby · 6/10 · 27 September 2021]

The bad- Way to many monologues and predictable.

The goods- Well acted and at times entertaining, good cinematography.

6/10.

So, what's the deal with the high rating?

[TwistedTulip · 3/10 · 19 December 2021]

Are viewers afraid they're going to go to the hot place if they don't rate what is practically five sermons held together by a giant pink rat that eats cats, above a 2?

I literally just read a review that rates this mess a 10 and says: "Episode 6 and onward is good." Dude! There are 7 episodes in the entire series. You give it a 10 despite the other 5 (and in my opinion the last 2) being not good?

It's time for some normalcy in the world. This ain't it.

Amazing, I could see how people could get pulled into a cult.

[peppyhp79 · 10/10 · 30 September 2021]

Amazing show and what makes it so good is the actor who plays the priest. He is so charismatic that I could actually see how one could get swept away by these charismatic cult leaders. I feel like I am literally hang on every word he says, truly great casting and acting. Also, the story took a turn but I did not expect I still have two episodes to go but I had to let the world know how great the show is.

Shockingly Unique! 100% Worth it!!

[cuku_d · 9/10 · 18 October 2021]

The slow start goes perfect with the tone but also leaves you with sprinkles of craziness here and there to always keep making you wonder and theorize.

It's indeed fantastic from a human depth of understanding life, faith(blind faith even), and the depths of darkness a human can go of their selfishness but still call or hold themselves up as if they're a saint that can do no bad... only good.

Acting is superb, storytelling follows up and leaves enough room for you to guess enough ahead but yet again fail to guess half of the mystery. When you're watching this from the start, middle, and after you finish not only is it enjoyable and intriguing but it leaves deep enough thoughts on you as well to question things you may have or not wondered about in the past or the present and how you perceive things from another angle.

It's a complex story with every piece from start to finish there with a purpose and beautifully designed to work in connection to each other. Seven great episodes as it should be not overly stretched at all.

Is it worth your time? The answer is not only is it worth your time but it should be something you put ahead of other shows in terms of watching whether you want to enjoy something, for the time being, have limited time or else, this is a 100% Must Watch!