The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) User Reviews

People need to be more aware.

[durham100 · 8/10 · 10 October 2020]

So many people saying it isn't horror - well they are right. Haunted house tales are not horror, they are ghost stories. This is slow in building, atmospheric and extremely intelligent. The performances are wonderful, the kids especially, and once you get to where the characters don't know where they are in the story you will really need to think. This is everything a ghost story should be. For those diappaointed check out The Haunting from 1963 - you don't see a single spook or apparition in that movie but to this day it still scares the heck out of me. That is a ghost story.

Horror movies are lazy, they don't require the viewer to do anything because they just aim to make you jump or gross out. Ghost stories however, they get the hairs on your neck prickling up and make you check behind you now and again - just in case. This is great stuff and I hope so much there will be more.

Well done to all involved.

Just OK

[katharina-muellner · 7/10 · 10 October 2020]

I looooved the Hill house and was looking forward to the same creators producing a new masterpiece, but in my opinion they didn't. The first 4 episodes are sooo slow and borderline boring, to the point where I almost stopped watching. Glad I didn't, because the 2nd half was way better. But all together it didn't hit a home run for me. Not bad, just not great.

btw am I the only one who got annoyed by "perfectly splendid"?!

Its about grief

[mr_bickle_the_pickle · 8/10 · 12 October 2020]

I've seen some complaints that the show is slow. But you know what, its a gothic ghost story. Its supposed to be more atmospheric than straight up action packed and so in that regard, I think it delivers. It is still horror. Ive also seen people call it a gothic love story and even the show hints (at the end) that all love stories are ghost stories. But my interpretation while watching it, is that its a story about grief. And how that manifests in each of us. How we're literally haunted by our past like Dani. How we become the worst versions of ourselves like Henry. How we live in denial like Mrs Grose. How we become bitter like Peter Quint. How we can get lost in our memories (good or bad) because its all we have left. I think its a very beautiful and tragic story when we look at it from that perspective rather than solely focusing on the spook factor.

That being said, there are some good spooks too. And I think its well acted. I think the show could have done a better job at establishing the relationship between Mrs Grose and Owen more. They did feel more friends throughout and then the last episode tries to convince that they both were secretly in love with each other. I didnt wholly believe that. I wish more was done with Edmund. Yes, he gives Dani some backstory and yes it fits in with my grief theory. But at the same time, it felt like he was thrown in mainly to be a bit of a red herring for the first couple episodes. And his and Dani's conclusion to their storyline wasnt as satisfying. Episode 3 ends with them just staring at each other and then he is never seen or brought up again.

Overall good. But also sad.

Need to forget about Haunting of Hill House, it's a different beast altogether!!!

[mubaraktheking · 10/10 · 10 October 2020]

I loved this amazing show very much. I was expecting something like Haunting of Hill House, but it's very different. Later I understood that it's a love instead of a horror story and from there on I totally got lost into it. Flanagan has really done a fantastic job, but I think the marketing team messed up a little bit here. It should be marketed differently from the previous one because these two are actually two totally different genre stories.

I can't say much mostly because I am still lost in this beautiful love story and it's so freaking satisfying. I do say that the first 4 episodes could have been shorten into just 2 but it really picked up from episode 5. I also would say that I did miss the Bent -neck lady here but Episode 5 came really close. Last two episodes are real master pieces.

I really have nothing bad to say about this show... People just remember, forget about Haunting of Hill House before you watch this. It's a entirely different story.

It's not a horror story, It's a love story!!!

[bhuwans-94428 · 9/10 · 9 October 2020]

This story has so many turning points ,just like the hill house and the growth of each character is just "perfectly splendid". You will laugh ,you will fear,and you definitely would love on how gradually and mysteriously the story grows. They actually did save the best for the last . The story has so many folds and yet doesn't loose it's touch of sense and keeps us guessing what's going on . The last 2 episodes joins all the loose ends , solves all the mysteries and answers all the questions that you have in your mind since the 1st episode. You might find yourselves confused about what's happening and how it's happening ,and the show writers have done a great job letting us guess and wonder on what's going ,that even if we are right ,there is another twist to that theory. This was a show of beautiful writing, beautiful acting and most importantly ,a show that ends with peace .

Turn of the Screw

[imuckenschnabl · 9 October 2020]

Very nice and spooky new adaptation of Henry James' classic gothic ghost novel . Well well done! For me a 8,5/10

Phantom Menace

[southdavid · 7/10 · 20 October 2020]

A year ago, I watched and enjoyed "The Haunting of Hill House" so was very happy to find that the spiritual sequel had made it to completion before covid shutdown. Much like last years effort, the scarier aspects are just trappings really, with "Bly Manor" being a tragic, or perhaps a series of tragic, love stories - with ghosts.

Dani Clayton (Victoria Pedretti) comes to a big Stately home in England to act as Nanny for two small children, who's parents have died. Though the children are charming, both Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) and Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) are prone to spells of absence, or sudden personality shifts. The house is old and has been around for centuries and has many ghosts, both literal and figurative, but Dani has a secret, that she has been haunted by a figure from her past long before arriving in Bly.

My gut feeling is that, particularly after the opening few episodes, "Bly Manor" is less scary than "Hill House" was. So, if being scared is all the worth you're going to attribute to the show, then you'll almost certainly be disappointed. (I do accept that it's not advertised that way and maybe that needs addressing if there's a third version next year). The "secret" ghost idea returns from "Hill House", so much of the fun is spent scanning the backgrounds for the ghosts in various doorways, at the end of corridors and in mirrors, just quietly watching the action unfold.

Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas and Carla Gugino all return from last year. But they're joined by Amelia Eve, Tahirah Sharif and most importantly by the pair of T'Nia Miller and Rahul Kohli as the Manor's housekeeper and cook respectively and the shows most compelling will-they-won't-they-pair.

Admittedly, the show could have done with a few more surprises or, perhaps less predictable twists, along the way. A couple of the shows reveals we had the gist of well before it was actually revealed. For reasons I shouldn't explain, Carla Gugino is attempting a Northern English accent which I feel I want to award points for effort for, even if it's not entirely successful. Henry Thomas' plummy Southern accent is even less so.

I'd have liked scarier, I'd have liked a few more unexpected twists, but ultimately I enjoyed this melancholy, gothic, tragic story and hope to return to the house next year.

On it's own, it's a beautifully emotional story about grief and love.

[teiixeiral · 8/10 · 13 October 2020]

I loved Hill House but this isn't Hill House, it's Bly Manor. As soon as I got that into my head I was able to enjoy Bly Manor for what it is.

Yes, the season is a bit of a slow start as the setting is being established and the "rules" for the haunting. But even in its slow start the writers are doing tremendous work and there are some phenomenal performances. Most American actors suck at a British accent, so I can overlook that. Though I do find it hilarious how people were shaming Owen's accent when the actor used his real accent for the role.

As the story picks up and the audience puts the pieces together there are many emotional revelations. Since the characters are so well crafted the ending is both fitting and devastating. If that ending doesn't make you cry, then you're a cold person.

I probably won't be watching Bly Manor again whereas I rewatched Hill House plenty of times but I hope that Netflix will consider renewing the series for another haunting because I really love the work the writers, cast and crew are doing here.

Pretty good but not close to Hill House

[sloncarvuca · 7/10 · 10 October 2020]

Show looks amazing, it has a really good story but it just can't compete with Hill House. Show is mostly based around the horrors of existence, loss, death and love. It doesn't really have a lot of "disturbing" horror aspects like Hill House whom at the times felt really disturbing and creepy. Jumpscares are toned down quite a lot. Story is pretty self explanatory although it does take it's time. I would still recommened it to people.

I loved it

[kaelynkhowe · 10/10 · 12 October 2020]

I don't understand why so many people are rating this poorly? It definitely had its creepy moments and honestly, I enjoyed this storyline more than the last version! I think people need to stop comparing it to the first season and rate it as it's own thing. Please do not listen to the bad reviews and give it a go!

Worth Watching

[judytex · 7/10 · 11 October 2020]

The ending episodes were great and finally had me shedding tears and changing my rating from 7 to 8 and back to 7. The 8 was strong near the end; however, there was some dragging and confusion in other parts. I especially enjoyed all the characters and their relationships. A bit past the midpoint there is an excursion back in time, which show the haunting's origin in a separate, although complete story. I'm glad I watched it, but I don't think I'll watch it again.

Absolutely loved this

[sumayyajames · 10/10 · 3 October 2023]

This is such an intelligent ghost story, so many tragic tales within one tale, much concentration on the back stories of different characters. The standard of acting is superb, Hannah the housekeeper stood out for me and her story was both moving and tragic. The children did speak in a very strange way, but the reasons for this become clearer as the story unfolds. I do not understand the criticisms about accents as most of the actors are actually English, one Scottish and a few American so they are not fake.

I highly recommend this series for viewers who like a deep, emotional yarn, not a blood and guts horror. Excellent, really excellent.

A slow burning ghost story with beautiful ending

[anastasia_z-41358 · 7/10 · 17 October 2020]

The show had the potential to be more intense and memorable, even a lot scarier, and it did fall flat, true. But it deserves more than 2 and 3 stars. It definitely gets boring around the middle as you feel that you are watching the same episode again and again where nothing really happens and you understand no more than you did in the previous one. The last two episodes make up for it though. It ultimately all makes sense and it ends on a hopeful note. Had the scenario been tighter and had the directors not dropped some great opportunities to create some chilling scenes, this show could easily get a 9 or 10 rating.

Glad I'm not alone

[scarolafrank · 2/10 · 15 October 2020]

This show was "Absolutely dreadful". I felt like I was waiting the entire season for something to happen. I wanted to throw the kids in the stupid lake and call it a day.

Distinctly Different From Its Predecessor--But Equally Mesmerizing

[zkonedog · 10/10 · 14 November 2020]

After having thoroughly enjoyed--to the tune of 10/10 stars--The Haunting of Hill House a few years back, I was shocked to see the middling-to-negative reviews of this follow-up anthology effort. After completing The Haunting of Bly Manor, however, I believe I have a much better grasp on what is transpiring: this second effort is not a jump-scare, bump-in-the-night horror show (granted, Hill House was much more than "just" that, too). No, Bly Manor is equal parts mystery and love story. Fortunately, it is every bit as compelling as its predecessor.

For a very basic overview, Bly Manor sees young au pair Dani (Victoria Pedretti) taking on the two young charges--Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) & Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth)--of Henry Wingrave (Henry Thomas) at his family manor. When Dani arrives, however, she is greeted by weirdness of all sorts, from ghostly apparitions to specters of past Bly residents, such as Peter (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and the previous nanny, Miss Jessel (Tahirah Sharif).

First and foremost, one must know right off the bat that Bly Manor does not feature the same atmosphere as Hill House. While that show was all about deep sibling/familial drama and horrifying creatures, this one is a love story at heart. A bit more whimsical or fanciful, at times, but just as biting in the end.

Series creator/writer Mike Flanagan deserves a large share of the credit for making this such an incredible and emotional journey. He clearly knows exactly what he is doing, and is always a step ahead of the viewer (sometimes even openly winking at that very fact!). His ability to manipulate time, space, and emotion to tell a story is truly remarkable. He features a unique style that is like a thumbprint on all his works.

The cast is also fantastic from top to bottom, as many of the Hill House regulars are put back to work here. Besides those already mentioned, other crucial roles are played by Amelia Eve, Rahul Kohli, Carla Gugino, and Kate Siegel. Besides some heavy British accents that make close listening a must, the acting is award-worthy almost across the board. I was especially impressed by Pedretti, who graduates from a very supporting role in Hill House to almost the unquestioned lead here.

Another unique success of Bly Manor: Though a show that aches to be binged (simply due to the overall quality present and the desire to see its mysteries played out), each episode stands for something of its own as well. Certain episodes are character-centric, while the penultimate tale (a black-and-white origin story of the Manor) I'd hold up against any TV episode I've seen in quite some time (perhaps since the Bent-Neck Lady in Hill House!). In other words, a nice mix of charge-ahead excitement and reflection.

Going into Bly Manor, I honestly did not think it could top Hill House in terms of overall quality. It may not, truth be told, but the distinction is irrelevant because they are both 10-star achievements. In Bly Manor, you won't get exactly the style of what Hill House provided, but the storytelling, emotion, and acting are every bit its equal.

Loved this Turn of the Screw

[robassa · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

I loved this story for many reasons. I liked Hill House as well, but they are different stories that should be enjoyed individually.

Bly Manor delivers the same amount of horror and complexity of the characters...but adds romance as a major topic. I liked this diversity in storytelling, this little change.

It is lightly based on The Turn of the Screw, a gothic novel by Henry James. They did an awesome job in creating a coherent story from a boring novel with to many possible interpretations. In the series the story is well explained and has a clear ending.

Loved the depiction of the lesbian romance and its relevance in the story.

Hill House was awesome, so well written, but the final chapter seemed poor in comparison to the others, and the ending "rushed". In Bly Manor, the story is more coherent and has a better written ending.

Not what I was waiting for

[tostesarantes · 7/10 · 10 October 2020]

Don't create expectations based on "Hill House". There are much less scares/chills here to face. Although I consider it really worth to watch, I need to say that sometimes the narrative rhythm go so slowly that prejudice the development of plot and characters, giving me a feeling that something is missed. A problem they didn't had in Hill House.

Thank you, Mike Flanagan!

[exisce · 10/10 · 18 December 2020]

I am writing this review after watching this show for two times in a row in six days. "The Haunting of Bly Manor" is a masterpiece, that's all I have to say. An outstanding cinematographic work, which brings together a great script, amazing setting and dialogues, excellent actors, remarkable music, beautiful cinematography, and everything else that goes into an intelligent first-class movie.

Every episode has a great storytelling, every episode unravels something wonderful and touching, there are lots of amazing details for an attentive viewer to notice (which I am not going to mention to avoid spoilers). The love stories are all very moving and even heartbreaking. All cast is excellent, but Oliver Jackson-Cohen is just unbelievable as Peter. Makes you love the character no matter what. I could go on and on.

Please do not watch this is you expect a horror movie. I didn't even think that "The Haunting of Hill House" was a horror, let alone this one so mistakenly marketed as the second season. This is drama at its core, despite its name and the ghosts, and the supernatural activity that this show contains. I think "The Haunting of Bly Manor" should be watched from a totally different perspective. Please take time and effort to appreciate the show the way it is, and it may become one of the most satisfying movie experiences in your life. Just like it did for me.

Inconsistencies and conveniences

[edwin-wks · 6/10 · 21 October 2020]

As the finale of The Haunting of Hill House unravelled, every little piece fell into place neatly and the perfect puzzle was revealed. Not so much with The Haunting of Bly Manor. A few inconsistencies one can overlook but there were too many liberties taken to weave together all of the elements of the story and the end result more resembled a patchwork quilt.

1. Viola only appears at night and so do the other old souls (her sister, the plague doctor, the exorcist and the little boy) that she claimed long ago. But the new souls (Peter, Rebecca and Hannah) materialize any time of the day.

2. Viola walks the grounds and the house every few days but apparently she had no activity between 1700 and 1985, and claimed no victims during this period, including when the Wingraves were in residence. Convenient.

3. Hannah is not immaterial by virtue of being oblivious to her death. So she wanders around like the living and continues to be the dutiful housekeeper. However she does not eat because she is no longer living; yet she drinks tea and wine.

4. Hannah and Rebecca are examples that one does not need to be a victim of Viola's wrath to be bound to Bly Manor. Only death on the cursed grounds will suffice. So where are all the souls who have died at Bly Manor since Viola's walking, including the plague deaths when the manor was used for quarantine?

5. Viola's sole purpose for her ghostly existence was to reunite with her daughter. Why did she not pick Flora up all those times she ran into her? When she finally had Flora in her embrace, why would she relinquish her simply because she was invited into Danielle whom she had just tried to kill?

6. Who was Flora looking at on those occasions when she glanced over Danielle's shoulder? Rebecca? Who moved Danielle's talisman from her bed in the dollhouse? The little boy? Both were unexplained.

"The Haunting of Bly Manor"

[actualbookworm · 10/10 · 10 October 2020]

Well, I didn't expect to be crying my heart out for this series, The Haunting Of Bly Manor. This is definitely much lighter than The Haunting of Hill House. Hill House would scare the living s**t out of you and Bly Manor would melt the living s**t out of your heart. This is a borderline between horror and romance but mainly romance. It will remind you of the days of Gothic Romance, say The Phantom Of The Opera or Dracula, and the like.

A tragic love story, enjoyable but can't contend with hill house masterpiece

[clairemaud · 7/10 · 10 October 2020]

I did definitely enjoy bly manor, the house itself is visually stunning, and the actors were all magnificent- some a bit shortcoming on the accents (Carla Gugino), though Oliver Jackson-Cohen did Scottish very well. The love stories were the best parts of the plot imo. I think it was ridiculously hard to do a follow to hill house and Mike Flanagan did an admirable job, it just didn't flow quite as well, and didn't capture the dread or fear as much. Still very watchable and enjoyable, just can't watch on repeat like hill house. solid 7.5 out of 10

I see how this can have so many mixed reviews.

[lanycera · 9/10 · 15 October 2020]

8.5 stars for me. It's very different to Haunting of Hill House. Less "horror" and more a story of love and obsession, ghosts and loss. In fact, it reminds me a bit of Haruki Murakami's stories. While I thought the first episodes were a bit lacking, the second half is definitely interesting - pretty much from "Altar of the Dead" onwards.

I thought it was great storytelling, I can see how people would be disappointed who expected Haunting of Hill House-like horror however.

If you don't expect it, and go in with a completely fresh mind, you're more likely to be hooked & be able to enjoy it for what it is. Something else entirely. If you want sheer horror, stay clear of it.

(And no matter what you expected or had hoped for, this show doesn't deserve anything below a 5 if you truly watched to the end. I can't think of many shows or movies I would have given that kind of rating, even when I didn't like them. It's equally silly to the low ratings on Haunting of Hill House. People should be a bit more reasonable.)

Lackluster

[exlana · 7/10 · 9 October 2020]

It's extremely well done. Great story telling, acting, cinematography and paced perfectly. Though it's pretty chilling, but it's not as scary as i expected it to be (at least not as scary as The Haunting of Hill House). Half the season in, and we barely see or get the backstory of the ghost, and more drama centered. Regardless, it's still a very good show.

edited: after watching the whole series, i kept waiting and waiting for something to happen, but unfortunately nothing much happen. The horror is very lackluster.

Patience didn't really make anything better.

[carinahos · 5/10 · 10 October 2020]

I just finished the last episode, the only reason why I actually finished this show was because the reviews had so many 10s... so I watched, sighed, watched again. By episode 5 I was really struggling, but pulled through because people said the last two episodes would be amazing. I was left disappointed to say the least. The Haunting of Hill House was what got me excited for this show, but I honestly think Bly Manor is meant for an entirely different audience. Will I still be watching the Youtube videos counting the ghost? Yes, but with not even close to the same enthusiasm as I had previously hoped.

Its a love story not a ghost story

[florencesaunders · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

Started off scary then turned into a love story. It was a beautiful ending with a meaningful message.

However wtf is up with the narrators accent - she's supposed to be the gardener - they sound nothing alike. Believe me a northerner would not pick up a Queens English accent mid way through life.