If you haven't yet experienced Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass, you're missing out on one of Netflix's most haunting and rewatchable horror series. Since its 2021 debut, this seven-part miniseries has proven to be Flanagan's most personal and powerful work, weaving a tale of faith, fear, and the monsters we invite in. And here's the thing: it only gets better with each rewatch.
What Makes 'Midnight Mass' So Rewatchable?
Set on the isolated Crockett Island, Midnight Mass is a vampire story that leans heavily into themes of genuine and misplaced faith. Flanagan originally conceived it as a novel, then a feature film, before finally realizing it as a Netflix miniseries—a format that allows the story to breathe. As he told Collider, the project is deeply personal, grappling with questions about religion, mortality, and what it means to be alive. The series doesn't condemn belief itself but examines the dangerous fanaticism that can arise from it, brilliantly embodied in its unique take on vampirism.
Every element of Midnight Mass fires on all cylinders. Flanagan's distinct vision, The Newton Brothers' haunting score (especially the reimagined hymns), and a stellar cast—including Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, and Henry Thomas—create an atmosphere of dread and beauty. But the true standout is Hamish Linklater as Father Paul, whose hypnotic charisma draws the island's residents into a terrifying new faith. Linklater commands every scene, making his character both magnetic and menacing.
A Story That Unfolds With Every Viewing
Even if you know the ending, Midnight Mass invites you back to watch the townsfolk gradually fall under the spell of a supposed angel that is anything but divine. Like the best vampire tales—from Dracula to 'Salem's Lot—the series explores how evil can appear as light. Flanagan avoids black-and-white morality, instead wrestling with the complexities of good and evil, man and monster. That nuance makes each rewatch reveal new layers.
Since its release, Midnight Mass has drawn comparisons to Stephen King's work—one critic from the Chicago Sun-Times called it "the best Stephen King story that Stephen King never wrote." Flanagan, known for his King adaptations, has yet to top this original creation. It's a masterwork that tackles grief, alcoholism, and self-discovery alongside its horror elements.
For fans of Flanagan's earlier Netflix hits like The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass represents his peak. It's a series that rewards patience and attention, making it a perfect candidate for a rewatch. If you're looking for more hidden gems, check out our list of forgotten Netflix miniseries that deserve a second look.
Whether you're a horror aficionado or a newcomer to Flanagan's work, Midnight Mass is a must-watch—and a must-rewatch. It'll make your skin crawl, but that's exactly what you want from a master of the genre.
