'Midnight Mass' is full of enraging hypocrisy and beautiful irony
Last week, Mike Flanagan unleashed his latest creation on Netflix. "Midnight Mass" brings the audience to Crockett Island, a small, sleepy town haunted by its own residents’ past mistakes. A 'new' priest enters the picture and starts healing the town with miracles. Disaster and chaos soon follow.
The “Haunting of Hill House” and “Hush” creator followed his typical style of mixing horror with tragically emotional stories and dynamic characters. "Midnight Mass"’ cinematography also followed his norm with quiet, beautiful moments alongside shockingly gory images. Some cast members from his previous shows and films have also made a return. “Haunting of Hill House” alumni in the "Midnight Mass" include Kate Siegel, Henry Thomas and Samantha Soyan, who also starred in “Hush.” Returning from “Haunting of Bly Manor” is Rohul Kohli in the role of the town sheriff.
For starters, "Midnight Mass" screams Old Testament. God’s will throughout the show is interpreted to enable violent and vicious acts. When the new priest murders and tears apart the neck of a town member, Bev recites a Bible verse that makes it appear that the murder was simply God acting through the priest. The main difference is that the events in the Old Testament occurred through God and in "Midnight Mass," they are forced by a racist, hypocritical overgrown Girl Scout with a superiority complex playing God and gatekeeper. Bev is a woman who works for the church and manages to become dislikable from episode one. This show is gory, frustrating and a little bit beautifully heartbreaking. It is odd how the giant flying 'angel' with glowing eyes and a taste for human blood was not the most unnerving part of the show. The most horrifying part is Bev’s ability to use the Bible in any situation to gaslight, horrify and shame to get whatever she wants.
Although the show’s most emotional plot lines revolve around a mix of other town members, Bev arguably runs the entire conflict. At any instance she can, she uses verse to justify any horrible actions by loose interpretation. She is the perfect example of a toxic believer. Bev is also extremely hypocritical in her beliefs. She preaches Catholicism and God’s love for everyone, but basically also believes it is more okay for certain people to be murdered in town over others because of their sins. Every belief she also has is applied to everyone except her in the moments it counts. In the end, she ironically perishes next to people she judged her entire life in the same manner and it is satisfying to watch. The show also explores different perceptions of death and redemption. Out of all the character arcs, Riley sees the most emotional growth.
The show begins with him accidentally killing a girl in a drunk driving incident. By the end, he is one of the only people who are able to resist his temptations. His conclusion is touching and tragic as he finally receives peace of mind. Overall, Mike Flanagan has once again produced a binge-worthy series full of horror and heartbreak. His messages are powerful and lasting. "Midnight Mass" is definitely on brand with Flanagan’s other creations and will leave watchers pondering their lives and beliefs.