Since the early 2010s, directorMike Flanaganhas led some truly amazing horror projects, and fortunately, many of his best works are currently available to stream on Netflix.Flanagan’s career first began in 2011when he directed his initial feature film,Absentia.After earning strong critical ratings, he went on to helm bigger and better projects, eventually taking on Stephen King adaptations. Soon enough, Flanagan transitioned to television,completing a successful deal with Netflix. Overall, Flanagan has proven himself to be a skilled filmmaker, with projects that no horror buff should miss out on.
In total,Flanagan has directed eight feature filmsand created five television series. More than half of these projects are included in Netflix’s catalog, ready for audiences to watch at any time. BecauseFlanagan’s works vary in terms of story and style, it is more than likely that viewers will find something to pique their interest. However, no matter what project they choose, audiences should expect an intensely dark atmosphere, wicked humor, and plenty of horrifying jump scares and visuals. To get a taste of Flanagan’s work, the following films and series are ideal.
8Before I Wake (2016)
A Young Boy Has Troubling Dreams
The earliest Flanaganhorror film that’s currently streaming on NetflixisBefore I Wake.One of three movies Flanagan wrote and directed in 2016,Before I Wakefollows a couple who begin to foster a young boy named Cody. When Cody reveals that he’s afraid to go to sleep, his fears seem pretty normal. However,it is soon revealed that Cody has vivid dreams that are prone to come to life, and if he happens to have a nightmare, the consequences could be dire.
Notably,Before I Wakeis the Flanagan movie with the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics gave it a mild 67%, while audiences were less forgiving, scoring the film with a 48%. Either way,Before I Wakeis a solid entry from Flanagan, who introduces a unique and tantalizing premisethat mixes horror with fantasy and drama. Though somewhat slow and dense, the film offers interesting metaphors about familial love and the manifestation of our fears.
Another Flanagan movie that premiered in 2016 isOuija: Origin of Evil.Acting as a prequel to 2014’sOuija,the movie centers on Alice, a young widow and mother who earns money by putting on fake seances in her home. Yet,when Alice begins incorporating a Ouija board into her sessions, she discovers that her scams may hold more weightthan they did before. Worse, Alice’s young daughter, Doris, begins to feel the effects of a demonic possession.
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Ouija: The Origin of Evilwas Flanagan’s first foray into a movie franchise, and it ended up being a successful endeavor. With an 83% critical score, the movie earned praise for its edge of weirdness, which was both unusual for a big Hollywood blockbuster, but also made the movie stand out within its genre. Many felt thatOuija: The Origin of Evilsaved the franchise. Notably, audiences were not nearly as enthralled by the movie, but that should not deter viewers from giving it a try.
The final Flanagan movie that audiences can access on Netflix isGerald’s Game.Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this movie is about a woman who travels to a remote cabin with her husband for a romantic getaway. In the midst of being intimate with each other,the woman ends up handcuffed to the bed, and somehow, accidentally kills her husband. From there, she begins to suffer delusions, with seemingly no way out of this horrifying scenario.
2017
2019
The Life of Chuck
2024
Arguably,Gerald’s Gameis the ideal Flanagan movie to watch. It has his highest Rotten Tomatoes score for a movie, 91%, and was really the project that proved to Hollywood that he could take on major horror retellings. With Flanagan’s tight direction and Carla Gugino’s intense performance,Gerald’s Gameis a masterclass in intensity and spine-tingling discomfort. In many ways, it is Flanagan at his finest.
Another Flanagan work that is amust-watch for horror lovers isThe Haunting of Hill House.The series is inspired by Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, and focuses onthe Crain family, who grew up in a gothic and creepy home called Hill House.When one of their siblings faces a tragic end, the other Crains must reunite to figure out what happened, and how their childhood played a role. Horrifying situations quickly ensue.
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WhileGerald’s Gameput Flanagan on the map for critics,The Haunting of Hill Houseis what made him popular among audiences.This mini series never lets a single minute go to waste, filling the entire show with compelling story and terrifying scares. Not only is the ensemble cast amazing, but Flanagan’s timing and atmosphere is undeniable.The Haunting of Hill Houseis the type of show to watch through your fingers, but nonetheless, it is a must-see series.
Just two years after Flanagan saw success with his first TV series, he put out the next one:The Haunting of Bly Manor.This time taking inspiration from Henry James’The Turn of the Screw,this show followsa young woman who is hired as an au pair to care for a man’s niece and nephew in England. Yet, when she arrives, she begins to see apparitions and suspects that something supernatural may be at play.
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Though not quite as beloved asThe Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manoris another fantastic project by Flanagan. Once again, he successfully merges familiar stories with completely refreshing scares. On top of that,The Haunting of Bly Manoris about more than just horror: it also delves into griefand family in a truly captivating way. With several of the same actors as inHill House, Bly Manoris another great series.
For those seeking something a bit different from Flanagan’s more popular TV series, a perfect choice isMidnight Mass.This show is centered on a young man who returns to his small hometown after serving four years in prison for killing someone in a drunk-driving accident. His hopes for peace are soon dashed, however,when his arrival coincides with that of a charismatic priest who begins to revitalize the town’s faith. That is, until a series of mysterious incidents start to take place.
Boasting an 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes,Midnight Massis another dark horror series, but is perhaps one of Flanagan’s more introspective pieces. While the show certainly has its horrifying moments, it really bases its sense of unease on important philosophical questions about morality, sin, and forgiveness.Not only willMidnight Masskeep audiences invested, but it will also leave them with important questionsthat may stick for a very long time.
In case there are any viewers who are hoping for a Flanagan project that is more appropriate for young viewers,The Midnight Clubis ideal. Based on a novel and short stories by Christopher Pike, this series focuses on eight teens who are struggling with terminal illnesses. In order to stay entertained,the kids go to a haunted manor at midnight every night and share scary stories,hoping to find some sign of the supernatural.
This is yet another Flanagan tale that takes its time, but this slow burn might be perfect for certain viewers who want to linger in this chilling world.
Though targeted toward a younger audience,The Midnight Clubis just as enjoyable as Flanagan’s other projects, and has the critical ratings to prove it. Though some felt torn in two directions by the show’s anthology-esque format, others were delighted by the show’s unique characters and their stories. This is yet another Flanagan tale that takes its time, but this slow burn might be perfect for certain viewers who want to linger in this chilling world.
1The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023)
Wealthy Siblings Start To Notice Their Heirs Dying One By One
Finally,Flanagan’s most recent TV endeavor, which is available to watch on Netflix, isThe Fall of the House of Usher.Inspired by stories written by Edgar Allan Poe,The Fall of the House of Usherrevolves around two siblings who created a successful pharmaceutical company. However, their impressive story begins to unravel as secrets come out, and their heirs start dying one by one in mysterious ways.
Despite being Flanagan’s fifth TV show,The Fall of the House of Ushernever feels repetitive or predictable. Somehow,Flanagan is able to once again rework these popular Poe horror storiesand turn them into something completely new. Furthermore,The Fall of the House of Usheris a bit different, as it focuses on family, but also greed and power. Ultimately, it is as good a place as any to start for those who want to get a taste ofMike Flanagan.
