A young man returns to his isolated hometown on Crockett Island, hoping to rebuild his life after serving four years in prison for killing someone in a drunk-driving incident. He arrives at the same time as a mysterious, charismatic young priest who begins to revitalise the town's flagging faith. However, the community's divisions are soon exacerbated by the priest's deeds while mysterious events befall the small town.
Cast and characters
The cast for Midnight Mass consists of:[3][4]
Main
Zach Gilford as Riley Flynn, a former venture capitalist who returns to his hometown of Crockett Island after spending four years in prison for killing a woman in a drunk driving crash.
Kate Siegel as Erin Greene, Riley's childhood sweetheart, now a schoolteacher on Crockett Island and expecting a child. Siegel previously starred in Flanagan's 2016 film Hush (also co-written by Siegel) as Madison "Maddie" Young, presented within the film as the author of Midnight Mass.
Hamish Linklater as Father Paul Hill, the enigmatic new priest at St. Patrick's Church, who arrives to temporarily replace the aging Monsignor Pruitt.
Kristin Lehman as Annie Flynn, Riley's devout, forgiving mother.
Samantha Sloyan as Bev Keane, a zealous, overbearing, and influential member of the church.
Igby Rigney as Warren Flynn, Riley's teenage brother who serves as an altar boy at the church.
Rahul Kohli as Sheriff Hassan,[5] Crockett Island's Muslim sheriff, generally accepted by the island's predominantly Catholic population but viewed skeptically by many.
Annarah Cymone as Leeza Scarborough, the mayor's devout daughter who uses a wheelchair following an injury.
Annabeth Gish as Dr. Sarah Gunning, the town's local doctor, and Erin's close friend.
Ebony Booth as Tara-Beth, the teenage girl killed by Riley in a drunk driving crash
John C. McDonald as Bowl, a local drug dealer
Episodes
The title of each episode is a book in the Bible. Each episode contains a scene referring to the Biblical book.[8]
Development
Production
Series creator Mike Flanagan described Midnight Mass as a passion project, one that was "deeply personal" and dealt intimately with Flanagan's upbringing in the Catholic Church, and his eventual sobriety and atheism.[9] He conceived the idea first as a novel, then as a film script, then as a television series that he unsuccessfully pitched to various production companies (including its eventual distributor Netflix) in 2014. Flanagan and Kate Siegel then adapted Midnight Mass as a story within a story in their 2016 film Hush, in which Midnight Mass is presented as the most popular book by Siegel's character, Maddie Young, with Flanagan then planting the Hush prop book bearing the Midnight Mass title as an Easter egg in his 2017 film Gerald's Game, as a means of "keeping the idea alive over the years".[10] Prior to the series' production, Flanagan created the critically acclaimed horror series The Haunting of Hill House for Netflix, which released in 2018, as well as its 2020 follow-up The Haunting of Bly Manor.
On July 1, 2019, Netflix announced that Midnight Mass would be a seven-episode miniseries, with Flanagan serving as its writer, director and executive producer.[11] In February 2020, Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel and Hamish Linklater were announced as lead roles for the series.[12]
Production was originally scheduled to commence in March 2020, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]Midnight Mass entered production on August 17, 2020, in Vancouver, British Columbia and concluded on December 15, 2020.[14][15][16] Production built the town set at Garry Point Park, a seaside public area outside Vancouver, which stood in for Crockett Island.[17]
Music
The soundtrack for Midnight Mass was released in September 2021. The music for the series was scored by The Newton Brothers, Andy Grush and Taylor Newton Stewart, who have worked with series creator Mike Flanagan on each of his projects since his 2013 film Oculus.[18] The soundtrack features reimagined Christian hymns, along with original pieces from The Newton Brothers.[19]
Release
Midnight Mass was released on Netflix on September 24, 2021.[2]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an 87% approval rating with an average rating of 8.10/10, based on 97 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "An ambitious meditation on grief and faith that is as gorgeous as it is unsettling, Midnight Mass's slow boil is a triumph of terror that will leave viewers shaking – and thinking – long after the credits roll."[20]Metacritic gave the series a weighted average score of 75 out of 100 based on 23 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21]
Critics praised Flanagan's direction, the performances, and the series' unique approach to the vampire genre. Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly gave the series an "A−" grade and wrote that it "isn't perfect, but it is a keenly affecting, beautifully acted reflection on death, faith, guilt, addiction, and the power of free will."[22] Judy Berman of Time gave it a very positive review, calling it Flanagan's best series yet and praised the performances of Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel and especially Hamish Linklater.[23] Jen Chaney of Vulture called Linklater's performance "phenomenal" and believed he elevated the series to "moments of greatness," writing: "he speaks as if he's discovering his way through every sentence and wants you to come with him."[24] David Fear of Rolling Stone wrote, "the three-layers-deep work that Linklater is doing over these seven episodes is extraordinary." Fear also praised Flanagan's directing, stating that "It’s the way that [he] carefully sets everything into place in anticipation of a bigger-picture nightmare that makes the payoffs so satisfying."[25]Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times called the series "the best Stephen King story Stephen King never wrote" and stated, "even though this is an original work from Flanagan, it feels like a high-level adaptation of a particularly haunting King novel."[26]
The series' writing and pace drew more mixed responses, with frequent criticism directed at monologue-heavy script. Jack Seale of The Guardian gave the series three out of five stars, praising Flanagan's filmmaking, but criticizing the series for its "bloated dialogue" stating that "When the end comes at last, there is a lot of fire and viscera, but no rapture."[27] Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the series two and a half stars out of four, further criticizing the dialogue and religious themes, stating that the series "can be a little exhausting in its preachiness." Tallerico felt that the series' emphasis on philosophical examination came at the expense of its horror elements, writing, "most of the lengthy conversations are well-scripted, engaging enough in their dialogue, but they also drain a lot of the momentum from the piece." He also criticized the series' visual effects as "generally inferior to both Haunting projects," stating "Flanagan has always worked better with shadows in the dark than when he has to reveal them."[28]
The show's creators insisted that the series was not anti-religious or anti-Catholic.[29] A Catholic priest who reviewed the show said its depiction of how religion treats sin was accurate, but the series showed a poor understanding of how religion treats afterlife,[30] while Premier Christianity states that the show "contains some of the fairest treatments of Christian characters I’ve seen on screen" and "also has a prophetic message to the Church."[31]
Kohli's character has received praise from Muslim viewers, many citing him as a rare example of positive, accurate Muslim representation. The scene where he argues about religious texts in public schools has also been praised as an accurate reading of a Muslim perspective on Jesus.[32][33] Kohli said in Michael Rosenbaum's podcast Inside of You that the role was his most difficult. Kohli is "not Muslim, not American, not a dad, and not forty," and thus had a hard time in the role.[34]
Accolades
References
^Kennedy, Michael (January 22, 2020). "Midnight Mass: What We Know So Far". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^ a bPetski, Denise (August 9, 2021). "'Midnight Mass': Mike Flanagan's Netflix Horror Series Unveils First Trailer, Premiere Date". Deadline. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
^Gemmill, Allie (February 5, 2020). "Mike Flanagan's 'Midnight Mass' Cast Includes 'Hill House' Alums Henry Thomas & Kate Siegel". Collider. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Squires, John (August 17, 2020). ""Midnight Mass": Filming Has Begun on Mike Flanagan's New Netflix Horror Series". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Rahul Kohli [@RahulKohli13] (October 8, 2021). "Okay this is getting embarrassing now. His name is Sheriff Hassan..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
^Williams, Jordan (September 26, 2021). "Where To Spot Carla Gugino's Midnight Mass Cameo". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
^Maas, Jennifer (September 27, 2021). "'Midnight Mass' Producers Break Down Biblical References to Father Paul's Heavenly Secret". The Wrap. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
^Williams, Jordan (September 26, 2021). "Midnight Mass' Books: Every Episode Title Meaning Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
^Flanagan, Mike (September 27, 2021). "The Deeply Personal Horror of 'Midnight Mass' – Guest Essay by Filmmaker Mike Flanagan". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
^King, Darryn (September 24, 2021). "Mike Flanagan Explores His Private Horrors in 'Midnight Mass'". The New York Times. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
^Roots, Kimberly (July 1, 2019). "Haunting of Hill House Creators' Horror Series Midnight Mass Greenlit at Netflix". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Petski, Denise (February 5, 2020). "'Midnight Mass': Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel & Hamish Linklater To Lead Cast Of Netflix Horror Series". Deadline. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Hermanns, Grant (March 13, 2020). "Netflix Delays Production on Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Baxter, Joseph (August 17, 2020). "Mike Flanagan Netflix Series Midnight Mass Starts Production". Den of Geek. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^Travis, Ben (August 17, 2020). "Mike Flanagan Marks First Day Of Shooting On New Netflix Horror Series Midnight Mass". Empire. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
^"DGC BC Production List" (PDF). Directors Guild of Canada. September 18, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
^St. Clair, Josh (September 24, 2021). "Is Crockett Island From Midnight Mass a Real Place?". Men's Health. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
^Ehrlich, Brenna (April 12, 2021). "From 'Doctor Sleep' to 'Midnight Mass': Mike Flanagan and the Newton Brothers Discuss Collaborative Magic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
^Mithaiwala, Mansoor (September 24, 2021). "Every Song In Midnight Mass". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
^"Midnight Mass". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
^"Midnight Mass – Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
^Baldwin, Kristen (September 23, 2021). "Midnight Mass review: A deeply affecting tale of faith gone wrong". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
^Berman, Judy (September 20, 2021). "Netflix's Catholic Horror Story Midnight Mass Is One Hell of a Halloween Binge". Time. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
^Chaney, Jen (September 23, 2021). "Midnight Mass Provokes More Thoughts Than Screams". Vulture. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
^Fear, David (October 5, 2021). "The Most Terrifying Show on TV Right Now? It's 'Midnight Mass'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
^Roeper, Richard (September 22, 2021). "'Midnight Mass': The best Stephen King story Stephen King never wrote". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
^Seale, Jack (September 24, 2021). "Midnight Mass review: blood-soaked horror loses the faith – and the plot". The Guardian. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
^Tallerico, Brian (September 24, 2021). "Midnight Mass". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
^Cressler, Matthew J. (October 25, 2021). "The Netflix Series That Should Make Religious People Uncomfortable". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^Klein, Terrance (October 27, 2021). "What does a Catholic priest think about 'Midnight Mass'?". America. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^Langley, Jonty (October 28, 2021). "Midnight Mass: The Christian horror series with a challenging message for the Church". Premier Christianity. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^"A Review of Muslim Representation in Midnight Mass". YouTube. November 15, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
^"Midnight Mass: What Muslim Representation Should Look Like". The Muslim Vibe. November 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
^"Rahul Kohli remembers intense Imposter Syndrome he felt while shooting Midnight Mass #insideofyou". YouTube. April 3, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
^"2021 Stoker Awards Winners". Locus Online. May 14, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
^Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 13, 2022). "Critics Choice: Ted Lasso, Succession Lead TV's Big Winners; Squid Game and Yellowjackets Among First-Timers". TVLine. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
^Davis, Clayton (February 22, 2022). "Critics Choice Super Awards: 'Spider-Man,' 'Justice League' Among Film Nominees; 'Evil,' 'Midnight Mass' Lead TV". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^Pedersen, Erik (March 17, 2022). "Critics Choice Super Awards: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home', 'Squid Game' & 'WandaVision' Lead Field". Deadline. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
^Schneider, Michael (July 7, 2022). "'Severance,' 'Ted Lasso' Lead Streaming Nominees for 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards". Variety. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
^Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Spider-Man', 'Better Call Saul' Top List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
^Schneider, Michael (January 13, 2022). "Writers Guild Unveils 2022 WGA TV Award Nominees: 'Yellowjackets,' 'Hacks,' 'Reservation Dogs,' 'Only Murders in the Building' and More". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to Midnight Mass (miniseries).