The Ultimate Ranking of Mike Flanagan's Films & TV Shows, From Heart-Pounding to Sleep-With-The-Lights-On Terrifying

Summary

Mike Flanagan is praised for his ability to evoke terror and his skillful direction in creating suspenseful and terrifying experiences in his horror projects.

Not all of Flanagan's horror projects reach the same level of success, as some are more forgettable and rely on predictable scares within the genre.

Among Flanagan's noteworthy works are "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Midnight Mass," which demonstrate his talent for enhancing horror storytelling through captivating performances, imaginative visuals, and a combination of psychological and supernatural elements.

While every film and TV show by Mike Flanagan is filled with inventive scares and thrilling twists, certain projects stand out for their ability to evoke terror. Praised by renowned horror author Stephen King and Oscar-winner Quentin Tarantino, Flanagan is not only a master at creating fear, but also a talented filmmaker. Unlike the mainstream horror blockbusters that rely on cheap jump scares, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House builds suspense and terror through his skillful direction and unique vision. However, despite the success of his previous releases and the high anticipation for The Fall Of The House Of Usher, not all of Flanagan's horror projects achieve the same level of greatness.

In 2006, Flanagan used his short film Oculus: Chapter 3–The Man with the Plan as a way to prove his abilities as a horror director, and he found success at film festivals. However, his planned series of Oculus shorts struggled to find producers willing to support them, and no one believed in his vision for a feature-length adaptation. It wasn't until Flanagan unexpectedly found success with his indie horror feature Absentia in 2011, that he was able to revisit Oculus and create a full-length version that was released in 2014. After directing a few popcorn horror films like Ouija: Origin of Evil and working on adaptations of Stephen King's works, Flanagan finally made his mark with The Haunting of Hill House. This series not only launched his domination on Netflix for the next seven years, but also solidified his position as the go-to horror series creator for the streaming platform.

11 Before I Wake (2016)

Directed and edited by Flanagan, who also co-wrote the film, Before I Wake in 2016 is not one of the filmmaker's most memorable projects. While it is still enjoyable and meets the requirements of the supernatural horror genre, it lacks originality in its storytelling. The plot follows a couple, Jessie (played by Kate Bosworth) and Mark Hobson (played by Thomas Jane), as they foster an eight-year-old boy named Cody (played by Jacob Tremblay) after the tragic death of their own child. As they cope with their grief and start a new chapter, they must also confront a terrifying figure that haunts Cody, known as the Canker Man. However, seasoned horror fans will likely find the scares predictable, with familiar settings like dark basements and bedrooms. Nonetheless, the film remains entertaining, albeit less terrifying. Despite commendable performances and Flanagan's willingness to explore the perspective of children, a rarity in horror films, Before I Wake fails to deliver innovative and lasting horror.

10 The Midnight Club (2022)

Following the successes of The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club had high expectations to meet. Unfortunately, the show, which only lasted for one season and was not renewed by Netflix, received mixed reviews. While some viewers appreciated the acting and scares, others found it lacking in fear factor. Being an adaptation of a 1994 young adult novel with a focus on teens, The Midnight Club was unfairly criticized. Despite the contrast to Midnight Mass' intense biblical storyline, Flanagan's fourth Netflix series has its own successes.

The Midnight Club can be seen as an entry point into the horror genre, similar to the Fear Street series. While this approach has its merits, it doesn't fully compensate for the lack of consistent scares. Set in a hospice center, the show revolves around terminally ill teenagers who gather at the Midnight Club to share scary stories. There is also a mystery surrounding the history of the hospice center, but the different storylines fail to merge successfully. Despite breaking the Guinness World Record for the most scripted jump scares in a single TV episode, The Midnight Club doesn't maintain the high level of fear throughout.

9 Absentia (2011)

Flanagan takes on multiple roles as writer, editor, and director in Absentia, marking his transition from his previous successful short film, Oculus: Chapter 3–The Man with the Plan. Despite being made with a modest $70,000 budget, this 2011 indie horror film received praise from both viewers and critics alike. Absentia's unsettling and thought-provoking narrative earned it top honors at horror-centric film festivals such as Shriekfest. The film stars Courtney Bell as Tricia, a pregnant woman who finally confronts her husband's disappearance after seven years. Just as Tricia is about to accept his death, the bloody figure of Daniel (played by Morgan Peter Brown) unexpectedly appears at her doorstep. While Absentia does offer some chilling moments, it predominantly explores themes of loss rather than pure terror. The film's low-budget nature, though, limits its potential for a more intense and satisfying climax that could have truly frightened the audience.

8 Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

In the past, Mike Flanagan expressed his aversion to sequels, as stated by Esquire. However, Jason Blum, the founder and CEO of renowned horror studio Blumhouse, approached Flanagan to write and direct Ouija: Origin of Evil. Serving as a prequel to 2016's Ouija, Origin of Evil diverges from the franchise's initial formula and incorporates Flanagan's distinctive style. Set in the late 1960s, this period piece delves into family dynamics through supernatural elements. Elizabeth Reaser, Flanagan's Hill House collaborator, takes on the role of Alice, a widow, mother of two, and spiritual medium. Seeking to enhance her services, Alice introduces the infamous Ouija board into her business, resulting in her youngest daughter, Doris (Lulu Wilson), becoming possessed by a spirit.

While Ouija: Origin of Evil surpasses its predecessor as a rare horror sequel that outshines the original, Flanagan still incorporates anticipated jump scares and other elements expected by mainstream horror audiences. Consequently, it may not be Flanagan's most terrifying narrative. Despite benefiting from commendable performances, an immersive atmosphere, and creatively horrifying imagery, the film feels like a patchwork of multiple movies. Nonetheless, Ouija: Origin of Evil stands as a commendable horror entry, although it does not rank as Flanagan's most exceptional project.

7 Doctor Sleep (2019)

Mike Flanagan, the successful director of "The Haunting of Hill House" in 2018, took on the task of writing and directing an adaptation of Stephen King's "Doctor Sleep." This film serves as a sequel to "The Shining" and focuses on the adult Dan Torrance, played by Ewan McGregor, who is tormented by his traumatic experiences at the Overlook Hotel. Despite receiving positive reviews, the 2019 sequel did not perform well at the box office, which has affected its overall reputation. However, it is worth revisiting due to its inclusion of many of Flanagan's signature elements.

To suppress his supernatural ability known as the "shining," Dan turns to alcohol. Flanagan acknowledges that, while both King and Stanley Kubrick's interpretations of "The Shining" revolve around addiction and obsession, "Doctor Sleep" explores Dan's struggle to live with his substance abuse disorder. By drawing inspiration from Kubrick's iconic film, Flanagan inevitably invites comparison between the two. Nevertheless, the movie effectively showcases Flanagan's unique filmmaking strengths. Ultimately, "Doctor Sleep" may not be the scariest film in Flanagan's repertoire, but it delivers genuinely chilling moments that will linger with viewers long after the credits roll, despite the cancellation of the sequel.

6 Gerald's Game (2017)

Gerald's Game, a film adaptation of Stephen King's once deemed "unfilmable" novel, showcases the directorial prowess of Mike Flanagan. Carla Gugino, a frequent collaborator of Flanagan's, takes on the role of Jessie, a woman who embarks on a romantic retreat with her husband Gerald (played by Bruce Greenwood) in a secluded countryside residence. During their time there, Gerald introduces one of his sexual fantasies which involves handcuffing Jessie to the bed. However, after a series of uncomfortable incidents, Jessie withdraws her consent.

An intense argument ensues, leading to Gerald suffering a fatal heart attack, leaving Jessie trapped and bound to the bed. In this psychological horror film, Jessie experiences hallucinations of herself and Gerald while battling to survive and free herself from her entrapment. This nightmarish situation forces her to confront and come to terms with the traumas and abuse of her past. Unfortunately, the story takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of a character referred to as "the man made of moonlight." This twist, although providing unnerving moments, detracts from the overall impact and success of the film, diminishing the focus on Jessie's narrative.

5 The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

The Haunting of Bly Manor, the second installment in Mike Flanagan's The Haunting anthology, offers a fresh take on the gothic romance sub-genre of horror. Drawing inspiration from Henry James' challenging novella, The Turn of the Screw, the series follows Dani, an au pair who arrives at a secluded estate to care for orphaned children. As Dani encounters apparitions and delves into the unsettling history of Bly, Victoria Pedretti delivers standout performances that showcase her prowess as a scream queen.

Though The Haunting of Bly Manor has faced criticism for not meeting the exceptionally high standards set by Hill House, it remains one of Flanagan's most captivating and well-crafted works. While the initial episodes build tension and create a haunting atmosphere, the show's momentum somewhat falters as the characters uncover more about the entities that haunt them. Nevertheless, the strong performances, inventive visuals, and strategically placed jump scares establish Bly Manor as a compelling addition to Flanagan's filmography.

4 Hush (2016)

Co-written by Flanagan and his frequent collaborator, Kate Siegel (who is also married to Flanagan), Hush is hailed as one of the most ingenious slasher films in the history of the genre. Starring Siegel as Maddie, a deaf-mute horror novelist yearning to recreate the success of her first novel, Midnight Mass, the film takes a twist when she retreats to a secluded cabin in Upstate New York to escape the chaos of city life.

However, Maddie's peace is shattered when a masked killer (played by John Gallagher Jr.) attacks her neighbor and set his sights on breaking into her house. In a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, Hush introduces a horror-film protagonist who defies the typical stereotypes by making intelligent decisions. The ensuing battle of wits between Maddie and the killer intensifies the excitement, and despite its lack of supernatural elements, Hush delivers scares that rival Flanagan's best works.

3 Oculus (2013)

Flanagan spent several years bringing one of his visions for Oculus to life. Initially envisioned as a series of short films, his film festival hit, Oculus: Chapter 3, was intended to attract potential producers and studios back in 2005. Although that plan didn't work out, Flanagan went on to other projects and eventually returned to create a full-length version of Oculus, which was released in theaters in 2013. The film stars Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites as adult siblings who firmly believe that a cursed, antique mirror is responsible for all the tragedy that has plagued their family.

To enhance the short film's concept and capture the siblings' disorientation, Oculus incorporates two timelines. Flanagan has also revealed that the movie draws inspiration from a Lovecraftian concept, stating that "Evil in the world doesn't have an answer." What makes Oculus even more unsettling is its preference for a sense of foreboding rather than excessive violence. This approach contributes to its status as a notable addition to the horror genre, standing alongside acclaimed films like The Conjuring and Insidious in terms of its intelligent storytelling and ability to frighten audiences.

2 Midnight Mass (2021)

Following the success of Bly Manor, Flanagan secured an exclusive deal with Netflix, ensuring that he would continue delivering his beloved brand of horror to the streaming platform. However, his next project deviated from the Haunting series and instead brought forth the highly acclaimed seven-episode miniseries called Midnight Mass. Set in 2021, the series revolves around a small island community that experiences a series of supernatural events after the arrival of a charismatic priest (Hamish Linklater) who aims to revive their church. While Flanagan's work often explores themes of grief, addiction, death, and free will, this particular show adds another layer to these explorations through its biblical lens.

Despite its profound themes, Midnight Mass remains accessible and engaging, thanks to the exceptional performances from its ensemble cast and Flanagan's meticulous attention to detail. It's no wonder that Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times referred to the series as "the best Stephen King story Stephen King never wrote," as it skillfully evokes various forms of horror and dread. Flanagan expertly weaves together a larger nightmare, culminating in an intense and suspenseful conclusion, all while breathing new life into the vampire genre with a unique and haunting twist, even if the term "vampire" is never explicitly used. While it may not rely heavily on jump scares, Midnight Mass lingers in the minds of viewers long after the screen fades to black.

1 The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

The Haunting of Hill House, a television show deemed too frightening by certain viewers, gained mainstream recognition for horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan upon its release on Netflix in 2018. Inspired by Shirley Jackson's renowned novel of the same name, the series revolves around two different timelines. In the present, the four remaining Crain siblings - Steven, Shirley, Theo, and Luke - navigate their past and present struggles following the tragic death of their youngest sister, Nell, at Hill House. Years earlier, when the siblings were children, their mother Olivia passed away in the infamous house.

Although Nell and Olivia endured the most profound effects of Hill House's supernatural horrors, the other siblings and their father, Hugh, were not exempt from its terrifying presence. In the present, the adult Crain siblings have developed their own coping mechanisms to deal with their trauma, albeit with varying degrees of success. Nonetheless, none of them have fully confronted and processed their losses and tragedies. Nell's untimely demise forces them to confront their unresolved issues, but the process is excruciatingly painful. This intertwines the horror element with Flanagan's exploration of themes such as grief, loss, addiction, and avoidance. Jump scares and disturbing visuals disrupt moments of relative tranquility in the show, underscoring the idea that terrifying experiences can occur unexpectedly, and that the past remains ever-present when left unaddressed.

Sources: Deadline, Esquire, Den of Geek, Chicago Sun-Times