Unraveling the Mysteries of Bly Manor's Chilling Finale
Discover the chilling finale of The Haunting of Bly Manor! Uncover the secrets of Bly Manor, the mysterious Wingrave family, and the terrifying Lady in the Lake Find out how the series concludes in this haunting ending explained
Mike Flanagan's latest series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, premiered on Netflix in 2020 and features several actors who previously collaborated with the director in his 2018 series, The Haunting of Hill House. Both series revolve around a haunted estate that traps those who die on its premises and explore themes of family and grief. However, The Haunting of Bly Manor takes a unique approach by delving into the concept of found family through the stories of the dedicated employees who care for the children at Bly. The series culminates in a bittersweet yet heartwarming and gut-wrenching ending that intertwines the lives of both the living and the dead on the estate.
What is Bly Manor?
As an adaptation of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, Flanagan's Netflix series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, expands upon the original work rather than remaining faithful to it. The haunted estate of Bly becomes the residence of ghosts, with the souls of those who die there confined to the premises. These spirits are unable to escape and are only able to briefly inhabit a living body, with the option to take up permanent residence if invited using the phrase "It's you. It's me. It's us." Living individuals who are possessed by ghosts do not feel any pain inflicted upon them and have no memory of the experience. However, ghosts that remain on the Bly estate for too long suffer from their inability to leave, resulting in the withering away of their faces and sense of self.
Who are the Wingraves?
Dominic and Charlotte Wingrave, parents to Miles and Flora, are only seen in flashbacks as they died in an accident off the Bly estate. This leaves Henry, Dominic's brother and Charlotte's potential lover and father to Flora, responsible for the children. However, his inability to deal with the property and the children leads him to hire Dani Clayton to care for them.
Who is the Lady in the Lake?
Viola Willoughby, played by Kate Siegel, is the terrifying Lady in the Lake in The Haunting of Bly Manor. Her sudden appearances and tendency to drag people towards the lake make her the most feared figure in the show. In episode 8, it is revealed that Viola fell ill many centuries ago, during the time of the Wingraves' residence at Bly, and was killed by her own sister. Viola's spirit, trapped in a chest filled with gifts for her daughter, sought revenge by killing her sister. Her husband, afraid of the chest's curses, threw it into the lake, and Viola's spirit was confined there. She now wanders the Bly property, searching for her daughter and harming anyone who gets in her way.
In an effort to safeguard Flora, who has been taken under Viola's wing, Dani suggests that Viola enter her own body. As a result, the souls are released and Henry returns to Bly to care for Miles and Flora. Dani and Jamie decide to start a new life together in America. However, Dani's peace is short-lived as she begins to see Viola's reflection haunting her, leaving her on the verge of hurting Jamie without even realizing it. Eventually, Dani decides to return to Bly and sacrifices herself to the lake to take Viola's place as the Lady in the Lake in order to protect Jamie.
The series concludes with a return to the initial narration that frames Dani's story as the au pair for the Wingrave children at Bly estate. The older Jamie, revealed to be the narrator, attends Flora's wedding along with Miles, Owen, and Henry, none of whom remember Jamie's recitation of their haunting story. Jamie retires for the night, leaving the front door ajar and checking reflections in the mirrors and water pools. She hopes to catch a glimpse of Dani, who may be haunting her in a tender way. As Jamie drifts off to sleep, a hand appears on her shoulder, suggesting that Dani continues to watch over and adore her. Dani's sacrifice has remedied her past torment and protected those at Bly from encountering dangerous spirits, leaving her consumed by love from those who keep her memory alive. Bly is now free from danger, offering a breath of fresh air to those who visit.
The Haunting of Bly Manor is now streaming on Netflix.
