Midnight Mass

This is NOT a horror. It is an extremely intelligent religious drama that contains some horror elements. And you know what? It is MAGNIFICENT at what it does.

From episode 1, I knew I was in for a treat from Mike Flanagan. This man knows how to write unique, compelling characters. Each tragedy is explored so deeply and so personally that the shocking plot revelations become much more hard-hitting.

Some of the dialogue is a little too intellectual to the point that it doesn't feel authentic, but it's always engaging nonetheless. Some of the story elements take too long to start truly making sense, but the conclusion is so satisfying that such a complaint sort of fades into the background.

The religious themes in this story could have been handled very simply, but Flanagan never wants to give us the easy answer. I've never seen a story dive so deeply into the complexities of personal faith and organised religion to the extent or with the tact that this one does.

This show will have me thinking for a long while yet. It's not perfect, but it's ambition has to be admired. What a unique tale. Hats off.