'Masterpiece' horror series fans have branded 'outstanding' is streaming free on Netflix

Netflix viewers have been gushing about a limited gothic horror series on the popular streamer, which they describe as "outstanding" and a "masterpiece". Acclaimed writer and director Mike Flanagan is the brain behind Midnight Mass, which first landed on the streamer in September 2021. It centres around the predominantly Catholic occupants of the isolated Crockett Island. They find their formerly flagging faith and community revitalised by the arrival of a mysterious and charismatic young priest, Fr Paul Hill, who replaces the elderly parish stalwart Monsignor Pruitt (both played by Hamish Linklater).

However, mysterious events also begin to occur, such as the death of hundreds of cats that are found on the beach. It soon becomes apparent that the strange occurrences are linked to Fr Paul, but the congregation is assured that everything that is happening is a miracle.

As Fr. Paul's mysterious "angel" gets ready to introduce itself, the locals are oblivious to a dark fate that awaits them. The series features a starry ensemble cast, including E.T. star Henry Thomas, and Mike's real-life wife Kate Siegel, alongside Samantha Sloyan, Annabeth Gish, and Zach Gilford, to name a few.

The show, which Mike described as a "deeply personal" passion project inspired by his upbringing in the Catholic Church and his eventual sobriety and atheism, had a long journey to screen. He first conceived it as a novel, then as a film script, then as a television series that he unsuccessfully pitched to various production companies - including Netflix - back in 2014.

When it did finally get picked up, it received extremely positive reviews from critics on its launch and has equally proved a hit with fans who have since left it glowing reviews on Google. One fan raved: "A Hauntingly Beautiful Masterpiece Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass isn't just a horror series-it's a deeply emotional and thought-provoking exploration of faith, redemption, and the darkness that lurks within us all...

"The horror is as much about existential dread as it is about supernatural terror...Midnight Mass is one of the best pieces of storytelling I've experienced in a long time. A must-watch." Another gushed: "Outstanding series created by the brilliant Flanagan that takes a mythology and seamlessly blends it within the themes of community, faith, and redemption.

"Not just a horror but a deeply thought-provoking take on the vulnerability of an island community prey to indoctrination and willing to go to any lengths to be nearer to their God...Absolutely superb on all fronts. A must see!"

A third penned: "Absolutely superb...This is a must-see even for those not into suspense horror. Some may find the dialogue verbose, but the writing is so spot on as to be, at times, profound. Sometimes brevity leaves too much out, and the few long dialogues there are serve to build suspense."

A fourth shared: "Mike Flanagan does it again with yet another amazing horror series that is not content to just thrill but also gut punches you with the weight of the emotion you feel at the series end. This is a horror series filled with immense drama and emotional heft; the horror itself isn't even that gory by today's standards....

"Would highly recommend this show to anyone who loves horror, especially horror that is smart, looks amazing, and has a deep, interesting story worth watching." A fifth added: "Absolutely amazing show. The show itself was written by the same guy as House on Haunted Hill, so I knew to expect quality, but dear God (pun?) did he make a mix of religion and vampirism one of the most original and well executed concepts around."

Meanwhile, a sixth enthused: "Blown away. I binge-watch series by the handful and this is the first review I've ever posted (I felt compelled to spread the word; if you've seen the show, you'll no doubt appreciate the irony)...The last 20 minutes or so of the penultimate episode are among the most dread-inducing and terrifying I've ever watched. That we are forewarned, that we know almost exactly what will happen, makes it *even more* frightening."