Discussing The Incredible Work of Mike Flanagan
Welcome to Ask The Writers, where we gather insights from our writers, delving into shared opinions and perspectives, exploring a range of subjects that resonate with us all.
Rather than engaging in a competitive showdown like a tables, ladders, and chairs match to determine the author, we opt for a collaborative approach. Each contributor adds their unique perspective to the topic for a more diverse and comprehensive analysis.
In this particular case, we’re looking at the works of one of our favourite Writer/ Directors - Mike Flanagan. Flanagan has been making movies for well over 15 years now, but he exploded with a wider audience when he released his critically acclaimed version of The Haunting Of Hill House on Netflix back in 2018.
Now he’s pumping out movies and TV shows quicker than you’ve had hot dinners, and with better quality than a Domino’s Meat Feast. Down The Cellar writers Ashley Walker and Chris Holt came together to settle their ongoing debate: which is the superior Mike Flanagan show or movie? And thus, we decided it was time to present their verdict to the world.
Enjoy!
Tell Us Which Mike Flanagan TV Show Is Your Favourite:
Ash: Man, right out of the gate with a virtually impossible question! Honestly, they’ve all been good, and all for different reasons, but realistically, I think it has to be between Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House. Those two stand astride Mikey F’s Netflix content like the legs of a colossus. On the one side, you’ve got probably the best haunted house story I’ve seen in recent years, and on the other probably one of the most interesting vampire stories I’ve ever seen. How is this man so talented? Okay, I’ve just decided. I’m going with Midnight Mass. No, definitely Hill House. I’ll get back to you.
Chris: This is the toughest question of all and my mind often flip-flops between a few of them. I’ve loved Flanagan’s TV shows so much that they’re some of the only shows I’ve actually rewatched multiple times again. It’s something I don’t tend to do very often. But boy do I catch so much more the second time around. There’s always so many hidden layers within his story telling narrative that you could so easily miss on just one showing. Currently my favourite is The Haunting of Hill House, but close on its heels is Midnight Mass. The Midnight Club is probably my least favourite, but it’s still a damn good show regardless. It’s just a shame that Mikey Mike F didn’t get to complete any more seasons for it as he had planned.
Tell Us Which Mike Flanagan Movie Is Your Favourite?
Ash: I love all of Flanagan’s original work, particularly Oculus and Hush - the latter being probably my favourite home invasion film - but for me, he never shines brighter (geddit) than when he’s working in the world of Stephen King. Something about the two of them just meshes perfectly: their sensibilities, their world-views, their mastery of horror in all of its forms. And I think the absolute apotheosis of this is Doctor Sleep. He managed to balance both King’s and Kubrick’s starkly different versions of the Shining and also somehow (in my opinion) improved on the novel. I still don’t know how he managed to pull it off.
Chris: Another tough question, but my absolute fave is Doctor Sleep. The way Flanagan satisfies both the Kubrick estate and the King estate with all the fans in between is mind-boggling. The film itself is exceptional. A great sequel to The Shining, but it’s a shame that it bombed at the box office, squashing any further films in that universe.
Why Do You Think Mike Flanagan Is So Successful In Horror?
Ash: It’s hard to say but I think, like Stephen King, Flanagan’s heavy emphasis on character and interpersonal drama, almost to the point of overshadowing the supernatural horror, makes the scary stuff all the more scary. By the time the monsters show up, we care deeply about all of these people and the shit they’re dealing with in their lives, and that makes us invested. He’s also absolutely mastered that eerie, subliminal, watching-every-shadow style of horror, where there’s always something horrible lurking just out of view. Nobody does it better.
Chris: To me, Flanagan has reinvented horror again. The genre tends to go through many different cycles within cinema and TV and sometimes it’s hot stuff, and sometimes it’s a hot potato where we just want to pass it on without spending too much time there. We tend to scoff at horror, but it takes just one or two good films to bring it back into the spotlight, forcing people to realise it’s still the most exciting genre to watch. Flanagan skillfully constructs a show where drama forms the core layer, and then seamlessly weaves horror elements throughout—an exceedingly difficult feat. But, you know, he pulls it off damn good.
What Do You Want To See Mike Flanagan Do Next?
Ash: The Dark Tower!!! I have literally no idea how in the hell he’s going to adapt it, but if anyone can, it’s Mike Flanagan. He’s done it twice now with allegedly unfilmable King novels (Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep), and the Dark Tower will certainly be his biggest challenge. Not least in selling it to audiences - a multi-part, multiverse-hopping fantasy western epic with monsters and talking trains and intertextual robotic raiders? And Stephen King himself is basically a main character? Good luck Mike! Otherwise, I’d love him to keep playing in the King canon. I’m still gutted that he’s no longer making Revival, so I’d be over the moon if he picked that up again. He’s a perfect fit for it.
Chris: He’s currently working on Life Of Chuck, but if I’m honest, I cannot wait for him to complete The Dark Tower. Not sure how he’s going to tackle it, but if anyone can, it’s Mike Flanagan. It’ll be his magnum opus. Although that said, he once mentioned creating a prequel to The Shining and Doctor Sleep, where we take a look at the origins of the Overlook hotel - how it was built, why it was built, who the previous guests were etc. I would watch the shit outta it if he ever manages to get around to it. Unfortunately, there’s slim chance of this, due to Doctor Sleep’s poor box office returns.
What Would You Recommend To Someone If They Hadn’t Seen A Single Mike Flanagan Creation?
Ash: Probably The Haunting of Hill House. It was his breakout hit for a reason, and it’s got all the classic Mike Flanagan hallmarks: ensemble cast, complex multi-generational family drama, lurking horrors. And honestly, some of the creepiest fucking ghosts I’ve ever seen.
Chris: For someone who hasn’t seen anything of his before I’d suggest The Fall Of The House Of Usher first. It’s his latest show and it’s mesmerising. Another leap-out-of-your-seat horror, with a fantastic story. On the film side of things I’d recommend Oculus or Hush. Both movies are fantastic and small scale horrors. Hush gets grim with its gore, but it’s a fantastic little movie about a deaf person defending her home from an intruder. It’s small scale but packs a powerful punch.
Which work from Mike Flanagan Do You Think Is Underrated?
Ash: Off the top of my head, I’d say Before I Wake. It seems to be kind of underseen, and definitely never talked about like his other movies. But it’s a really interesting, quite fantastical horror story with a really simple but brilliant premise: what if a kid’s dreams - good and bad - became real while he was asleep? It’s a fun little movie and definitely worth a watch.
Chris: I’d definitely say The Haunting Of Bly Manor. It’s a gothic romance tale and a re-envisioning of a classic ghost tale. But Flanagan manages to layer it with so many sad nuances that it resonates with me for a long time after. It’s scary, creepy, eerie and emotional. Maybe it’s got some quirky British accents in there too, but it does have Rahul Kohli, who’s just the best! A brilliant actor and frequent collaborator in the Flanaverse.
We love anything Mike Flanagan puts his mind to. He’s proven he can step into any universe and significantly improve it. His talent is awe-inspiring and I think he’s managed to bring horror back into the limelight and prove it’s a genre here to stay.
So, that’s our brain dump on Mike Flanagan’s best work. Coming soon on Down The Cellar are other articles discussing Mike Flanagan’s Best and Greatest, so stick around to find out when they’re released.
