The cast is excellent. The setting is perfect for horror. The cinematography is superb, making each episode feel like a mini-movie. Stephen King is on the record as loving Flanagan’s work, so that’s saying something.
Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford) is returning to his hometown of Crockett Island after a shocking opening sequence. I won’t spoil what happens, but it’s an unexpected twist for the main character of a show. As Riley begins to assimilate himself, he starts witnessing odd things amidst the mask of the secluded small town.
I recognized Zach Gilford from his starring role in the series “Friday Night Lights” and it’s fun to see him now as an adult. Gilford is a good actor, and here has a lot to work with. The character of Riley Flynn has issues. You’ll see from the open that he’s not your typical protagonist. He’s a former altar boy now converted to atheism. He’s a real person, with real character flaws, and Gilford is great at portraying them.
Town cutie Erin (Katie Siegel) rekindles with Riley, her high school sweetheart. Siegel, who was great in “Hush,” is an equally impressive talent. She has the emotional range to play a character who has her own demons, while balancing her place in the town. The testing of faith is a central theme throughout the series.
Location is Key
The creepy location where the story takes place offers a perfect degree of isolation and gloominess. Much of the plot revolves around the small local church, and the arrival of an ominous new priest (Hamish Linklater). Linklater is excellent in the part. He begins as a new priest attempting to fit into a tightly knit community. But we the viewer can tell something weird is going on with him.
I’m quite progressive, but “Midnight Mass” can be distractingly liberal. There’s the tired tropes of overzealous religious lady (Samantha Sloyan) who’s obviously crazy because she’s Catholic, and obviously racist because she’s white.
I love the inclusion of Sheriff Hassan (Rahul Kohli) playing a Muslim, raising a rebellious teenager after the death of his wife. But for a small island town there is full representation of all ethnicities and relationships. Not that I mind but it’s a bit eye rolling at times.
And “Midnight Mass” is not for the faint of heart. There are multiple scenes depicting incredibly graphic content. Blood, gory deaths, dead animals. Be warned. The scares are good. But there’s usually speaker shattering loudness that accompanies them, so headphone watching is ill-advised.
October is coming. “Midnight Mass” is a nice warmup.
“Midnight Mass” is currently available to stream on Netflix.
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