After 8 Years, Mike Flanagan’s 10-Part Miniseries Masterpiece Is Still The Perfect Binge

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With so many interconnected TV universes and shows getting cancelled, well-made miniseries are more important than ever. Shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Watchmen have had a lasting impact, rivaling longer series, because they knew exactly how they would end. They prioritized quality over extending the story, and avoided the trap of creating disappointing follow-up seasons just because the first one was a hit.

Mike Flanagan consistently creates excellent limited series for streaming. Shows like Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher were visually stunning and told compelling stories, and they both worked well as single-season projects. While both are worth watching again, there’s another Mike Flanagan miniseries on Netflix that truly deserves a second look.

The Haunting Of Hill House Elevated Mike Flanagan To Global Renown

Mike Flanagan became a globally recognized horror director with the release of The Haunting of Hill House in October 2018. While he’d previously directed several well-received horror films, including Oculus and Ouija: Origin of Evil, and impressed audiences with 2017’s Gerald’s Game, he decided to follow that success not with another movie, but with a Netflix miniseries: The Haunting of Hill House.

Last Halloween, The Haunting of Hill House became a must-watch, quickly becoming one of the year’s most popular and highly praised shows.

What really set The Haunting of Hill House apart wasn’t just how scary it was – we’re still haunted by the Bent-Neck Lady! – but how fully developed each member of the Crain family felt. It’s rare to find a show that combines complex family relationships, like those in Succession or Game of Thrones, with genuinely terrifying horror moments reminiscent of a Blumhouse production.

Director Mike Flanagan truly showcased his skill with The Haunting of Hill House. The show’s limited-run format allowed for more creative risks and visual flair than typical movies or ongoing TV series. The episode “Two Storms,” filmed to look like one continuous shot, remains a stunning achievement in television. And the shocking reveal of the Bent-Neck Lady is even more impactful because the camera follows Nell’s experience through time.

The Haunting Of Hill House Is Still Amazing, Even When You Know What’s Coming

A big reason The Haunting of Hill House became so popular in 2018 was how much fun people had discussing its many secrets and trying to figure out what would happen next with friends and online. Because the show was full of twists and surprises, sharing guesses and theories was a key part of the experience. Now, with so many new shows constantly being released on streaming services, it’s easy to forget The Haunting of Hill House and not consider rewatching it.

It’s unfair to watch The Haunting of Hill House only once, because it’s truly a show meant to be revisited. Your first viewing is about experiencing the mystery alongside the characters, while a second watch, knowing how things end, reveals hidden details and deeper meaning you might have missed before. The experience changes dramatically depending on what you know.

While it’s exciting to anticipate Mike Flanagan’s future work, rewatching The Haunting of Hill House is definitely worth your time and will likely be a very satisfying experience.

The Haunting Of Hill House’s Spiritual Successor Is Almost As Good

Although a second season of The Haunting of Hill House didn’t materialize, Netflix and Mike Flanagan created a related series called The Haunting of Bly Manor as a follow-up.

Look, I really enjoyed The Haunting of Bly Manor, but if I’m being honest, it didn’t quite hit the same heights as Hill House. The story was good, sure, but it wasn’t as scary or inventive, and the family connection just didn’t feel as strong. But you know what really saved it? Dani and Jamie’s love story. Seriously, it was incredible. It totally shifted the show from a straight-up horror into this beautiful, heartbreaking gothic romance. That relationship was the heart of everything, and honestly, it’s what I keep thinking about even now.

As a huge horror fan, I thought The Haunting of Hill House was the stronger show – really tight, clever, and beautifully made. It’s one I could watch over and over. But if you finish Hill House and are craving something similar, The Haunting of Bly Manor is the perfect next watch.

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2026-01-22 20:10