The Haunting - The Haunting of Bly Manor

The Haunting of Bly Manor is definitely an original horror television series. My problem was that it was more of a romantic drama, albeit a drama with supernatural elements. Admittedly, that suits the genre of ghost stories that focus more on the atmosphere than being necessarily scary, although I think it does not seem to work for a modern television show. (11/09/2020)

After the fourth episode I was feeling disappointed, I wasn’t having fun and wasn’t too excited about the remaining episodes. I felt that, instead of the most anticipated horror series of the year, what I got was a banal and old-fashioned ghost story and I was actually surprised that Mike Flanagan had gone into this utterly unoriginal direction. Thanks God that I didn’t give up, because the fifth episode set things right. The second half of Bly Manor is on another level, it’s more interesting, surprising, poignant, and sad, and mainly, it shows that it’s very well put together and fantastically written. That said, objectively it’s not that scary, the horror here is on second, if not third place. On the other hand, the ending of the last episode brought tears to my eyes – Bly Manor found a way to my heart. :D (10/15/2020)

Perfectly splendid. A real Gothic ghost story that is based on characters, psychology, a scary atmosphere and romance. The series is more about sadness, the consequences of actions and melancholy than about being scary. This is supported by great acting, especially by both of the children. And then there's one perfectly utilized idea, which in the fifth episode takes the genre's standard of quality to another (and significantly higher) level. Yes, the maker (not only) adapted James´ Innocents better and more accurately, but this is so “loosely based on the theme" that it doesn't really matter, as it's unique and, above all, good enough to stand up on its own. It's not a better or worse first season; it's just completely different. You can even play the game “find the hidden ghosts in the mise-en-scène". In addition, any possible drawbacks are offset by the emotionally impressive final 40-minute epilogue. (10/15/2020)

I'm glad that the second series does not continue with what the first was doing and that it comes up with a new story, with a new headquarters and also a new atmosphere that this time is not 100% horror and ghosts, but at the same time is no less cryptic or suspenseful. Great characters, a great script that gradually reveals everything necessary, and certain direction (possibly supervision of directing) by Mike Flanagan, who works admirably well with mysteries of all kinds. (10/11/2020)

While Hill House managed to captivate me, Bly Manor fell short, largely due to the creators' approach. They seemed to forsake the tension-building and high-quality atmosphere of the first season in favor of a romance subplot that felt out of place and often led to odd outcomes. Admittedly, a few episodes did hit the mark, and with more effort, they could have matched the first season's quality. However, on the whole, it was a noticeably weaker endeavor. (01/28/2021)

After a flawless first season that completely blew me away in every aspect, I’d be somewhat naive to expect the same scenario to repeat. This time, Mike Flanagan took on a project where horror isn’t the primary genre. Don’t get me wrong, the remote mansion with the two children creates a chilling atmosphere at a high level, but the series is no longer primarily about scares; it’s more of a drama. The return of a few familiar faces was a pleasure, especially the young Victoria Pedretti, who delivered another exceptional performance; I predict a bright future for her in Hollywood. Otherwise, some episodes were indeed weaker, I won’t deny that, but a few episodes also truly elevated the series, such as the fifth episode and the final two. Personally, I found the fifth episode to be a real treat. Flanagan’s knack for dialogue was again evident; you really get immersed in the conversations. The cinematography was top-notch once more. And the ending was satisfying; I didn’t expect such a nicely wrapped-up romantic story, and all my questions were answered. In summary, the first season was perfect, but the second also has a lot to offer and usually outshines the competition. For me, it’s 8/10. (12/10/2020)