The Haunting Of Bly Manor on Netflix was created by Mike Flanagan. The premise, loosely based on Henry James haunting and intelligent work of The Turn Of The Screw. It is the next entry to The Haunting anthology. A lot of the cast from The Haunting Of Hill House return but the stories are not connected.
A nanny is hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house. Upon arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions and ghosts, and the haunting begins.
The Nanny, character Dani, sits at the heart of the story. She is the strong, female character that you root for especially when you learn about her tragic history.
There are some classic tropes, scares and suspense. And the setting takes place in the eighties, so the girl love story seems extra sweet within the storyline.
What makes the story more interesting than a normal Haunted House and Fright Tale, is that while it centers around the dead, much of the story talks about the living. The dead have regrets of the lives they led, or the hopes and dreams that were not fulfilled in their lives cut short.
In a way, The Haunting Of Bly Manor takes you into the hearts of those that have past. And reveals their envy for the living, their quest to escape from the Manor, and the reminder that life, is precious and that time is limited for us all.
The series is accessible because it centers around the children of Bly Manor. and it is chilling to see how the kids interact with the faceless ghosts of Bly.
Love stories healthy and toxic weave in and out of the storyline, And you will likely be drawn into at least one of them.
The dead, the undead and possession create a storyline interesting for those who may not be into scares and haunted houses.
The cast has done a great job of reminding us all that the little things in life are what matter the most. Family, love and the comfort of a child being put to bed by her mother. The five senses of the living,
There are many messages within the story. This frightening idea that us and our memories fade away with time. And that the past horrors of Bly Manor will continue to haunt those exposed. There is a reference within it to the Black Plague, a grim reminder of the real fears we face within today’s pandemic.
Ultimately, this even paced series manages to remind us of our time is our only asset in this life. And what we choose to do with it, should be done with love for yourself and for others and with a brave heart. Because you only live once. And this ghost story is more of a love story. So go watch it.
You can watch The Haunting Of Bly Manor on Netflix.