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Midnight Mass is a new seven-part series on Netflix, begining with Book I: Genesis, so there’s the religious connection, since that’s how the episode titles go.
It has a tragic opening, as Riley (Zach Gilford) kills his girlfriend in a car crash while drunk, and as he prays by the roadside, a paramedic observes, “Why don’t you ask Him why he always takes the children, and not the drunk fucks who walk away with scratches(!)”
After four years in jail, he returns to his homestead on Crockett Island, a small town with a population of 127, and with their pastor, Monsignor Pruitt, recovering from an illness, Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater) steps in to tend to Pruitt’s flock for the time being.
It’s a very religious city of people on the island, even though as the priest once says, the same God that gave them their suffering is the same God who will make them whole. Really?! Seems like an easy job to me!
A lot of the time, Riley is drifting about, wondering how he can seek redemption other than going to AA meetings, and frequently bumps into an ex on the island, Erin Greene (Kate Siegel), in what feels like unnecessary filler. Maybe more of this makes its presence felt later in the series, but I gave it two episodes and needed it to throw me several bones, rather than just a few scraps.
What follows is a mish-mash of different things. Given that it has some supernatural elements, a lot of weird stuff starts happening after a storm kicks in, there things that go bump in the night, and whatever it is, also bumps off stray cats. And what about the new pastor? Can he perform any miracles? Well, I found out that answer during my time, but there were still too many questons unanswered.
At this point, I’m done with Midnight Mass, unless it turns out to be stellar, later. It’s decently acted, but I’m just not getting this at all.
Midnight Mass is not available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but is on Netflix from Friday September 24th.
Episodes 1-2 Score: Baffled
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 55-65 mins per episode
Release date: September 24th 2021
Studio: Netflix
Format: 2.00:1
Director: Mike Flanagan
Creator: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Mike Flanagan, James Flanagan, Elan Gale, Dani Parker, Jeff Howard
Music: The Newton Brothers
Cast:
Riley Flynn: Zach Gilford
Erin Greene: Kate Siegel
Annie Flynn: Kristin Lehman
Bev Keane: Samantha Sloyan
Warren Flynn: Igby Rigney
Sheriff Hassan: Rahul Kohli
Leeza: Annarah Cymone
Dr. Sarah Gunning: Annabeth Gish
Sheriff Hassan: Rahul Abburi
Sturge: Matt Biedel
Wade: Michael Trucco
Dolly: Crystal Balint
Ooker: Louis Oliver
Ed Flynn: Henry Thomas
Father Paul Hill: Hamish Linklater
Joe Collie: Robert Longstreet
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.