--- title: "Midnight Mass: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Midnight Mass (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 10 reviews: 8 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Midnight Mass, and more than one calls it Mike Flanagan’s best work. The praise gathers around the performances, with Hamish Linklater’s Father Paul picked out more than once, and around the decision to treat faith seriously rather than as set dressing for the scares. Reviewers describe it as more a meditation on religion and death than a straightforward horror, and most think that is a strength. The reservations are about length and talk. Even admirers concede that the monologues run long, that scenes repeat themselves and that the middle episodes drift before a ferocious final stretch. Variety finds the series has passion but not the precision of Flanagan’s earlier work. The one clear dissenter is The Guardian, which argues the meditation collapses into absurdity and bloated dialogue, skilful jump scares and long takes notwithstanding. The spread is wide, from strong approval to flat rejection, with the argument turning on whether the sermons earn their running time. ## The i Paper — Emily Baker Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2021. The critic calls it Mike Flanagan's finest work to date, an unsettling, compulsive and gory ecclesiastical masterclass in highbrow horror. They praise the cast's naturalistic performances that keep even the most implausible moments believable. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/midnight-mass-netflix-review-mike-flanagan-1217012) ## Radio Times Rating 4/5. 20 September 2021. The critic finds it a fascinating, imperfect horror triumph that is hugely ambitious and stuffed with terrific performances. They single out Hamish Linklater's standout turn as the enigmatic Father Paul for praise while noting some chaotic elements. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/midnight-mass-review-netflix-comment/) ## Empire Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2021. The review describes it as a worthy, potentially divisive addition to Flanagan's canon, primarily a thoughtful though occasionally verbose satire on religion. It singles out the ferocious climax for praise after a slower build-up. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/midnight-mass/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 September 2021. The critic describes it as more a meditation on faith and religion than truly scary, but very committed to its faith and admirably bonkers. They highlight how reactions will come from a personal and primal place. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/midnight-mass-review-1235015775/) ## Variety — Daniel D'Addario Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2021. The critic notes that the series has passion but lacks the precision of past Flanagan works, calling it meandering at times. They praise its grappling with religious faith and exceptional performance by Hamish Linklater as Father Paul. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/midnight-mass-netflix-review-1235067341/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2021. The series aims for profound meditation on faith and existence but descends into absurdity and bloated dialogue. Flanagan shows filmmaking skill with jump scares and long takes, but the result is talky and fails to deliver. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/24/midnight-mass-review-netflix-mike-flanagan-haunting-of-hill-house) ## Collider — Vinnie Mancuso Rating A-. 20 September 2021. The critic describes the series as a dense, profound experience on faith and humanity but occasionally frustrating due to its length and repetition. They single out the exceptional ensemble cast performances for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/midnight-mass-review-netflix-mike-flanagan/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2021. The critic praises Midnight Mass as one of the best shows of the year for blending horror with deep spiritual questions and prioritizing emotional character development over scares. They highlight its humane portrayal of faith and community on a remote island. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2021/09/27/tv/midnight-mass-mike-flanagan-horror-series) ## /Film — Shania Russell Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2021. The critic calls it Flanagan's most haunting and personal work yet, praising its deep exploration of faith, religion, and existential dread along with strong performances. They note some repetition and length as minor drawbacks but find the emotional impact worthwhile. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/615139/midnight-mass-review-keep-the-faith-and-follow-mike-flanagan-down-a-haunting-rabbit-hole/) ## Den of Geek — Nick Harley Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 September 2021. The critic finds Midnight Mass an ingenious but imperfect entry in TV horror, praising its ambitious themes of faith and existence along with strong characters and performances. They single out the excessive monologues, slow pacing, and overly ambitious theological musings as drawbacks. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/midnight-mass-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass.md