Discover Mike Flanagan’s Underappreciated Horror Show Endorsed by Stephen King After From Season 3

As the third season of From wraps up, horror enthusiasts may want to explore another haunting series from 2021 that shares similar chilling themes—Midnight Mass, available on Netflix. The show gained unexpected acclaim after its debut in 2022, standing out as one of the most underrated horror series in recent years. It captivates audiences with intricate mysteries reminiscent of cultural touchstones like Lost, yet it leans more heavily into the horror genre. This past November 21, a few days prior to the season 3 finale, From was officially renewed for a fourth season, further solidifying its place in viewers’ hearts.

Although MGM+ has limited offerings for horror fans, rival streaming platforms have introduced outstanding series in this genre over the past few years. One standout is Midnight Mass, which shares significant thematic and narrative elements with From.

Midnight Mass: A Haunting Tale of Isolation and Night Creatures

Exploring Similar Themes and Terrors in From and Midnight Mass

For viewers captivated by From‘s intricate character explorations and the lurking, vampiric threats in a confined environment, Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass serves as an excellent follow-up. The miniseries centers on a quaint New England island town that is slowly besieged by vampires after the arrival of an enigmatic new priest. Much like From, Midnight Mass employs its nighttime horrors to delve into profound themes surrounding existence, faith, miracles, ethics, and redemption.

Esteemed author Stephen King lauded Midnight Mass as a “dense, beautifully crafted terror tale” back in 2021 (via X). In 2023, he also remarked on From, calling it a “wonderful concept, beautifully handled.”

Before the release of Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan had already established his prowess in the horror genre through critically acclaimed works, including The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Doctor Sleep, and Gerald’s Game. Given that Flanagan had adapted two of King’s novels, it comes as no surprise that Midnight Mass draws comparisons to Salem’s Lot, a narrative that echoes the motif of a small town besieged by vampires. However, while the vampires in Midnight Mass embody classic traits similar to those in Salem’s Lot, From features dominant, monstrous beings that were once human.

From and Midnight Mass: Two Pinnacles of Horror in Recent Television

Both Shows Receive Acclaim and Stephen King’s Distinction

The parallels between From and Midnight Mass not only highlight their shared thematic elements but also position them as two of the best horror series of the 2020s. Critics often herald Midnight Mass as Flanagan’s magnum opus, praised for its deeply emotional narrative and unsettling horrors that resonate on a personal level. Concurrently, From continues to be celebrated as one of television’s hidden gems, revitalizing the suspenseful and intricate storytelling format reminiscent of Lost, while delivering powerful writing, performances, and storytelling in the horror genre across its initial three seasons.

TV Show	Rotten Tomatoes Score
Midnight Mass	87%
From	96%

As horror narratives continue to evolve, both From and Midnight Mass serve as cornerstones of modern television, offering rich storytelling combined with chilling thrills.

Source & Images