As the seasons shift and Halloween approaches, Netflix's 2020 series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, presents an opportunity to revisit a masterful nine-part gothic thriller. Drawing inspiration from Henry James' classic novella "The Turn of the Screw," alongside other tales by the author, the series has been praised for its atmospheric storytelling and emotional depth.
Gothic literature, with its enduring themes of old manors, psychological unease, and buried secrets, has a rich history. Mike Flanagan, known for his successful adaptations of horror works, including Stephen King's novels and his own anthology series, has established himself as a prominent figure in modern horror. His first major success on Netflix, The Haunting of Hill House, adapted Shirley Jackson's novel. Two years later, he returned with The Haunting of Bly Manor, a more nuanced narrative inspired by "The Turn of the Screw."
The original novella, first published in 1898, centers on a governess tasked with caring for two orphaned children in a secluded English manor. As she observes increasingly strange occurrences, she becomes convinced the children are being influenced by a spectral presence. While numerous adaptations have shifted settings and details, the core formula of suspense and psychological tension remains effective.
Flanagan's adaptation of "The Turn of the Screw" for Bly Manor is a liberal one, transplanting the story to the 1980s. It follows an American au pair, played by Victoria Pedretti, who takes a position caring for two orphaned children at the titular Bly Manor. The series delves into her past, introduces the estate's staff, and gradually unveils the history of the manor and the haunting that afflicts its inhabitants. The narrative structure employs a framing device common in gothic tales, with characters recounting a terrifying story, but it offers a modern interpretation of the novella's themes, paying close attention to the governess's psychological state and exploring elements of romance and taboo sexuality.
Unlike The Haunting of Hill House, which was based on a single novel, Bly Manor allowed Flanagan to draw from multiple Henry James works, enriching its nine-episode season. While not every plot point lands with equal impact, the series features standout episodes, such as the exploration of Hannah, the housekeeper, inspired by James' "The Altar of the Dead." This mid-season installment notably reframes the events of the first half of the series.
Flanagan described Bly Manor as a story about "strangers, a family that is created." He elaborated that the characters, drawn from diverse backgrounds, form connections through friendship, tension, conflict, and love, at its core making it a gothic romance. This contrasts with Hill House, which focused on a family bound by a shared traumatic past. In Bly Manor, characters are depicted as clinging to memories, with ghosts revisiting moments and people from their past.
The series showcases Flanagan's distinct style, appealing to viewers who appreciated the emotional resonance of Hill House. However, those who found the earlier series overly sentimental might not find Bly Manor to their taste. The fundamental difference lies in their thematic focus: Hill House explores a family unable to escape their past trauma, while Bly Manor examines characters who hold onto memories, confronted by the lingering specters of their happiest moments.
The Haunting of Bly Manor is available for streaming on Netflix.