Midnight Mass
This eerie, atmospheric Netflix series is set on the remote island of Crockett Island (population 127), a twice-daily ferry ride away from the US mainland.
In the first episode, we meet troubled former resident Riley (Zach Gilford) who has returned home after a spell in prison to stay with his family – over-protective mother, stern father and rebellious younger brother. It also reunites him with his childhood sweetheart Erin (Kate Siegel) who has come back, after travelling the world, to take up a teaching post in the local school. Also new to the island is young priest Father Paul who has taken over from the ailing elderly monsignor. The latter is apparently seen during a storm – although can it really be him since he is off the island and in hospital? – and the next day dozens of feral cats are washed up on the beach...
Writer director Mike Flanagan – the man behind spooky chiller The Haunting of Hill House – dials up the supernatural tension very slowly. It means that when the shocks come, they genuinely do make you jump. So brace yourselves.