Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Religious-themed horror features some gore.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Midnight Mass
What's the Story?
MIDNIGHT MASS begins with Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford) returning home to the small island community of Crockett after spending years in prison for killing someone while driving drunk. Disillusioned with his Christian upbringing and struggling with the idea of redemption, Riley moves in with his parents and little brother and reconnects with his childhood girlfriend, Erin Greene (Kate Siegel), who is eight months pregnant and also a recent returnee to Crockett. When a new priest, Father Paul (Hamish Linklater), also arrives on Crockett and takes over at St. Patrick's Church, he seems to set off a series of strange and amazing events of biblical proportions.
Is It Any Good?
Like a lot of contemporary, allegorical horror, this show tells a story that's more about its characters and themes than about jump scares and gore. In fact, it would be tough to find another series that unravels so patiently. Midnight Mass takes the time to establish its characters and setting before even getting to the freaky stuff, which allows it to deal with bigger themes like religion and redemption.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about horror. What makes Midnight Mass a horror story? How does it compare to other horror films and TV? Does it intend to scare?
What are some of the themes in Midnight Mass? What does it have to say about small communities? How are Riley Flynn and Father Paul mirror characters of one another? How do the other characters compare and contrast to one another?
What do you think is going on in Crockett? What is the cause of the strange occurrences? What does the series seem to say about miracles? About redemption?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 24, 2021
- Cast : Zach Gilford , Kate Siegel , Hamish Linklater , Rahul Kohli
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 11, 2025
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