The Haunting of Bly Manor Review: Reliving Memories Can be Both Confusing and Clarifying
Despite the slow burn and lack of character development, this installment of the Haunting Anthology has a satisfying conclusion that will stay in your mind long after it has ended
The Haunting of Bly Manor, Netflix’s follow-up to their popular supernatural horror television series, The Haunting of Hill House, is neither as ambitious nor as scary as its predecessor.
However, what it lacks in the chilling and terrifying scenes, it more than makes up for its heart. An adaptation of the 1898 novella called The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, which explores the tragedy of the human condition, the Haunting Anthology’s second entry can be considered both a triumph and a failure because it struggles to deliver character and plot development but succeeds on its thought-provoking resonance with meaningful symbolism and mind-bending mystery.
A challenge to connect with its characters
Denial is one of the main issues why the first half of this 9-episode season can make it more than a little challenging to connect with its cast, specifically its tendency to keep pertinent information from the viewers and the characters themselves even in situations that call for immediate answers.
Take the character of Danielle Clayton, portrayed by Victoria Pedretti, for instance. After being asked why she wanted to have the job, which would essentially require her to give up living in a European city thriving with professional and social opportunities alike, she doesn’t give any answer.
While the show may sacrifice some logic and reason to maintain a level of suspense, the oversimplifications made for the other characters upend the emotional connection that we, as its audience, are supposed to feel.
For example, Jamie has very little story apart from the fact that she’s strong; and has a penchant for plants, making it difficult to invest in the romance between her and Dani. Owen is another character that offers little more than being the guy every girl wants to marry, and a missed opportunity since he wasn’t as developed as he should’ve been.
An ending that lingers
Despite the lack of character development and engagement, The Haunting of Bly Manor saves itself from mediocrity with its ending that’ll stay in your mind long after it has ended, even after testing your patience all throughout the show.
In the final act of Danielle, where she is able to save Flora from the same fate that befell Rebecca and Viola, we find out that the experience has taken a toll on her. Even after she and Jamie have started a life together far away from Bly Manor, the memories continue to become a heavy burden on her to the point where she begins to see Viola through reflections. Unable to handle it, she drowns herself in the same lake that took many others to put an end to it once and for all.
While the show’s creator, Mike Flanagan, has broken down the supernatural side of the show, the reason why the finale resonates with so many is in the way that it tackles depression.
In fact, some would say that it serves as a metaphor for mental illness. You could argue that Dani’s life — filled with so much grief, death, and guilt — had created an almost impenetrable barrier to blissful living. Her character can also be interpreted as one who has been struggling with her untreated mental condition, with the events of the show magnifying its effects.
It can also be an allegory for dementia. In fact, dementia has been mentioned on the show several times — with Owen’s (off-screen) mother suffering from dementia until her demise. The characters’ being “tucked away” in their memories can be a strong representation of how one must experience the effects of dementia.
However you choose to look at The Haunting of Bly Manor, the show clearly tries to tell its audience to live life instead of focusing solely on longevity. And this can be seen from the perspective of the heartbroken Jamie, who, while initially distraught with her partner’s passing, eventually understands that the best way to value Dani is by remembering her memory and sharing it with others.
An ultimately satisfying conclusion
It’s a tall order for any show to wrestle with themes of legacy, death, and mental illness. And while The Haunting of Bly Manor doesn’t perfectly handle the aforementioned themes, it manages to put a fresh perspective on them and keep viewers engaged despite the puzzle-like nature of its narrative.
It may not have the streamlined, horror presentation and character engagement of The Haunting of Hill House. However, if you give it a chance, The Haunting of Bly Manor’s cerebral and psychological approach to the genre isn’t just guaranteed to keep you invested in the intricate and meaningful story that it’s trying to tell. But it’s likely to stay with you a lot longer than its predecessor.
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