Netflix’s #1 Hit Horror Series Proves The Streamer Will Be Just Fine Without Mike Flanagan

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Although Netflix recently parted ways with horror director Mike Flanagan after a hugely successful period, their newest popular show suggests they’ve found someone to fill his shoes. Flanagan’s five years with Netflix will be remembered as a golden age for horror TV. He arrived at Netflix after directing well-received horror films like Oculus, Hush, and Ouija: Origin of Evil, and immediately raised expectations with his first miniseries on the platform.

Mike Flanagan’s 2018 series, The Haunting of Hill House, a reimagining of Shirley Jackson’s novel, is still considered the best horror show of the 21st century thanks to its compelling characters and truly frightening moments. He followed this success with The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), Midnight Mass (2021), The Midnight Club (2022), and the surprisingly humorous and gruesome The Fall of the House of Usher (2023), establishing him as a leading figure in horror television and a major voice in the genre as a whole.

When Mike Flanagan moved to Prime Video to work on his new Stephen King projects, Carrie and The Dark Tower, it was a major setback for Netflix. Many wondered if Netflix could find another horror creator as talented, but the success of the psychological thriller Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen in March 2026 suggests they have.

Netflix’s Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen Was A #1 Hit

The film Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen centers on Rachel, played by Camilla Morrone, as she prepares for her wedding to Nicky. The wedding takes place at a remote cabin in the woods, and Rachel is meeting Nicky’s family for the first time, making her understandably anxious. However, the film suggests a more sinister situation than just wedding jitters or family drama, creating suspense as it becomes clear that Nicky’s family is hiding something.

Many viewers were surprised by the change in genre for Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the most-watched show on Netflix. It stayed at number one for a while, even with other popular shows competing for attention. Like other series by Flanagan, this one also received both positive reviews and a large audience, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. What’s particularly notable is how well the show handles its complex and nuanced tone.

Haley Z. Boston Has Stepped Into Mike Flanagan’s Shoes At Netflix

Haley Z. Boston’s writing keeps the show constantly shifting between family issues, funny scenes, and genuinely scary moments, often without any clear transition. Surprisingly, this bold choice works really well. Before this miniseries, Boston contributed to the Netflix horror collections Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and Brand New Cherry Flavor, both known for their dark and unpredictable storylines.

What truly sets Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen apart is its focus on real emotional connections within the horror. It’s not just about jump scares and twists; the show invests in its characters, letting viewers truly get to know them, much like The Haunting of Hill House did with its deliberate and careful storytelling. This makes it clear that even though Netflix won’t be making more shows with Mike Flanagan, they’ve found another creator with similar skill.

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2026-04-21 22:39