The series "The Haunting of Bly Manor," released in 2020, is the perfect choice for fans of dark and atmospheric horror. Based on Henry James's novella "The Turn of the Screw," this story is filled with a gothic setting, and an eerie mysticism that will send shivers down your spine.
At the center of the plot is American Dani Clayton, who, in 1987, takes a job as a nanny at the luxurious Bly estate. Her charges, orphans Flora and Miles, behave strangely: the younger child warns Dani not to leave her room at night, and the older boy seems too old for his age. Adding to the intrigue is the mysterious death of the previous nanny and the creepy rules prohibiting visits to some parts of the estate.
However, the house itself is not just a setting, but one of the key characters. Its dark corridors, mist-covered lake, and garden with abandoned statues are steeped in mystery. Each episode adds new questions, while the plot expertly alternates between the present and the past, revealing the heartbreaking story of the family and the estate itself.
A standout feature is the black-and-white episode, which provides the viewer with answers to many mysteries. It seemed to be the pinnacle of gothic tragedy, turning the ghostly tale into a deep drama about love, loss, and eternal regrets.
Though rooted in classic horror, "The Haunting of Bly Manor" is also a melodrama, where each character must grapple with their own demons. Along with the atmosphere of fear and tension, there is much emotional pain and reflection on how the past impacts the present.