Every Mike Flanagan Horror Movie, Ranked

When it comes to Mike Flanagan’s work, his TV shows frequently outshine his films. Fans are quick to recall The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, while forgetting that he’s also mastered the genre with some of the most memorable horror movies released over the last 15 years. Flanagan has become known for his Stephen King adaptations, including his most recent film release, The Life of Chuck, which was also a rare foray outside the horror genre, despite it being a haunting narrative.

Flanagan has written and directed several notable horror movies, and fans often argue over which is his best project. Some of his films may not be for every audience, but for those who love his work, Flanagan has never directed a bad movie. Ultimately, that notion is subjective, but each work highlights his well-crafted writing style, terrifying stories, and impeccably tense direction, cementing his status as a genre icon. His films have racked up impeccable reviews. Critics praise his ability to balance scares and emotional impact, and audiences laud his understanding of horror.

When ranking Flanagan’s stellar filmography of horror features, numerous factors come into play. Critical and fan reception is always a pertinent factor, and Flanagan’s character work is generally strong. Still, there are genre factors to consider, like jump scares versus tension, and even craftsmanship shining through. Thankfully, when ranking Flanagan’s horror movies, even his worst is pretty great, and his top-tier efforts are masterpieces of the genre.

7

‘Before I Wake’ (2016)

Before I Wake is a beautifully haunting film that plays like a dark fairy tale. The movie’s unique concept sees a young boy’s dreams come to life while he sleeps, presenting the audience with awe-inspiring wonder that hides terrifying truths. Flanagan crafts a visually stunning movie that uses imaginative sequences to delve into deep emotional traumas. When it comes to the script, the film blends emotional, character-driven drama and showcases Flanagan’s preference for building tension rather than relying on jump scares.

The movie is noted for spending years in search of distribution after it was filmed in 2013 due to Relativity Media’s bankruptcy. The title was also altered from Somnia, and Flanagan reportedly objected to the change. Once Before I Wake finally debuted, but it largely went unnoticed, hitting Netflix with little fanfare. While it is still an impressive horror film, Before I Wake also bears the marks of studio interference that hindered Flanagan’s work, making it the perfect entry to kick off the list.

6

‘Absentia’ (2011)

Phase 4 Films

Absentia serves as a subdued creature feature that explores themes of loss and trauma through an absolute nightmare-fueled scenario. While Flanagan has made smaller films before, the indie horror movie is considered his feature directorial debut. It features a micro-budget, even being filmed around Flanagan’s old apartment, and the director shows his ingenuity in stretching a dollar. Given that Absentia didn’t have a ton of funding, with much of it coming from a Kickstarter, it’s an early example of how Flanagan’s characters can carry his stories.

The plot is simple, featuring sisters and a missing person, but it delves into darkness when the cause of numerous disappearances is revealed. Absentia does an amazing job of slowly ramping up the tension, so that by the third act, it can cut loose with jarring images and a fate worse than death that will haunt viewers long after it ends. Flanagan made a statement with Absentia, and it still delivers an anxiety-inducing missing person case worth solving.

5

‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ (2016)

Universal Pictures

Ouija: Origin of Evil is a prequel to the 2014 horror movie Ouija, which was a lackluster genre entry. Ouija is the kind of generic product studios push, hoping audiences will eat it up. Therefore, its poor quality was expected. The shock came from Flanagan’s 2016 follow-up, which outshines the first movie in every way possible thanks to a competent writer and director who understands the genre and the inherently supernatural subject matter.

Origin of Evil offers stellar performances from the central cast, with Lulu Wilson often getting major praise, as the young star is front and center. Flanagan also capitalizes on the atmosphere, continuing to embrace tension over jump scares, though he delivers plenty of terror. While the Ouija movie franchise never really took off, Flanagan put on a masterclass, showing how to turn a franchise around and get a concept right. Some may not rank it above Absentia, but given what the director accomplished, Ouija is an impressive feat in its own right.

4

‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)

Netflix

Gerald’s Game is Flanagan’s first adaptation of King’s work with the story based on his 1992 novel. It was considered unfilmable by many, as it contains a story that poses a tricky prospect for any director. Thankfully, Flanagan scoffed at the notion that anything could be deemed unfilmable, and he turned King’s novel into a claustrophobic nightmare. The script relies on moments of internal monologue, with the character thinking through her predicament, which sees her handcuffed to a bed after her spouse dies. Flashbacks help to flesh out the narrative, with the director expertly keeping the contained story feeling larger than it is.

Carla Gugino’s phenomenal performance cannot be overstated, as she spends much of the film acting alone. She delivers a vulnerable performance in which the smallest nuance can speak volumes, elevating the story. Flanagan even peppers the story with some truly gory moments, as viewers don’t easily forget a certain scene involving a hand. Gerald’s Game ranks above the director’s earlier work, demonstrating his impeccable skills as he crafts a memorable film from a novel that any other filmmaker would have fumbled.

3

‘Hush’ (2016)

Netflix

Hush is another example of how Flanagan can take a simple horror setup and infuse it with unique ideas and his brand of scares. The home-invasion thriller is not a new concept, but the director focuses on a protagonist with hearing loss who faces off against a masked intruder. She’s also highly-intelligent, bucking genre clichés, helping Hush embrace ideas similar to those in movies like You’re Next, where a capable lead poses a viable threat even in distinct circumstances.

Flanagan continued to push himself as a filmmaker, with one of Hush’s signature elements being the sound design. The movie puts viewers in the lead’s shoes, often dropping sound to heighten tension. That is the opposite of what conventional wisdom would advise, but it allows a character trait to be integral to the plot and the overall audience experience. Furthermore, as fans know, Flanagan often favors verbose, dialogue-driven scenes, as shows like Midnight Mass have proven, while Hush has a distinct lack of dialogue throughout much of its runtime. Hush isn’t just a great home-invasion movie; it’s the kind of film that proves any well-worn genre can still yield gold if the right writer and director is given some freedom.

2

‘Oculus’ (2013)

Relativity Media

Oculus is a tense, twisty narrative that isn’t for the faint of heart. While it isn’t based on a King story, Flanagan has noted that his haunted-mirror movie is heavily influenced by King’s 1408. The director swapped the hotel for a house and placed a terrifying mirror at its heart, creating a story that delves deep into family trauma while delivering some of Flanagan’s most effective scares to date. While Oculus has plenty of frightening moments, it’s another movie that builds tension, with some of the most horrifying scenes coming from intense visuals.

The script follows a disjointed timeline, weaving the past and present through a narrative structure that highlights a master storyteller at work. Like Christopher Nolan’s Memento, Oculus’s inventive editing helps it stand out, keeping the audience in a state of confusion, much like the central characters. It’s almost a meta-narrative in which Flanagan messes with the viewer, just as the mirror manipulates the protagonists. The unrelenting dread of Oculus may not be for everyone, but among the director’s horror works, it’s hard to ignore just how well-crafted the movie is.

1

‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)

Warner Bros. Pictures

King and Flanagan are a match made in heaven, or potentially hell, and there is no better feature film example of that than Doctor Sleep. The author notoriously disliked Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of The Shining, despite it being a horror classic. That makes it all the more impressive that Flanagan was able to adapt King’s sequel novel while simultaneously making the movie a direct follow-up to Kubrick’s film. However, the most astonishing feat may be that King loved Flanagan’s film adaptation and even said it “redeems” what Kubrick did with the material.

Flanagan expertly recreated locations from The Shining, including the Overlook Hotel, utilizing painstaking detail to make his sequel feel authentic. Doing what the director does best, Doctor Sleep explores deep emotional trauma with terrifying results, pushing the protagonist into uncomfortable personal realizations as he confronts his past. The movie even features one of Flanagan’s best villains, with Rose and her cult being an unrelenting force. Doctor Sleep serves as the culmination of all Flanagan’s past work, acting as his best King adaptation and his finest film. Fans of the director won’t be left wanting for scares or emotional gut punches, as only he can deliver.