Mike Flanagan, a Storytelling Master

Do you get scared easily? Whether you love it or hate it, horror is one of the most successful genres in the movie industry. However, these kinds of stories often get some (unforgiving) bad press. Their plots are seen as unintelligent, relying on a jumpscare just to get something out of their viewers. If you share this opinion, that’s because you haven’t met Mike Flanagan yet. His book adaptations range from Shirley Jackson, Christopher Pike, and horror heavyweight Stephen King.

Ready to boost your storytelling skills? If you are an aspiring creative writer or novelist, stick around! Horror is such a noble source of inspiration —if you can get past the fear, that is….

Who Is Mike Flanagan?

To understand the creative prowess of Mike Flanagan, it’s essential to delve into the mind of this remarkable filmmaker. Born in the witch city of Salem, Flanagan’s career as an editor quickly ventured into direction. He chose horror, a gateway into complex narrative and profound topics like trauma, grief, and personal growth. The result? Compelling cinematic experiences that will make your hair stand on end.

Fun fact: Did you know he used to work as an editor in RuPaul’s Drag Race? He was the man behind the famous music video “Jealous of My Boogie”.

Storytelling Extraordinaire: What Sets Flanagan’s Work Apart?

What makes this director a storytelling extraordinaire? One of the key reasons is his ability to explore complex emotions and fears through character development. Flanagan’s cast repeats itself throughout his films: these characters are flawed, broken, and trauma-bearing, traits that make them relatable. Aspiring writers can take note of how he creates three-dimensional, believable people, even in the most supernatural settings.

Then, Flanagan is a master of innovative narratives. He loves to experiment with non-linear structures and multiple timelines. That only works thanks to his balanced pacing, building tension, and playing with gripping climaxes. However, given his editorial background, his visual storytelling is simply sublime: lighting, camera angles, and slow zooms enhance the overall cinematic experience. As writers, you can study how he sets the stage and crafts the atmosphere to enhance the impact of his narratives significantly.

Lastly, it’s all about his understanding of the genre. In a conversation with director Guillermo del Toro, Flanagan defined horror as a mirror, a way for us to face our fears and our truths, as much as they can hurt us. Through his movies, Flanagan meets his own demons. Battling his issues with alcoholism, he obsesses around AA meetings, support groups, and any scenario in which one must deal with their own actions. One strong storytelling strategy is to look inside your personal experience in search of inspiration.

The Flanaverse: Indie Gems and Netflix Hits

Flanagan’s plots hold deeper and more complex meanings than the Scream franchise but steer clear from unbearably slow cult pieces like a few of the “elevated horror” phenomenon. In other words, he really knows how to strike a happy medium between terror and emotion. Flanagan has collaborated with horror industry giants like Blumhouse Productions, known for their low-budget masterpieces (I urge you to check out some of their other films!). 

Some of Mike Flanagan’s movies and TV shows include:

Hush (2016)

Hush is a heart-stopping slasher about a deaf woman fighting for her life against a masked intruder. This gripping film showcased Flanagan’s unique ability to craft tension-filled narratives by forgoing dialogue, a key element of any story.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Horror god Stephen King noticed Flanagan’s talent and gave him the opportunity to adapt this famous novel. What would you do if you were handcuffed to a bed with no one to hear you scream? This project has been his dream since he was 17 years old.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

This Netflix series took the viewers by storm and propelled Flanagan into the limelight. This chilling horror/drama, based on Shirley Jackson’s novel, is about family issues, addictions, and generational trauma. Beware: this unsettling show is not for the faint of heart!

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Here’s another Stephen King treasure brought to the big screen. Considered the sequel to The Shining, this supernatural horror jewel follows Dan Torrance, now a grown man with a drinking problem, as he copes with his childhood trauma at the Overlook Hotel. 

Midnight Mass (2021)

This is a thought-provoking supernatural series, which explores themes of faith and redemption on a secluded island. Packed with jaw-dropping monologues about the meaning of life, this work is not afraid to highlight the good and bad about religion (Flanagan himself grew up in a catholic household, so he draws from personal experience).

The Midnight Club (2021)

This is Mike Flanagan’s latest series. Based on the work of Christopher Pike, a group of adolescents with terminal illnesses create a community by telling ghost stories. It’s like storytelling on acid. Flanagan masterfully deals with this delicate topic in a respectful manner. Did you know its first chapter broke the Guinness World Record for 21 jump scares?

What’s Next? Flanagan’s Next Project

Following his adaptationmania, Flanagan ventures into the literary world of Edgar Allan Poe. He has set his sights on an homage to the classic tale “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Will this miniseries be up to par? Given that Flanagan likes to add a personal touch to his source texts, it will come as no surprise if he decides to infuse this classic tale with his unique perspective.

If you like to write about dark and gothic themes, Flanagan’s take on this haunting story can serve as an invaluable source of inspiration on how to reimagine and breathe new life into timeless literary works.

The miniseries will be available on Netflix next week, on October 12. You can watch the trailer here.

Conclusion

Mike Flanagan stands as a storytelling master whose works can ignite the creative spark within aspiring writers. His ability to weave gripping narratives offers us creative writers great lessons in character development, emotional depth, and atmospheric storytelling. With the Poe adaptation on the horizon, we have every reason to be excited about what’s next.

At Palabra, we are drawn to all literary genres and love to bring great stories to life. If you have a project you need help with, we are only one message away!