By BILL REICK
Even if you don’t recognize his name, you’ve probably screamed during one of Mike Flanagan’s projects. Over the past decade-plus, Flanagan has created an untouchable track record in horror, and with each entry in his filmography, the writer-director’s profile has risen considerably. Three Flanagan movies were released in 2016 alone, with Hush, Before I Wake and Ouija: Origin of Evil receiving considerable critical acclaim. What’s even more interesting is that each has a remarkably different scope and style while still fitting in Flanagan’s filmography and sharing his signature panache.
“GERALD’S GAME” (2017)
Whereas other horror directors might struggle to fit three great movies into one decade, Flanagan’s 2016 was somehow topped by each subsequent year. In 2017, he did the impossible by releasing Gerald’s Game, based on a Stephen King book many had argued was unadaptable. He didn’t just successfully translate the story to the screen; Flanagan created an incredible standalone horror movie filled with serious tension and a satisfying payoff. Even more impressive was Flanagan’s adherence to the story’s single location. Most of Gerald’s Game takes place in one room, with Flanagan’s direction sustaining a serious suspense throughout.
“THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE” (2018)
In 2018, Flanagan pivoted toward long-form dramatic television horror, releasing The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix. The series, based very loosely on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, is still one of Netflix’s most popular genre titles. It was followed by the sequel series The Haunting of Bly Manor, based on Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. Flanagan’s The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family, besieged by ghosts and portrayed by one of the better ensemble casts in recent horror history. Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Katie Siegel, Timothy Hutton and Lulu Wilson ground the story with a believability that makes the characters seem like a real family. Eagle-eyed viewers have a lot to pick through with this one because Hill House is packed with hidden ghosts and Easter Egg scares.
“DOCTOR SLEEP” (2019)
While some might be satisfied to rest on their past successes, Flanagan followed all of this with his biggest home run so far, again bringing a King story to life with Doctor Sleep in 2019. Easily one of the most intimidating horror properties in existence, Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep is a sequel to his legendary, genre-defining The Shining. But what made this new project so uniquely menacing to filmmakers was the outsized legacy of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of King’s 1977 novel. Flanagan had his work cut out for him. Not only was his movie an adaptation of King’s book, but it also had to reckon with the near-mythical status of Kubrick’s film. Flanagan exceeded every expectation, creating a movie that balances and synthesizes these disparate pieces of art while also working as its own damn good movie.
But where did it all start? Can these unbelievable blockbuster feats be traced back to humble roots? For the answer, look to ABSENTIA, Flanagan’s feature-length 2011 debut. Sure, the guy had some short films and some student films before that, and his editing work attached his name to many household titles before that year, but ABSENTIA is as good a place as any to see the birth of a horror legend.
To describe ABSENTIA as “low-budget” risks mislabeling the movie, and associating it with cheap blood and hokey actors, but the truth is that ABSENTIA was made for a listed $70,000. While other filmmakers might’ve chased low-grade gore effects, Flanagan chose to anchor his movie with a strong story and actors he could trust to deliver it believably.
Callie (Katie Parker) returns home to her grieving sister’s side after some hard years on the road. Callie’s sister, Tricia (Courtney Bell), is finally coming to terms with the fact that her long-missing husband may never return. It’s been seven years since he disappeared, and after doing everything she could to find any trace or clue, Tricia is ready to file for her husband’s death certificate, declaring him dead in absentia.
As Tricia struggles to live her life, her husband, Daniel, appears to her in a series of ghostly hallucinations. Here, we see a younger Flanagan really beginning to flex his horror muscles. Already, he has the instincts not to overly rely on jump scares, instead choosing to creep his audience out with tension and atmosphere. That’s what makes ABSENTIA such an enjoyable viewing experience for anyone familiar with Flanagan’s later work; Every one of his movies is different, and they all grow out of ABSENTIA. Right here, you have the convincing family drama that would grow into The Haunting of Hill House. You can also see the roots of Ouija: Origins of Evil, with Flanagan’s adeptness for putting the supernatural on screen. And just as he would later utilize incredibly effective cameos from Henry Thomas in Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, Flanagan gets some serious mileage from Doug Jones in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in ABSENTIA.
What begins as a stark, barebones family story slowly reveals itself as an otherworldly tale based in myth. Without spoiling anything big about the story, I will say this: Whatever you think has happened to Daniel, you are absolutely not going to expect the truth. Instead of revealing any further details, I recommend checking out ABSENTIA. Whether you’re a Mike Flanagan completist or just looking for a proper place to start, this is the place – and now is the time.
