Is The Haunting of Bly Manor actually scary?

If you’ve watched the first series from Mike Flanagan, The Haunting of Hill House, you’ll know the answer to this question: Is The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix actually scary?

Well, the first season in The Haunting anthology gave us quite a fright. The tragic story of Hill House and its tenants proved to be one of the best series in 2018, landing the creator a sweet deal with Netflix.

The Haunting of Bly Manor was released in October of 2020 with the same cast as new characters in a separate but equally chilling haunted house tale. The Haunting anthology has become a staple of the TV horror genre and a must-watch for the spooky season.

Here’s a spoiler-free overview of what Bly Manor is about and why it is worth putting on your “scary shows to watch during October” list.

What is The Haunting of Bly Manor about?

It takes a little time to get used to seeing the cast from Hill House as new characters in Bly Manor, but if you haven’t watched the first series, it’s a non-issue.

Victoria Pedretti (otherwise known for Netflix’s You) plays Dani Clayton, an optimistic young woman who moves from the U.S. to England in search of a new life after a terrible incident. She is hired by Henry Wingrave to take care of his orphaned niece and nephew, Miles and Flora, as an on-site nanny. Dani must navigate living with the other house workers and discover the truth about the history of Bly Manor.

Here’s the Netflix synopsis for The Haunting of Bly Manor:

"A bright-eyed American au pair hopes to make a difference caring for two orphans in a grand English manor. Yet the feeling of dread is undeniable."

What makes The Haunting of Bly Manor scary?

This nine-part limited series gives the audience episode after episode of creepy, disturbing, tragic, and altogether terrifying stories. It covers a range of reliable horror topics including death, treachery, and the afterlife while adding its own spin.

One of the creepiest parts of Bly Manor is the unique collection of ghosts. Just like in Hill House, there’s a ghost in practically every shot if you look hard enough, which is great during a second watch-through. There’s definitely suspense when you’re searching every shot for a spooky ghost.

However, not all the creepiness of Bly Manor comes from the ghosts. The series delivers convincing commentary about how humans can be just as capable of causing terror as creatures of the night. The music also plays a role in creating an atmosphere that will have you on the edge of your seat, no matter what’s happening onscreen.

These ghosts are different than the ones from Hill House. Many are faceless, crawling, desperate shells of the people they once were. Definitely creepy, definitely don’t want them in my house. They all have stories that relate back to one dark entity… but is it truly evil? Whatever the answer, DO NOT watch this show after dark unless you want a faceless creature haunting your dreams.

Watch The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix to find out. If you find yourself wanting more Flanagan work, his latest mini-series Midnight Mass just dropped on Sept. 24.