Following the success of The Haunting of Hill House, Mike Flanagan returned with The Haunting of Bly Manor, which premiered on Netflix in 2020. The series brought back several actors from his previous work, including Henry Thomas, Carla Gugino, Victoria Pedretti, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. Like its predecessor, the show explores a haunted estate where spirits linger and highlights the emotional toll of grief on those who encounter them.
Found Family and Haunting Spirits Define the Emotional Heart of Bly Manor
While both series center on ghosts, Bly Manor emphasizes the concept of “found family.” The story focuses on the estate’s resident employees who care for the children, weaving their experiences into a narrative that is both bittersweet and heartwarming. The series’ ending blends the lives of these caregivers with the estate’s ghosts, illustrating the deep connections formed through love and loss.
Victoria Pedretti as Dani Clayton (The Haunting of Bly Manor/Intrepid Pictures)The show is inspired by Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw, though it expands significantly on the source material. Bly is haunted by the spirits of those who have died on its grounds, trapped and unable to leave. Ghosts can temporarily inhabit living bodies and, if invited, take permanent residence. Prolonged presence on the estate causes the ghosts’ sense of self to deteriorate, adding a unique layer of horror to the narrative.
The Wingraves, the Lady in the Lake, and Dani’s Ultimate Sacrifice
The Wingraves are central to the story, including parents Dominic and Charlotte, and their children Miles and Flora. While Dominic and Charlotte are deceased, Henry Wingrave assumes responsibility for the children and hires Dani Clayton as their caretaker. Complex family dynamics, including Henry’s relationship with Charlotte, drive much of the emotional tension and character development.
The series’ primary antagonist is the Lady in the Lake, revealed as Viola Willoughby. Trapped in a chest and later confined to the lake, Viola’s spirit harms anyone who crosses her path while searching for her daughter. Dani ultimately invites Viola into her own body to protect Flora, setting the stage for Dani’s transformation into the new Lady in the Lake, a selfless act that ensures the safety of those at Bly.
The series concludes with older Jamie narrating the story of Bly at Flora’s wedding, showing that the characters continue with their lives while Dani watches over them in spirit. Dani’s sacrifice frees Bly from danger and allows her memory to live on in the love of those she protected. Through themes of love, loss, and redemption, The Haunting of Bly Manor provides a haunting yet emotionally resonant tale.
