Frightening but Tender, “The Haunting of Bly Manor”

Frightening but Tender, The Haunting of Bly Manor

Jessica Coyle, Writer

Ghost stories have captivated audiences since the beginning of time. The complex show, The Haunting of Bly Manor, is a beautiful and touching example of the true meaning behind such stories. The show begins with a narrator at a wedding telling a ghost story. She explains how an American woman, Dani, was running from her own ghosts, and ends up in England. There, she becomes an au pair for two children whose parents had died, and whose previous au pair has died by supposed suicide. After being hired by their uncle, Dani moves to their estate, called Bly Manor, where the only other people are the housekeeper, the groundskeeper, and the chef. While there, Dani is caught up in the peculiar events that occur, especially at night when the other staff leave. Throughout her time, she suspects that something is wrong with the children, and that things aren’t as they seem. 

You can find this show on Netflix and each of the nine episodes are about an hour long. The mysterious lives of each character before working at Bly Manor, as well as the stories of the ghosts trapped there keep the viewer intrigued. Also, it is told by alternating between Dani’s time at Bly Manor, as well as the characters’ backstories. This makes the viewer want to continue the show to understand how the characters ended up how they are, and how it all comes together. 

Due to the show being told in flashbacks, it can get confusing at times. The viewer must pay attention, so this is not a show to watch if you are not going to be fully invested. There are numerous small details, such as figures in the background, that enhance the viewing experience, and which must be paid attention to. 

Overall, Haunting of Bly Manor is a show for those who are a fan of horror, but can be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in a suspenseful story.