Netflix's recent horror series Midnight Mass may be a solo show, but it does have references to other previous projects by Mike Flanagan. Throughout his different movies and television shows, Flanagan has been known to include references and Easter Eggs that subtly tie them together.
Midnight Mass contains references to Flanagan's previous movies Hush, Gerald's Game and Oculus. Although it may take a few watches to pick up on these subtle links, eagle-eyed viewers looking out for them will have an exciting challenge on their hands.
In Hush, the main character Maddie is an author and during the movie she is working on a sequel to her book, Midnight Mass. Viewers who re-watch Hush after Midnight Mass will realize Maddie's book has the same plot as the Netflix series.
Hush is one of the best under-the-radar thriller movies and is quite different from a lot of Flanagan's other projects as it lacks any supernatural elements. Instead, the movie takes a more psychological approach using Maddie's deafness to heighten the tension and put a new spin on the typical home invasion. The fact that Maddie is working on a sequel to Midnight Mass may suggest Flanagan isn't quite done with the residents of Crockett Island just yet.
Flanagan is no stranger to adaptations with both seasons of The Haunting being loosely based on classic novels and his movie Gerald's Game is based on the book of the same name by prolific horror writer Stephen King. When Jessie is chained to the bed, she tries to reach the shelf above her in order to find something to free herself.
One of the items she manages to grab is a book: Midnight Mass. While this may just be an Easter egg, it is likely that this is the same Midnight Mass written by Maddie in Hush which shares the same plot as the series. The book may not prove all that useful to Jessie but it acts as a great retrospective reference.
Oculus is another horror movie by Flanagan starring Doctor Who and Marvel's Karen Gillan and focuses on a cursed mirror. Flanagan has actually hidden the mirror in several of his projects including Doctor Sleep.
During one of Riley and Father Paul's meetings in Midnight Mass, the mirror can be seen behind them on the stage. As if the goings on in Crockett weren't twisted enough, the mirror ominously lurking in the background suggests there may be even more at play. The Oculus mirror provides subtle links between many of Flanagan's projects and will probably continue to appear in his future work.
The so-called 'ngel's appearance is particularly horrifying, especially when it is seen in full view in the final episodes. The angel is involved in some of the scariest moments from Midnight Mass; its appearance is so chilling that it's surprising Father Paul was tricked by the creature.
While not a direct reference, the angel's appearance feels quite familiar especially to long term fans of Flanagan's work. Towards the end of Gerald's Game, the audience is given a proper look at Joubert who terrorizes Jessie and although this may not be intentional, it certainly provides some links between this movie and Midnight Mass.
The angel's appearance isn't the only link to Joubert from Gerald's Game. In one scene, one of the names on a mailbox can be clearly seen and is focused on for a moment. The name on the mailbox is Joubert, which acts as a subtle nod to the villain from Gerald's Game.
Although this is certainly just a shared name and not a direct crossover, it is a fun moment from Midnight Mass. The camera certainly lingers on the mailbox in order for eagle-eyed viewers to pick up on this reference.
Although Maddie's book being named Midnight Mass may just feel like a small Easter Egg, it is clear that the two share the same plot. In one scene when Sarah visits Maddie, she tells her how much she loved reading her book.
Sarah specifically mentions loving the characters of Erin and Riley from the book who are both key players in the Midnight Mass series. Erin and Riley's tragic love story is played out for real in the series, providing a direct link to this movie. When re-watching Hush, this scene is particularly fun as Flanagan's wife, Kate Siegel plays both Erin and Maddie which makes the it feel all the more meta.
Kate Siegel is one of many actors in Midnight Mass who previously worked with Flanagan. In fact, Samantha Sloyan who plays Bev Keane also plays Sarah in Hush who tells Maddie how much she loves Midnight Mass.
There are also several cast members from the Haunting series in the show. Henry Thomas actually plays a struggling father in many of Flanagan's projects. While the returning actors are all playing different roles, their appearance within the show makes Midnight Mass feel part of a much larger universe.
Carla Gugino has had major roles in several of Flanagan's projects including the Haunting series and Gerald's Game. Gugino also has a voice cameo in the first episode of Midnight Mass.
During Riley's sentencing, Gugino's voice is heard as the judge who issues him with his sentence. The scene is pivotal as it introduces the audience to Riley's guilt which is a major plot point throughout the series. Although she isn't actually seen, Gugino's voice cameo provides yet another link to Flanagan's other work.
The fish on the back of Riley's vehicle is a direct reference to Jesus and the religious themes within Midnight Mass. Riley's later sacrifice is actually one of the saddest moments from the Netflix show. However, the fish symbol also acts as another link between the show and Hush.
A scene in Hush shows Maddie working at her laptop and her page describes blue flashing lights and the Jesus Fish on the back of the vehicle. This scene from Maddie's laptop is actually the opening scene of Midnight Mass. The camera focuses in on the fish during this scene which may seem odd at first but it's clear that this it is another reference.
Some of the references to Flanagan's other work are actually less obvious than others. While the appearance of the Oculus mirror and the Joubert sign provide clear links to his other work, there is another tie in to watch out for.
Flanagan himself actually cameos in Midnight Mass; he appears during flashbacks as a priest and also is seen in one of the gardens on Crockett Island. Having the creator actually appear in the series has to be the biggest reference of all to his previous work. Having Kate Siegel play Erin, a character from a book written by another character she has played may be meta but having the creator of both appear in the series is even more so.
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