Mike Flanagan Alleges Netflix ‘Actively Hostile’ About Physical Releases, Midnight Mass Never Getting DVD Or Blu-ray?
Midnight Mass creator Mike Flanagan says Netflix’s approach to physical releases is “actively hostile.” The filmmaker made the claim while speaking during a panel. “I tried very hard to get them to release my work on Blu-Ray and DVD,” he explained. “Netflix refused at every turn. It became clear very fast that their only priority was subs, and that they were actively hostile to the idea of physical media. “
A Dangerous Point Of View
“This is a very dangerous point of view,” Mike Flanagan continued. “While companies like Netflix pride themselves on being disruptors and have proven that they can affect great change in the industry, they sometimes fail to see the difference between disruption and damage. So much that they can find themselves, intentionally or not, doing enormous harm to the very concept of film preservation.”
Mike Flanagan’s earlier Netflix shows, 2018’s The Haunting of Hill House and 2020’s The Haunting of Bly Manor, were able to get physical media releases because they were co-produced with Paramount Pictures. This allowed Paramount to retain the home video rights, enabling the release of these shows on Blu-ray and DVD, much to the delight of fans.
Midnight Mass
Created by Mike Flanagan, Midnight Mass premiered on Netflix in September 2021. The story revolves around a small, isolated island community called Crockett Island.
When a charismatic young priest, Father Paul, arrives on the island, various miraculous events and ominous omens follow. As a result, the community experiences a renewed religious fervor. But these miracles come at a price.
The main cast includes Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Annabeth Gish, and Michael Trucco. The series received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its storytelling, characters, and atmospheric tension.
Midnight Mass is still available to stream exclusively on Netflix, with no official Blu-ray or DVD release announced.
Flanagan And King
Mike Flanagan took on multiple roles in creating his Netflix shows, serving as writer, producer, and showrunner. His projects, such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, and The Fall of the House of Usher, were all under his careful supervision.
Flanagan is also known for Stephen King adaptations, such as Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep.
He’s currently working on another King adaptation, The Life of Chuck, and plans to reboot The Dark Tower. Flanagan will also direct the next Exorcist movie following the disappointing performance of The Exorcist: Believer in 2023. Flanagan aims to bring a fresh perspective to the iconic story in this new installment.
Netflix Depriving The Fans
Mike Flanagan’s comments about Netflix’s stance on physical releases shed light on a significant debate within the entertainment industry.
Netflix, like many streaming platforms, prioritizes subscriber growth and retention above all else. This strategy is driven by the platform’s business model, which relies on a large subscriber base to generate revenue.
While understandable, this approach often clashes with the desires of creators and fans who value physical media for various reasons, including collection and higher-quality viewing experiences.
By keeping popular shows like Midnight Mass exclusive to the platform, Netflix deprives fans of the opportunity to own a physical copy of the series and limits accessibility.
Netflix’s Motives
However, Netflix’s reluctance to embrace physical media likely stems from cost considerations and the perceived decline of traditional home entertainment formats. Producing and distributing physical copies of content includes additional manufacturing and logistical expenses, which may not align with Netflix’s streamlined digital distribution model.
However, Mike Flanagan’s criticism of Netflix’s stance on physical media raises important concerns about the long-term implications for film preservation. By keeping series like Midnight Mass as a streaming exclusive, the company incentivizes viewers to keep their subscriptions to access content they enjoy.
Source: World of Reel
