'The Haunting of Bly Manor' is its own horror masterpiece

From the get go, "The Haunting of Bly Manor" had a great challenge ahead of it: to meet the tall expectations of fans who absolutely loved "The Haunting of Hill House."

And while it was clear since the second season was announced that it was an indirect sequel, it is unavoidable that viewers make comparisons.

It can't be denied that two series do have several parallels, give the fact that it was still created by horror geniuses Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy, and it has returning cast members from "Hill House" including Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, and Catherine Parker.

But for one to enjoy "Bly Manor" you have to completely forget about "Hill House."

^{Photo: Netflix}

Based on the works of Henry James, particularly "The Turn of The Screw," "Bly Manor" goes way back in time in the 1980s set in the English countryside.

It follows the story of a young American nanny who has been hired by Henry Wingrave to look after his orphaned niece Flora and nephew Miles living at Bly Manor after an au pair's tragic death. In the house lived the home chef Owen, groundskeeper Jamie and housekeeper, Mrs. Grose.

The second season still stays true to the series' refreshing take on horror, giving the story-telling dark depth skipping the same old gore or cheap scares. And just like the first season, this one is also brimming with psychological thrills while each of its character's humane story stabilizes its atmosphere giving it both the suspense of the supernatural and reality.

The difference is that "Bly Manor" has been laid out to its viewers at a much more complex structure that it's almost like it's hallucinatory. It was a mix of Henry James' works and it was impressive how all those have been cohesively put together in one story.

Given that there is a haunted house, there are kids, and there is a concept of family, it's hard not to expect that it would leave you reeling the way "Hill House" did.

But let's get straight to the point, it won't make you feel the same.

^{Photo: Netflix}

No matter how familiar it may seem, "Hill House" is centered about family and their issues, but "Bly Manor" is set to show you the connection between a great love story and a great ghost story.

"The Haunting of Bly Manor" is worth a play, if you want a new refreshing horror story told with the same thrills and depth. After all, it is its own masterpiece and it possesses its own kind of darkness, tragic mystery, and gravity.

It is proof that a show doesn’t have to be filled with jump scares for it to be terrifying. The true horror lies in the realization that fear and loss are both attached to love.

The puzzling chronology of its storytelling and the A+ dialogue also blend well with its captivating cinematography that will leave an imprint in your head long after the final episode airs.

However, if you're expecting it will give you the same burst of emotions the way "Hill House" did then it might be a pass if you're not patient enough to sit out and watch until the end of the last episode.

Regardless of everything, "The Haunting of Bly Manor" is worth giving a chance, but keep in mind that it is not "The Haunting of Hill House." —JCB, GMA News