In 2016, horror legend Mike Flanagan released his film Hush. The film received critical acclaim and was regarded as another classic by the director. However, in 2023, the film was removed from its streaming service, Netflix, leaving no legal way to watch it. This year, however, the film finally saw a physical release.
Fortunately, the film finally saw a physical release this year. Hush became just one of many examples of a movie that was nearly lost in the streaming age and one that proves the importance of physical media. Here is a rundown of the entire story for those curious.
The Story of Mike Flanagan’s ‘Hush’
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According to SlashFilm, the 2016 film Hush will finally see a physical release. This was announced during the ATX Television festival in Austin. While he couldn’t delve into the exacts, he confirmed that a physical release was on the horizon. The film left Netflix in 2023 due to its contract expiring, inadvertently leaving it without a proper viewing channel.
2016’s Hush was a home invasion slasher following a deaf author living alone. The film received praise for its high tension and original writing. Flanagan himself is seen as a master of horror. He created the acclaimed Netflix series Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House. He also directed the 2013 Oculus, 2019’s Doctor Sleep, and is even in talks to direct an Exorcist film.
Netflix’s Opposition to Physical Media
Flanagan said he valued physical media during the interview. However, he said that according to company policy, Netflix did not permit physical media. Because of this, Hush managing to receive a physical release could open the floodgates for other streaming originals to receive them. There is an irony to Netflix not giving physical media to their works, as the company started as a DVD rental service, which they’ve since discontinued.
The reason why Netflix would do this is apparent: it helps them maintain control over their media and leaves consumers dependent on subscriptions to enjoy these works. In today’s economy, subscription-based services have become increasingly ubiquitous in business models. Later, the company would pioneer the streaming age and subsequent wars between companies.
The Eternal Importance of Physical Media
In recent years, physical media has gone from being seen as obsolete to a vital tool for media preservation. When you own a movie or show on physical, you own it. Period. There is no subscription fee, and no internet connection is needed to enjoy it. Furthermore, older DVDs usually have many other goodies like behind-the-scenes features and audio commentaries. DVD collecting has even become a hobby for many, longing for the days of Blockbuster.
One of the driving factors for this realization was how fragile a system streaming turned out to be. Once heralded as the successor to cable TV, these companies now divide catalogs, use lengthy advertisements, and continually merge, just like their predecessors. With many series, such as MAX’s Final Space, being removed and left indefinitely unavailable, physical media proves its necessity for posterity’s sake and media preservation.
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