WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the entirety of Midnight Mass, streaming now on Netflix. This article also contains discussion of self-harm.
Netflix's Midnight Mass does well not to overcomplicate its story as it focuses on Crockett Island and the St. Patrick's church. However, the parishioners -- 127 or so -- don't realize they're being duped using Catholicism to be converted to vampires. As this happens and the conspiracy unfolds, some plot holes do arise, so let's break them down along with the show's unanswered questions.
What's the Vampire's Origin in Midnight Mass?
We know Father Pruitt got lost on a holy pilgrimage in Damascus, with a sandstorm plopping him into a temple where the vamp feeds on him and turns him young again. However, while he deems it an angel, we're not sure if it's a demon. It seems hellbent on using Christianity to warp people and spread its infection outside of Crockett, so it'd have been nice to know if this false prophet was indeed Lucifer, chief of fallen angels from Heaven.
Why Did Riley Only Show Erin His Proof?
Riley gets turned by Pruitt but he opts to incinerate his body in the sunlight to get Erin to flee. He did leave his parents a letter telling them their church was evil, but we don't know why he didn't show them and the citizens how he was burning in the sun. He could have left his younger brother, Warren (an altar boy), a letter as well, as they're all buying into Pruitt's scheme. It's odd he wants to help Erin alone, when his death in front of everyone would have caused some to fight back against the church.
Why Did Sarah Not Show Sheriff Hassan Better Proof?
Sarah's then told by Erin about the conspiracy as Pruitt's masquerading as Father Paul. However, Sarah, the island's doctor, doesn't convince Sheriff Hassan as he's terrified of investigating white people, being brown and Muslim. But Sarah could simply have shown him her mother's blood, which boils in the sun. This would have gotten him to make a move, as he'd know the wine was poisoned with vamp blood. Erin could also have corroborated Riley's death, bringing in Riley's ashes to test.
Why Does No One Notice Mildred Getting Younger?
Folks there knew Pruitt as he grew old so they should be able to tell Paul is a younger him. They don't need old newspaper articles to point that out. Plus, Hassan never calls the archdiocese to confirm Paul's arrival which would have proven he was tricking them. That's his job, so it's really unprofessional. In addition, Paul's de-aging the ill Mildred as he loves her, yet no one bats an eye when she shaves decades off and comes to various masses.
How Does Erin Cut Up The Angel's Wings?
Erin is ambushed by the vampire in the finale as Hassan rounds up a team to burn the nest down. She pulls a knife out of one pocket and starts cutting its wing as it feeds, but the thing is, the other wing's being sliced up too. Erin only had one blade and could not switch hands with the angel on top of her, so unless she secretly stashed another, she must be teleporting the knife from hand to hand.
Why Are the Churchgoers So Bad in Battle?
When Bev locks them in with the vampire so they can all convert, the ones that don't want this simply stay and wait until the feeding frenzy. They should have fled the moment Bev closed the doors rather than wait. In addition, Hassan pulls a gun on Bev but he turns his back on extremists who want immortality, making it easy for them to subdue him. Lastly, when Erin shoots Bev in the rectory, she doesn't opt to decapitate her or burn the body, which is dumb as she knows the tyrant will resurrect.
All seven episodes of Midnight Mass are streaming on Netflix.