The Midnight Club: Unpacking Spence's Journey and Representation in Mike Flanagan's Tale of Terminal Illness

Mike Flanagan's latest foray into the eerie and the emotional, The Midnight Club, brings a group of terminally ill teenagers together in a hospice with a hidden past.

While the series is lauded for its compelling performances and deep dives into existential questions, a central point of discussion among fans and critics revolves around the character of Spence. Is Spence gay? And how does his portrayal contribute to the broader landscape of queer representation in horror and young adult fiction?

Let's pull back the curtain on this poignant character and his narrative arc.

Who is Spence in The Midnight Club?

In the chilling yet heartfelt world of The Midnight Club, Spence is portrayed as the "warm life of the party," a character who views the hospice and its inhabitants as his found family.

He's a source of comfort and connection for the other young patients. Unlike many of his peers at Brightcliffe Hospice who are battling various forms of cancer, Spence's struggle is with AIDS. This distinction is crucial, not only for understanding his personal journey but also for appreciating the evolution of his character from the source material to the screen.

The actor bringing Spence to life is a newcomer to the "Flanagan-verse," but his performance resonates with a quiet strength and vulnerability that makes Spence a standout. This isn't his first rodeo in the world of supernatural drama, having previously appeared in Flanagan's Midnight Mass as Warren Flynn, a teenage altar boy.

His presence in The Midnight Club marks a significant step, showcasing his ability to navigate complex emotional territories.

From Novel to Screen: Spence's Evolution

The character of Spence has a fascinating duality, stemming from his roots in Christopher Pike's novel and his adaptation for the Netflix series.

In Pike's original work, Spence is depicted as the sole gay character, grappling not only with his terminal diagnosis but also with the societal pressures and internalized shame of his time. The novel delves into his guilt over potentially transmitting the virus to his boyfriend, Carl, his first and last love.

This Spence is a character consumed by rage, loneliness, and self-loathing, using his storytelling as an outlet for these potent emotions. His journey is one of profound internal conflict, highlighting the devastating impact of stigma on a young gay man facing mortality.

However, the Netflix adaptation offers a more nuanced and perhaps more hopeful iteration. While the source material hinted at Spence's sexuality and struggles, the series is more explicit. In the show, Spence is openly gay. This shift is significant, allowing for a broader exploration of his identity and relationships within the hospice community.

The series introduces ancillary gay characters, such as Cheri, a fellow patient with a flair for the dramatic, and Mark, a supportive hospice nurse, who create a more visible queer ecosystem for Spence to inhabit. This evolution reflects a broader trend in contemporary storytelling, where queer characters are not just present but are given the space to exist authentically, to have connections, and to experience community.

It's a move away from representation as a mere plot device towards genuine character development that acknowledges the multifaceted nature of queer identity.

Exploring the Themes: Identity, Community, and Storytelling

The Midnight Club uses the intimate setting of the hospice to explore profound themes that resonate deeply with its young characters and, by extension, its audience.

Spence's journey is central to these explorations. Identity: For Spence, his identity as a gay man is a significant aspect of who he is, especially in a time when such an identity was often met with judgment and secrecy. The series allows him to be seen, to express himself, and to find validation within the Midnight Club.

His struggle is not just with his illness but with the societal baggage attached to his identity. Community: The hospice, despite its grim purpose, becomes a sanctuary. The Midnight Club itself is a found family, offering solace, understanding, and shared experience.

Spence's embrace of this community, and the community's acceptance of him, underscores the human need for connection, especially when facing adversity. Storytelling as Catharsis: A cornerstone of The Midnight Club is the ritual of the Midnight Club itself - the sharing of stories.

These tales are often gothic, supernatural, and deeply personal, serving as a means for the characters to process their fears, hopes, and past traumas. Spence's stories, like those of the other members, are a way to exert control, to leave a mark, and to communicate truths that might be too difficult to speak aloud directly.

They are expressions of his inner turmoil, his anger, and his longing for connection.

Queer Representation in Horror: A Growing Trend

The inclusion of Spence and other queer characters in The Midnight Club is part of a larger, exciting movement in the horror genre.

For years, horror has been a space where LGBTQ+ individuals have found complex, often tragic, but increasingly empowered representation. From the "final girl" trope to characters who defy expectations, queer individuals have always found or forged their place in the genre.

Mike Flanagan, in particular, has a history of crafting stories that are sensitive to diverse experiences. His work often weaves in themes of found family, empathy, and the exploration of trauma, making it fertile ground for characters like Spence. The series' acknowledgment that queer people have always been part of these narratives, even if subtextually, is a powerful statement.

While some might dismiss the importance of queer inclusion as "pandering," for many viewers, it's about seeing themselves reflected in the stories that shape their understanding of the world. The desire for characters who share similar life experiences, joys, and sorrows is deeply human.

Seeing a well-rounded gay character, like Spence, navigate such profound circumstances can be incredibly affirming, offering a sense of belonging and validation.

Spence's Impact and What It Means

Spence's character arc in The Midnight Club is a testament to the power of adaptation and the evolution of storytelling.

While the novel provided a raw, emotionally charged portrayal of a young gay man dealing with AIDS and societal judgment, the series offers a more integrated and visible representation. It allows Spence to be more than just a carrier of thematic ideas; he becomes a fully realized individual within a supportive community.

The series doesn't shy away from the complexities of Spence's situation, nor does it shy away from the power of queer resilience. It's a narrative that speaks to the universal desire to be seen, to be understood, and to be loved, particularly in the face of overwhelming odds.

As viewers, we are invited to connect with Spence's courage, his vulnerability, and his unwavering assertion of his humanity. Ultimately, The Midnight Club succeeds by presenting characters like Spence not as tokens, but as integral parts of a compelling and emotionally resonant story.

Their experiences, including their struggles with identity and their triumphs in finding connection, enrich the narrative and contribute to a more inclusive and representative landscape of modern storytelling. Spence's journey reminds us that every person, in all their complexity, deserves to be seen and heard.