Midnight is a fantastic villain concept for both not pulling the curtain too far back on exactly what the monster is, and for the wedge it drives between him and the humans.
Generally when you think of a lot of the Doctor's big "wins" since the rebooted series they all revolve around the idea of the Doctor using his connection and relationship with the better nature of humans to save the day. He inspires them, unites them, uses their innate power and decency to confound even the most threatening of foes. Sometimes its just his human companion, sometimes its the entire world, but that's generally how he gets it done.
But the monster in Midnight pretty quickly realizes this and almost defeats the Doctor by turning a group of ordinary people into maniacs, like a dark mirror of his ability to inspire.
And what is most impressive is that even though the Doctor has had centuries of contact and experience with humans, this creature that has presumably never seen humans before almost beats him at manipulating them.
Well said.