Something Very Bad is Going to Happen: Netflix's New Horror Series Has Everyone Talking
As we approach wedding season, Netflix has dropped a horrifying lesson about love and marriage, whether they realize it or not.
THE MIND BEHIND THE HORROR
The creator of the series, Haley Z. Boston, shared that her inspiration behind the series comes from a personal fear that has stuck with her from a very young age. She shared with Netflix's Tudum that when she was a child, her mother warned her about marrying the wrong person; something that caused a significant and lingering anxiety and fear when it comes to making such a large commitment. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is the horror-filled externalization of that fear.
THE SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen follows a woman named Rachel (Camila Morrone) and her fiancé, Nicky (Adam DiMarco), as they travel to his family’s remote vacation home for a small, intimate wedding. From the moment they arrive, a series of strange experiences and eerie coincidences begin to unfold, slowly pushing Rachel to question one of the most important decisions she will ever make, while revealing that something deeply sinister is festering beneath the surface.
THE WATCHER REVIEW
To be fully transparent, the way I found out about this series was when Netflix reached out to me to do a partnership, where they wanted me to give my first time reaction to the trailer. Full disclosure, this review is completely separate from the partnership and these are my honest thoughts after finally watching the series. Needless to say, it did not disappoint...
There are many things to love about Something Very Bad is Going to Happen. It's this atmospheric horror that really draws you in and has you questioning what is real and what is just superstition. I love the way the series captured that "cold feet" feeling of fear and anxiety before the wedding with this added layer of horror, leaving not only the characters questioning the decision, but also the audience.
I personally loved the cinematography, set and costume design, and especially how the series shows the curse taking hold in real time.
Haley Z. Boston shared in an Entertainment Weekly interview that she drew inspiration from Carrie and that element is very much present there. Alongside Carrie, in the same interview it is shared that the visual and tonal mood board also included many classics like The Vanishing (1988), The Celebration (1998), The White Lotus, and the work of Jonathan Demme.
As you will see in The Audience Review below, many criticized the pacing, but for me it added onto the eeriness of it all. Also it had a great balance of the horror and humor, alongside an unforgettable finale.
THE AUDIENCE REVIEW
The overall reception of of this series was positive, although divided. Many watchers raved about the suspense, tension, originality, and thematic elements, while others had gripes about the acting, dialogue, and made claims that it didn't live up to expectations or it's potential.
5/5 ★ Overall, it’s an unsettling watch that sticks with you if you enjoy dark, suspense-driven storytelling. (Jasmine R., Rotten Tomatoes)
10/10 ★ Instead of showing a few examples of failed marriages, the writer has used dramatic & horror side involving bleeding & death to warn people what will happen if they chose the wrong life partner. This applies not just to bride but groom as well. (aameruzzama, IMDb)
½ ★ Save your time, and press skip. What was a promising and intriguing start, turned left swiftly and fell flat on its face. (sadboy B., Rotten Tomatoes)
4/5 ★ A slow-building horror thriller that relies on atmosphere and unease rather than constant scares, Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen rewards patient viewers with a tense and memorable experience. (Cobe C. Rotten Tomatoes)
1/10 ★ It's difficult to invest in characters when the first 20 minutes are just grating expositiony dialogue and irritating, superficial cutesiness.(thomasshahbaz-52541, IMDb)
½ ★ This could have been a movie. But even if it is… the plot is exhausting. (SSS Y, Rotten Tomatoes)
While many of these reviews come down to personal preference and perception, there is also a significant portion that viewed the series negatively because of the the Duffer Brother's association with it, highlighting the recent controversy surrounding the final season of Stranger Things and it's very underwhelming conclusion:
"After what the Duffer Brothers did to Season 5 of Stranger Things, didn’t really care to watch but gave it a chance so that we could look for some more CG clues." (Loren K, Rotten Tomatoes)
While others defend the series:
"I don't care what people think and if they are judging it because it's the duffer brother's production. The creator is Haley Boston." (Audrey A, Rotten Tomatoes)
Another watcher pointed out the high volume of marketing done for the series, which is something that has been known to create an aversion for many general watchers (including myself):
"I see billboards everywhere in LA, it shows up at the top of Netflix, in recommended, and as #1 in the world. They’re pushing it so hard..." (Joshua K, Rotten Tomatoes)
Over promotion can create skepticism, making audiences more likely to question the execution.
One final criticism that I will touch on is the overall production. Although this was not my experience, many watchers echoed the same criticism as this review:
"So... let's make something where the lighting is so bad that no one is seeing what is going on." (pcarlssons-32546, IMDb)
Despite the negative feedback it has received, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen gained more positive reactions, scoring 88% from RT Critics and 65% from the RT Popcornmeter. On Letterboxd, it has 3.7/5 average rating, and 6.8/10 on IMDb.
THE FINAL VERDICT
In conclusion, based on your own preferences, you will either love this new take on horror that drew inspiration from classics, or you'll feel it didn't live up to expectations. My best advice is to always watch it for yourself to find out.
Watch Something Very Bad is Going to Happen right now on Netflix.