Something Very Bad is Going to Happen immediately sets itself up as a psychological horror series, that is separate from the typical Netflix rollout series, using paranoia, unease, and uncertainty rather than relying on a traditional or overused horror structure.
The limited series centers around a couple preparing to get married, but from the beginning develops a constant sense that something is very off, within the environment set up, within the relationship itself, and how the camera is used to build unease.
It’s a series that blends paranormal elements and curses with psychological mind games and reality, to create its unique type of tension around identity, trust, and whether what we’re seeing and feeling is truly real. Its rare when a series gets dropped on a random Thursday with this much identity in its plot, and along with the performance from Camilla Morrone, makes the eight-episode limited a new must watch for horror fans. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen stands out as a psychological horror series that succeeds through its atmosphere, unique visual style, and slow-building twist-induced tension, even if aspects of its pacing and dialogue occasionally hold it back from being great.
The Series begins with Rachel entering Nicky’s world, meeting his family at their mansion-like cabin while subtle tension sprinkled throughout establishing the discomfort almost immediately. Strange events and behaviors make Rachel progressively more uneasy, especially as the environment begins to feel increasingly hostile and unfamiliar as Nicky’s family takes an odd interest in her. The presence of the “Sorry Man” myth introduces an early sense of mystery and paranormal trait that makes the family even more suspicious, while also alluding to there being a much more sinister plot similar to that of a Ready or Not type narrative. The show effectively blends this paranormal horror, with the psychological tension, of the families clearly out-of-the-ordinary actions constantly playing with Rachel’s perception, of what is real and what’s pre-wedding mind games. Bloody hallucinations, strange encounters after the loss of her wedding dress, and subtle shifts in reality and tone from characters create a consistent sense of unease that shrouds much of the first half of the series. So much of the horror comes not from direct and over used scares, but from the uncertainty surrounding Rachel’s situation and if she truly wants to be a part of this family and marry Nicky.
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen blends creative and unconventional camera angles, found footage, and pop-style shot compositions that add to the discomfort and intensity of the show, as well as differentiate it from many other more bland entries. Its editing style feels unusual at points and at times disorienting, but for the most part this works in the favor of the appeal reinforcing the psychological instability of the narrative, despite it not necessarily being on purpose or very uniform at times. These stylistic choices aren’t monumental but they do separate from the standard Netflix limited series thriller, helping the show stand above many of its similar releases, and establish an identity that is memorable.
The first few episodes of the show, as mentioned before, build the tension and the ambience, gradually escalating the horror and building up the themes of the back half but keeping its cards close and deepening the mystery aspect of the plot. Episode 2 introduces major instability, as Rachel moves through increasingly chaotic and confusing events without Nicky at the house, culminating in the crescendo of odd moments that feel like an emotional and psychological breakdown that’s downplayed by the family. Episode 3 continues this progression, as Rachel gains a sense of control over their family who clearly needs therapy for a dying mother and unresolved issues between siblings, before abruptly throwing the dagger of a kidnapping into the mix. As the story progresses into the middle episodes, as 4 & 5 maintain the same level of quality but begin to really drag the plot and mystery on a bit longer than they need to as the tension plateaus. The show could have benefited by cutting an episode in runtime and really increased intensity in the middle instead to match the real strength of the early attention-gaining buildup. Despite this, the core psychological tension does remain present as the show moves into its later episodes and huge twists.
The main actress Camilla Morrone does a fantastic job from start to finish here, effectively carrying the emotional and psychological weight of the show, its a performance that not only makes the show better but makes the show entirely. Her portrayal keeps the audience engaged, even when the pacing dips, and the character’s mindset ,particularly in her growing discomfort and mystery-solving, remains the show’s strongest element, as her character work in the first 5 episodes sets up her character’s decisions after the twist in the last three.
– SPOILERS SKIP THIS NEXT SECTION IF YOU CHOOSE –
The later episodes of the show reveal the central concept that has remained hidden in the trailers and early episodes as Rachel finds her family to have a curse that kills brides at the altar if they marry anyone but their soulmate. It’s a clearly laid out plot point discovered through both a found footage excerpt and research from both inside and out of the family that explains the bloody mess that highlights the very beginning of the show’s first episode. Rachel learns of her mother’s fate, discovering a parallel that may suffer the same outcome, and shoots into a paranoia of not only whether she truly loves Nicky but also whether she must go through a bloody and near immoral ritual in order to prevent her death on the altar. The revelation introduces the ideas that have been laid out the entire series, why Rachel grew up without a mother as well as why there has been this large disconnect and looming fear of paranormal activity in the show. It’s not the family itself but the looming death surrounding the marriage.
The final episodes build towards a crescendo as the curse fully impacts Nicky’s family, when there is a hiccup at the alter, entering widespread chaos as the curse transfers over to the Cunningham family and away from Rachel. Ultimately, the family before they all die out force Rachel to marry Nicky against her will, stopping the curse and saving a few of the family that is left standing, seemingly ending the chaos but killing our main character Rachel in the process. The plot starts to slip when Rachel wakes up after a mysterious final ritual from her mysterious lurking father, and leaves the family behind, showing the show’s commitment to the psychological aspect but also inability to fully stick the landing of a well set up series, likely throwing a few audiences off from a complete high rating.
– END OF SPOILERS –
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen succeeds in creating a distinct atmosphere through its use of paranoia, visual style, and psychological tension. Its unconventional approach to horror and storytelling helps it stand out from more traditional releases, although slipping slightly at the end and having a slightly too long middle section. While these pacing issues are certainly present, the show ultimately delivers a memorable and uniquely unsettling experience that earns it an 82/100 from the Twilight Room.
Twilight Room Score: 82.7/100
