Tom’s Guide Verdict: ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’
- Rating: 3.5/5 stars
- Verdict: “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is a chilling Netflix miniseries that successfully crafts an eerie atmosphere and a sense of dread that the titular bad thing could happen at any moment. But it does focus a little too much on creating mysteries, neglecting satisfying answers in the process.
- Where to watch: “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ is on Netflix now
Netflix’s new dark miniseries “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” appears to have come from the Alfred Hitchcock school of tension-building.
The legendary director, dubbed the “Master of Suspense,” famously explained that the best way to build tension isn’t to have a shocking moment happen out of the blue, but rather to tell the audience something is afoot and have them count down to the moment of impact. Creator Haley Z. Boston takes this filmmaking lesson very literally, making it clear to viewers that something very bad is going to happen in the show’s title; it’s just a matter of when and what.
And trust me, plenty of wickedly evil things take place across this eight-episode Netflix series (I’ve seen the first seven chapters in advance). It might take a little while to really build up momentum, but as the mysteries mount, you’ll find yourself drawn to that “play next” button. Here’s why it’s one of Netflix’s most skin-crawling series since “The Haunting of Hill House.”
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What is ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ about?
“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is set over a tortuously long week for a loved-up couple preparing for their wedding. Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco) are getting ready to tie the knot at the latter’s parents’ cozy — or maybe that should be creepy — remote vacation cabin.
As the big day gets closer, Rachel becomes increasingly concerned, maybe even a little paranoid, convinced that something isn’t quite right and she’s making a mistake. She has good reason to worry; not only are Nicky’s family more than a little oddball, but the sinister atmosphere is practically tangible.
This Netflix series is one where the less you know before watching, the better, and even the pre-release trailers have been light on divulging story spoilers. I’ll stick to the script to avoid ruining any surprises myself, but I’ll just say it most certainly lives up to its ominous name.
Stream ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ on Netflix, if you can handle it…
“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” successfully creates an unnerving sense of tension. Right from the drop, even in what are supposed to be happy moments between Rachel and Nicky, something feels alarmingly off. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but it’s that relatable, anxious feeling that a bad thing is coming — you just don’t know what it is or when it’ll surface.
Chilling moments and the occasional jump scare flow in the early chapters, but where the series stumbles out of the gate is by not offering more substantial morsels of information. The first three episodes are almost entirely dedicated to careful setup, building mysteries, and dark atmosphere. This is certainly effective, but it does leave you craving less teasing, more answers.
Episode four, titled “The Witness,” is where the show really kicks into gear, and the bedrock of the remainder of the show (or at least, the focus up to the finale) is laid out. It’s a smart move, just as I found myself getting frustrated at the lack of answers, a healthy dose of clarity is served up. And that’s not to say the show gives everything away too early, even the reveals in episode four open yet more questions. Giving viewers fresh mysteries to decipher.
Perhaps where the show struggles the most is in crafting fleshed-out characters. Rachel gets the most development as the lead (and Morrone does a great job with the material), but the rest of the cast often feel more like objects to creep you out rather than actual people. However, Jennifer Jason Leigh is a standout as the family’s matriarch, Victoria. After making her acquaintance, any complaints you may have about your in-laws will be gone.
It’s not for the easily spooked, and I believe it’s probably best consumed rapidly. This is a Netflix series made for binge-watching. Marathoning episodes helps reduce some of the early frustration with the focus on teasing, and with so many mysteries interweaving, and an undeniably compelling core question (will Nicky and Rachel make it down the aisle?), “Something Very Bad Is Going to Help” is just more satisfying when consumed at a quicker pace.
Verdict: “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is watchlist-worthy
Scaredy cats need not apply (sorry to my colleague, Martin Shore), but if you can handle horror, “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is deserving of your streaming time. Its atmosphere building is impressive, and there are a few neat camera tricks that will have you second-guessing yourself. Is that just a shadow or a sinister figure lurking in a dark corner?
It’s lacking in well-realized characters, and viewers who are easily frustrated by a show that builds a web of mysteries and isn’t always forthcoming about giving a definitive answer to those questions might find themselves tiring of the teasing by the midpoint. But you should stick with it because while you know something very bad is going to happen from the drop, finding out exactly when that inevitable moment will occur is really the joy of this show.
Watch “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” on Netflix now
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