Netflix's Latest Horror Series Faces Scathing Criticism Over Technical Flaws
The new Netflix horror series Something Very Bad is Going to Happen has been released to audiences, but critics are highlighting significant issues with its production quality. This eight-episode show follows Rachel, played by Camila Morrone, as her pre-wedding anxieties take a sinister and supernatural turn. The official synopsis ambitiously compares the series to classic horror films like Carrie and Rosemary's Baby, positioning it as a terrifying exploration of a woman transitioning into marriage.
A Promising Premise Undermined by Execution
Rachel travels to the countryside to stay with her fiancé Nicky Cunningham's family, portrayed by Adam DiMarco, in the days leading up to their wedding. The Cunningham household is immediately portrayed as eerie and oppressive, with family members exhibiting various degrees of creepiness. Jennifer Jason Leigh delivers a notable performance, though some critics feel she is not operating at her full potential. The series attempts to delve into critiques of marriage and personal secrets, but these themes are often muddled and poorly executed.
Creator Haley Z Boston avoids the obvious metaphor of marriage as a satanic trap, which was explored in the 2019 film Ready or Not, opting instead for a more ambiguous narrative. However, Rachel's backstory is described as increasingly implausible and silly as it unfolds. The pacing is a major point of contention, with many arguing that the story would have been better suited to a feature film format due to its dragging narrative and filler content.
Technical Failings and Lighting Problems
The most consistent criticism revolves around the series' aesthetic and lighting. The visuals are frequently so dark and colour-washed that it becomes difficult to discern what is happening on screen. This issue is not unique to this series but is a recurring problem across many Netflix productions, affecting both original films and television shows. The poor lighting undermines the horror elements and dramatic tension, making the series less engaging and frightening than intended.
Jump scares are few and far between, with the most effective moments being the title cards that flash onto the screen, a technique borrowed from Michael Haneke's Funny Games. The overall look of the series is described as drab and colourless, which neuters both the horror and drama. This technical failing is so pervasive that it appears to be a systemic issue rather than an isolated accident.
Production and Audience Reception
Executive produced by the Duffer brothers, known for Stranger Things, the series carries high expectations but fails to deliver on multiple fronts. Audience and critic feedback has been largely negative, with many expressing frustration over the inability to see key scenes clearly. The combination of poor lighting, sluggish pacing, and implausible plot points has led to a disappointing reception for what could have been a compelling horror story.
In summary, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen is a series that struggles to overcome its technical and narrative shortcomings. While it presents an interesting premise, the execution falls flat, leaving viewers squinting through murky visuals and waiting for a scare that never truly arrives.
