Netflix's New Horror Series 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen' Is Absolutely Terrifying
The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, have unleashed a new horror series on Netflix titled Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, and it is absolutely terrifying. This dread-suffused drama follows a happy couple, Nicky and Rachel, as they head off for an idyllic wedding at a poorly-lit cabin in the woods, with chilling results that will leave viewers on edge.
A Creepy Premise and Eerie Beginnings
When news broke that the Duffer brothers had a new series, anticipation was high, but for some, it came with a sense of unease. The first episode, released on Thursday, March 26, introduces us to Nicky, played by Adam DiMarco, and Rachel, portrayed by Camila Morrone, four days before their wedding. They drive to Nicky's parents' vacation cabin in a snow-covered forest, but things quickly turn eerie. They encounter a baby locked in a car near an empty bar, and Rachel faces a disturbing incident in a restroom where a man watches her. The distorted playback of You Are My Destiny by Paul Anka adds to the unsettling atmosphere, highlighting the show's masterful use of sound to build dread.
Logistical Nightmares and Haunting Settings
The idea of a family-only wedding in a remote cabin might seem logistically unsound, but the show makes it a nightmare come true. Upon arrival, the cabin reveals itself to be as vast as the Overlook Hotel, with curving corridors and a central atrium dominated by a haunting family portrait. This portrait features an empty chair, ominously waiting for Rachel to be painted in, and a scrubbed-out ex-wife, guarded by stuffed Irish wolfhounds. Rachel is warned not to look into the dogs' eyes, a directive that would send most people fleeing, yet she stays, setting the stage for the frustrating choices typical of horror narratives.
Supernatural Threats and Psychological Terrors
As the night unfolds, Rachel encounters Nicky's siblings, Jules and Portia, who share a chilling story about the Sorry Man, a terrifying figure drawn to blood who searches for his lost wife in the entrails of other brides. Portia's warning, "Don't let the Sorry Man see your insides," replaces a simple goodnight, plunging the story into deeper horror. The series excels in off-kilter images and limbo-like scenes suffused with dread, elevated by Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance as a strange matriarch. Her midnight arrival with eerie pronouncements adds to the jumpy tension, making viewers question the darkness and practicality of the setting, from low-watt bulbs to the absence of modern conveniences like phones and wifi.
Wedding Horrors and Ominous Warnings
The show cleverly intertwines sex and death with marriage and murder, offering a fresh spin on horror tropes. Rachel discovers an ominous note on the floor that reads "Don't Marry Him," dripping with blood, symbolizing the bleak prospect awaiting her. It plays with wedding trappings from hell, including dress politics, borrowed heirlooms, and soulmate themes, while party organizer Portia complains about decor, saying, "This is supposed to be live-edge cedar, not Blair Witch Project." Most chillingly, it gives new meaning to having cold feet, blending psychological terror with supernatural elements.
Final Thoughts on a Terrifying Experience
For horror fans, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen might be a thrilling ride, but for others, it raises questions about the genre's appeal. The series leaves viewers pondering if they should recommend better wifi for the oddly-shaped house or worry about sleepless nights. Ultimately, it delivers a terrifying experience that challenges perceptions of fear and entertainment, making it a must-watch for those who dare to explore the darker side of storytelling.
