The Curse

This is absolutely NOT a normal TV show, but if you love A24 and Safdie Brothers stuff (and who doesn't?), you're in for a treat. 'Curse' thrusts you into the uneasy world of Whitney and Asher Siegel, a newlywed couple attempting to pioneer eco-conscious housing in the quaint community of Española, New Mexico. The narrative takes a bizarre turn when the eccentrically flawed reality TV producer, Dougie, sniffs out an opportunity in their story. Brace yourself for discomfort; 'Curse excels in cringe-inducing moments, crafting a dark comedy that deliberately pushes boundaries.

The show boldly ventures into social satire, navigating a maze of ethical and moral gray zones that leave you squirming. It's a total gender bender, blending drama and thriller elements into an intensely uncomfortable yet captivating experience. Emma Stone and Benny Safdie deliver outstanding performances, adding depth to the characters entangled in this gripping narrative. "Curse has set a high bar for dark comedies, and so far, it's great. I can't wait to see where it goes-eagerly anticipating the twists and turns ahead in this daring exploration of relationships, ethics, and the unexpected consequences of eco-conscious dreams.

I love Nathan Fielder, he's hilarious, and Emma Stone is a jewel in Hollywood so this is a very confusing show. It's well acted and in some ways it is humorous but I actually ended up feeling sorry for them when they surely were meant to be the butt of the joke. It reminds me of the British Office in that regard as David is not a nice person but he sort of endeers himself....but this just ends up seeming quite mean spirited and sad. Maybe I wanted more laugh out loud moments or calamitous situations but it is what it is. It is certainly unique and interesting, maybe it's just ahead of its time.

---just don't apply when it's dark satire is about just those desciptors. A slow burn of cringe by the awkward, yet brilliant acting and anti-chemistry are what gives this series it's ignition point. If a young Kubrick made a neo dark satire series, it might just feel like this. Never mind the might, it would feel JUST like this.

It's definitely not for everyone and being a big fan of Fielder's work coupled with the Safdie's, this was catnip for the weirdo humor in me. It's takes patience and full understanding the delivery and pitch back humor is stylistic satirical genius.

The pretention and over the top 3 layer storyline is reminiscent of the very prentiously delicious (though found it a bit of a self indulgent slog in the third act) Ruben Östlund's "Triangle of Sadness"

This is brilliant to those that like this sort of offkilter independent filmmaking, and the flipside being people that go apeshit for a more "obvious" approach to humor might find this unwatchable.

And thats okay...its all subjective, and I'll take this all day.

When I mean uncomfortable I mean there's a lot of cringey moments in this show, but that's but makes it so good. The premise is really strong, a couple trying to modernize an old small town. The cast is absolutely flawless, especially Emma Stone as the wife. You can literally feel what the characters are feeling in every shot and look they give. It is a slow burn of a tv show but for this kind of plot it just works and never feels forced. Now of course this show hasn't been fully released and I'm just going off the first episode, but truly I can't wait to see the rest. This is a really good show.

The Curse is a slow, long, and uncomfortable watch. There is not much of a through-plot in the series (the story is coherent, but does not have consistent, clear direction). If you go into this show for a story, you will be greatly disappointed.

The aspect of the show with the largest draw is the complex dynamics of the characters. Each lead character is deeply flawed, and the events of the show are primarily a way to explore these flaws. My viewing experience consisted of one part watching the episode followed by an equal part sitting and trying decode the characters' behaviors, helped along in many cases by the heavy use of metaphors and symbolism in the show.

The show is perplexing, in a way I happened to find entertaining. I would not expected it to be a particularly entertaining or enjoyable watch for a viewer whose brain isn't tickled in a similar way. I understand why people dislike the show, and most of their criticisms are perfectly valid.

I would recommend giving it a shot. If you do not connect with the first two or three episodes, you should know it will not improve. But if you connect with the style of the show, it is a fantastic experience.