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.

From what i know, The Curse is supposed to be intentionally 'cringe' or 'uncomfortable' but in a funny goofy way. It's just cringe. I don't think i laughed at all. The jokes must've flew over my head. Though Nathan and Emma acted really well, i can't say that their character are likeable enough for the audience to care.

It shot decently, i like the focus on the 'grey area' of a satire charity reality show. But it's too slow paced with barely anything happened. The major plot points are very unrealistic. It's a far stretched, to somehow makes it relate to the title (i know it's a bit ambiguous, I'm trying not to spoil anything)

6/10.

I keep hoping each episode get's better but it doesn't. There is absolutely no chemistry between Emma Stone's character and her husband. The incredibly odd and manual sex scene they share is comical at best and hard to digest as their reality. I wish them good luck on pulling this one from the trash bin but they are already into episode 3 and it's not looking very positive. Skip this entirely or if you must disappoint yourself, watch episode 1 and blow off the rest. I can't believe Showtime is making crap like this and dumped Bellator to make more original content. Oh well, worse decisions have been made by subscription television.

The 3 stars are purely for Emma Stone, who is doing her best with the material she's given. Otherwise, I'd have to rate this one star.

I'm not familiar with any of the other actors in this show, but I feel like with all the hype this has gotten, there must be superfans of their previous work who will love anything that these people put out.

But for me, cringey scenes do not automatically add up to comedy. And that's pretty much all I saw in the first episode. No humor whatsoever, just awkward situation after awkward situation -- as if we were being told, "Oh look, these otherwise nice people are being put into embarrassing, mortifying, and uncomfortable predicaments, pushed to their limits -- isn't that hilarious?" Well, no. No it isn't.

One episode was more than enough.

---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.