The Curse

---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.

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 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.

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.

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.