Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen review: Netflix’s blood-soaked thriller values gore over lore

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Ever witnessed a wedding where a happily ever after just doesn’t seem on the cards?

Netflix’s latest horror series doesn’t try to be subtle about the danger ahead. It makes it clear from the start that something terrible will happen before the eight episodes are over, so don’t say you weren’t warned!

Just a week before their wedding, Rachel Harkin and Nicky Cunningham head to Summer House, Nicky’s family’s historic home. However, a series of unsettling events during their journey leave Rachel feeling anxious as her wedding week begins.

The situation becomes even stranger when they arrive at Summer House and meet Nicky’s intimidating family. This includes his parents, whom he greatly admires, his bluntly honest brother Jules (Jeff Wilbusch) and his practical wife Nell (Karla Crome), his flamboyant sister Portia (Gus Birney), and his reserved nephew Jude (Sawyer Fraser).

Rachel’s wedding is approaching, and she’s increasingly anxious. She keeps hoping that marrying Nicky will make everything better, but she can’t shake her worries.

Hayley Z. Boston created and the Duffer Brothers executive produced ‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen,’ their first project since ‘Stranger Things.’ It’s a gripping series, ideal for watching all at once on a cozy weekend.

The show’s creator, Boston, explores a relatable fear: the pressure many of us feel about choosing the right life partner, and the potential consequences if we make the wrong choice. This taps into anxieties that often start in childhood.

This eight-episode series moves at a great pace, immediately grabbing your attention with exciting events. It’s never boring, carefully detailing everything that happens each week, even the difficult parts. The standout episode is particularly effective, slowing down to focus on the chaos of a wedding morning and giving a fast-paced, intense look into one character’s experience.

The show also boasts a fantastic cast, with Patricia Arquette (known from Shining Vale) delivering a particularly impressive performance as Portia. She skillfully balances a heightened, almost cartoonish portrayal of the character with a believable performance, even as Portia becomes increasingly unlikeable throughout the series.

Riley Keough, famous for her work in shows like Daisy Jones & The Six and The Night Manager, shines as Rachel in this series. The writing skillfully unveils pieces of Rachel’s history, helping us understand her character, and Keough perfectly embodies her with a mix of charm, intelligence, and a slightly rebellious spirit, making her feel like an outsider within the Cunningham family.

The show’s strong visual style is particularly impressive, clearly reflecting showrunner Boston’s creative vision. The wedding scenes are especially beautiful, showcasing excellent artistic decisions by Boston and the directors.

The show’s willingness to fully embrace horror is a major strength. It doesn’t shy away from graphic violence, and that actually enhances the experience. The level of bloodshed steadily increases, becoming almost over-the-top, to really drive home the point that anyone could be in danger.

While the show puts a lot of effort into its look and feel, this actually highlights some weaknesses in the plot itself.

Nicky’s character doesn’t feel fully developed. Even though he’s a central figure, he’s the least engaging member of his family, and by the series’ end, we still don’t have a strong sense of who he is. This is a significant problem, given how important he and his relationships are to the overall story.

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The show’s backstory and world-building sometimes feel underdeveloped. A major secret is revealed halfway through the series that’s meant to be a turning point, but the reveal itself is a bit underwhelming. The show doesn’t fully explore the implications of this secret, especially regarding important characters like Zlatko Burić and his connection to it.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen clearly shows respect for classic horror films, which is great. However, it also highlights just how strong the horror genre can be when it’s at its best.

A particular scene strongly recalls Netflix’s successful history with horror series, especially the work of Mike Flanagan, creator of shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. However, this new series doesn’t quite reach the same level of quality.

Although it’s not perfect, this new horror film on Netflix is still worth watching this weekend. Just be mindful of who you’re watching with – you might be surprised by what you discover about them!

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Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-26 12:05