The Curse (2023)

Watchseries; I don't know what I could add here that hasn't already been comprehensively stated, but since I despise this style of filmmaking, I'll try.

When I saw a Safdie involved in this, my cinematic Spidey-sense was raging like a jackhammer in my frontal lobe. It was bad enough Safdie's filled an entire movie with bad 60's era sci-fi synthesizer music, but we get to experience that fetish yet again in this dreck, although at least to a lesser degree. It does help however to shift ones thoughts away from the painfully unfunny scenes, I admit, so there's that.

Slow zoom shots were pretty passe like 50 years ago and the extended holds on characters meant to show inner turmoil are a bit much. It almost seems like they're trying to eat up screen time with these overly long moments of awkwardness.

Casting is customarily odd and seem to indicate somewhat of a new age sociopolitical agenda. How do Somalian's find their way to a tiny New Mexico town that's almost entirely populated with Hispanic people? Where did that casting choice come from?

Black comedy? I guess. I like the commentary on smarmy NYC reality show directors since I have worked with a few, but humanizing that character in this is just distracting and unnecessary. We don't need to like him or care about him.

I don't know, the chemistry of this series isn't producing "bang," but rather just creates a distinct hatred for it. I hung in there for 3 episodes only for Emma Stone, but I'm done.

I don't know what I could add here that hasn't already been comprehensively stated, but since I despise this style of filmmaking, I'll try.

When I saw a Safdie involved in this, my cinematic Spidey-sense was raging like a jackhammer in my frontal lobe. It was bad enough Safdie's filled an entire movie with bad 60's era sci-fi synthesizer music, but we get to experience that fetish yet again in this dreck, although at least to a lesser degree. It does help however to shift ones thoughts away from the painfully unfunny scenes, I admit, so there's that.

Slow zoom shots were pretty passe like 50 years ago and the extended holds on characters meant to show inner turmoil are a bit much. It almost seems like they're trying to eat up screen time with these overly long moments of awkwardness.

Casting is customarily odd and seem to indicate somewhat of a new age sociopolitical agenda. How do Somalian's find their way to a tiny New Mexico town that's almost entirely populated with Hispanic people? Where did that casting choice come from?

Black comedy? I guess. I like the commentary on smarmy NYC reality show directors since I have worked with a few, but humanizing that character in this is just distracting and unnecessary. We don't need to like him or care about him.

I don't know, the chemistry of this series isn't producing "bang," but rather just creates a distinct hatred for it. I hung in there for 3 episodes only for Emma Stone, but I'm done.

The Curse watchseries. The Curse is almost unfathomably bad. Only Emma Stone as Whitney saves it from infinite badness.

Ever hear the dig 'He doesn't know what he doesn't know'? The lead couple are so wholly transactional, pretentious, entitled, thirsty, racially condescending, desperate, materialistic, deluded and unskillful it's like they have no inside. The make-up of 2.66 out of the 3 leads is sheer cringe.

And not funny cringe. A black comedy/satire that isn't funny. But it is dull, predictable, slow and flat.

If Nathan Fielder (Asher) can act, I'm not aware of it. Their producer is the most telegraphed, trope-y, dime-a-dozen reality TV villain I've seen in a while.

The killer part is, it's a terrific premise. A cringey send-up of hollow, gentrifying, buzzword-y transactionists disguised as bright-eyed, hip HGTV reality show eco-purist uplifters?

If not for Emma Stone, I couldn't have endured the pilot. Two hours later, The Curse is still an ellipsis.

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.

As Episode 1 of "The Curse" (2023 release; 10 episodes; Episode 1 runs for 61 min) opens, we get to know Asher and Whitney Siegel, recently married and who are in Española, NM hoping to film a pilot for a new HGTV show. Early on, an 8 or 9 yr girl who is unhappy with how Asher treated her proclaims that he is now cursed... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the long awaited latest creation form the brains of Nathan "The Rehearsal" Fielder, who writes, directs and for good measure also co-stars (as Asher) in this series. Here he explores a number of ideas, one more off-center than the other. Some are truly bizarre, none more so that when Asher has a discussion with Whitney's dad about a certain male body part being 'small' or not. Beware: nudity is of course mandatory under these circumstances. In a way, this feels like a much darker side of "The White Lotus". "The Curse" is billed as a black comedy, but I don't see much of that so far (granted, I've seen only Episode 1). Still, I am intrigued, mostly because Emma Stone (as Whitney) is outstanding yet again. I'll give it a few more episodes to see how this evolves, as this could become very good, or it could go south as well.

Episode 1 of "The Curse" premiered on Showtime this weekend, and is also streaming on Paramount+'s SHO. Whether you are a fan of Emma Stone or of Nathan Field, I'd suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

So far, I don't think it has what it takes.

Despite very good acting and delivery, great production values and excellent minor cast I don't think it delivers.

The concept is interesting but the delivery lacks pace. Either too much is happening or the build up is too long and the denouement too weak to justify the time and effort. Frustratingly so.

I realise the objective is to highlight the cringe factor of human situations but it comes across as contrived, a series of very variable sketches lacking form, and while it tells a story, it's a tedious story that telegraphs the ending.

Overall, pretty post-modern but fails to deliver what counts.

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.