Apr 07, 2026 11:00am IST
‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’ Review: A Slow Burn That Lives Up To The Hype
The words “SOMETHING VERY BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN” light up your screen in big, bold red capital letters. The ominous music accompanying this visual heightens the sense of suspense and intrigue. Coming from the Duffer Brothers, the makers of “Stranger Things,” this build-up is hardly surprising. There is always something compelling about a simple premise, especially one that begins in a car.
A couple is driving through the woods, about to get married. We don’t know much about them, apart from the fact that they seem in love. The couple in focus is Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco). They flirt, they giggle, and at first, nothing seems out of place. That is, until they pull into Nicky’s large country home. That’s when things begin to feel strange.
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Haley Z. Boston, the creator of the show, knows how to set up the first episode and keep it tight enough to draw you in and hold your attention till the very end. The couple’s charming dynamic soon gives way to an unsettling feeling that something terrible is about to happen, within minutes of the first episode. Clues such as the body of a dead fox or a card addressed to Rachel that reads, “Don’t marry him,” steadily build tension and drama.
When we meet Nicky’s immediate family — his mother Victoria (Jennifer Jason Leigh), his sharp-tongued sister Portia (Gus Birney), and other members — it becomes clear that this is no ordinary household. The series does lean on familiar tropes: a constant sense of lurking danger, the lore of a mysterious “sorry man” in the woods connected to the family, and elements of witchcraft and the supernatural.
At its core, the show thrives on dread and an eerie atmosphere that effectively drives the story forward. The cast is stellar, with each performance adding to the show’s pull. Camila Morrone, who anchors the drama, is the standout. Her portrayal of fear and vulnerability makes Rachel instantly compelling. However, the flashbacks and subplots leading up to the climax could have been stronger.
“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is a solid thriller that stays true to its genre and delivers effective twists. If you enjoy dark, unpredictable shows with a strong cast, this makes for a terrific weekend binge.
The show is currently streaming on Netflix India.
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