Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen Balances Eerie Atmosphere with Uneven Execution
Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen lives up to its name in spades. In fact, many bad things happen. It follows an engaged couple Rachel and Nicky, played by Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco, during the week leading up to the wedding. But, as they arrive at his family’s lavish summer “cabin” for their nuptials, a sense of dread quickly sets in. Spoilers ahead.
The soon-to-be bride and groom couldn’t be more different. Nicky is the baby of his wealthy family and treated that way, while Rachel is paranoid and constantly on edge. While they may appear solid, you can’t help but see the divide in their thinking, whether it’s Nicky brushing off concerns that they’ll have “haunted” children or Rachel’s surprise at the mansion his family’s cabin turns out to being.
The series leans into an eerie, disturbing atmosphere with creepy red herrings, bad omens, warped visuals, and splatters of gore. Between a local frozen custard shop tied to a psychotic killer and the legend of a bride murderer known as The Sorry Man, it’s easy to see why Rachel spirals into believing Nicky’s family is planning a ritualistic murder. Morrone proves to be a compelling horror lead, balancing Rachel’s paranoia, humor, flirtation, and unraveling anxiety with ease.
But Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen wastes the potential of its eight-episode runtime. The slow-burn tension makes it feel like they’re trying to stretch out a story that should’ve just been a movie. Nicky never truly understands Rachel and the Cunningham family remains underdeveloped. His sister Portia (Gus Birney) hides cruelty behind humor and the marriage he idolizes in his parents is a sham. As the episodes progress, it’s hard to see why Rachel would bother risking everything for this family.
Halfway through the season, a surprising twist reveals it’s actually Rachel bringing the bad vibes to the Cunningham family. Through flashbacks of Rachel’s late mother, played by modern-day horror icon Victoria Pedretti, the truth is revealed. Pedretti’s presence adds credibility to the show and finally sets the story in motion. Sure, Rachel loves Nicky, but this new revelation puts the stakes at an all-time high: would you bet your life that the person you’re about to marry is your soulmate? When Rachel can’t even talk to Nicky about this dilemma, that’s when the final nail in the coffin hit for me and I felt they weren’t meant to be. As for what actually happens, you’ll have to binge to find out.
At its core, Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen wrestles with themes of marital commitment, generational trauma, and the fear of choosing the wrong partner. Is it about fate, or just making a decision? It may not be the perfect execution, but it’s intriguing enough to keep you watching until the bloody end. Rachel knew something was off… and maybe that’s the real lesson: always listen to your gut.
Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen is streaming now on Netflix.
