A comedy series withEmma Stoneabout the chaotic production of a reality show for house renovations? That sounds like funny series entertainment at first. But far from it: The Curse is a masterpiece of awkwardness and one of the strangest series of the year. From November 11th on Paramount+* you can see it for yourself – if you dare.
Series highlight with Emma Stone: What is The Curse?
One look at the creators behind the camera reveals that The Curse is no ordinary comedy series. The project was created byBenny SafdieandNathan Fielder. While Safdie and his brother made unpleasantly stressful films such as the Netflix thriller The Black Diamond, Nathan Fielder is responsible for one of the best and most disturbing series of the past year: The Rehearsal.
Watch the German trailer for The Curse here:
But what is The Curse about anyway?The plot follows Asher (Nathan Fielder) and Whitney (Emma Stone), a couple who have been married for a year. They want to promote the community of Espanola, New Mexico, which is mainly inhabited by socially disadvantaged people of color, by buying up land and building modern, artistic and energy-efficient properties on it. Together with TV producer Dougie (Benny Safdie), they want to present their commitment to the world in the reality show “Fliplantrophy.”
But what does this have to do with a curse?In the course of filming, the couple never miss an opportunity, however shameless, to present themselves as do-gooders. For example, Asher hands a girl selling drinks in a parking lot 100 dollars on camera. When the camera is off again, he demands the money back, which little Nala doesn’t like at all. She curses him without further ado. Whether real or not, the couple’s life descends into chaos
They deserve it. From the very beginning, The Curse exposes the staged generosity of Whitney and Asher. Their perfect marriage, their personalities and their painfully branded smiles are –like the mirror facade of their grotesque sci-fi home– just a distorted self-image that distracts (themselves) from their own character.
But good will does not make a good person. Just like believing you’ve been cursed doesn’t make a curse real. Or perhaps it does?
An extraordinary series experience on the edge of the bearable
If you’re looking for a gripping plot and laugh-out-loud jokes, you won’t be happy with The Curse. The series is much more cringe comedy that crosses yourpain thresholds
with experimental and unusual storytelling.
(Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone in The Cruse)
Whitney and Asher are so overtly friendly and politically correct it hurts. And when they invade the lives of people who clearly don’t want them to as white saviors, The Curse underpins the cringe factor with uncomfortable truths and deeper messages.
Whether it’s unexpected outbursts of rage, micropenis conversations,Emma Stone’s uncomfortably contorted permanent grinor a problematic burn victim dating show, The Curse never misses an opportunity to extract the maximum amount of awkwardness and embarrassment from every scene.
The Curse is an unforgettable series nightmare
The production plays a big part in this. The Curse blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction with voyeuristic images. With the aesthetics of a hidden camera, we are always looking from a distance – whether through window panes or bushes – at moments that are not intended for our eyes and ears.
Thanks to the staging, music and acting, an almost unbearable andunpleasant atmosphere develops that threatens to tip over into the horror genre at any moment
For some viewers, this is certainly too much. However, those who bravely face the 10 one-hour (!) episodes will be rewarded with a unique and physical series experience that you won’t soon forget – just like the completely wacky WTF finale, which is subject to the greatest secrecy until it airs.
The 10-episode miniseries The Curse has been released weekly on Paramount+ since November 11, 2023. The complete season served as the basis for this series review.
