Analysis - Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen: A party that can become a wake

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen was announced by Netflix with a trailer that immediately revealed very little about the series' premise, which can be seen as both a positive and a negative. For thriller enthusiasts, this is a win; for more impatient viewers, it might be a deterrent.

The show was created by Haley Z. Boston and directed by Weronika Tofilska, Lisa Brühlmann, and Axelle Carolyn. Notably, Weronika Tofilska directed four episodes of Baby Reindeer. The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers, and fortunately, they did not involve themselves in the directing or writing here, which is a relief given the horrifyingly bad conclusion of Stranger Things.

The cast includes Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zlatko Burić, Ted Levine, Gus Birney, and Karla Crome.

The story follows a simple premise: Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco) are a couple on the eve of their wedding, traveling to his family's home. It is an isolated residence in the woods intended for an intimate ceremony. However, sinister events begin to unfold as soon as the trip begins, leading Rachel's paranoia and anxiety to make her question if she is marrying the right person.

Beyond the dark atmosphere of the house and the strange relatives who make Rachel and the audience wonder about the family's true intentions, the series presents a discomforting mood through its cinematography, quick cuts, and the constant feeling that something horrible is indeed about to happen within that home surrounded by forest and snow.

However, beyond the surface, there are symbolisms that enrich the series for those interested in the theme. It all starts with the fact that Rachel is studying to become a therapist. This is a great irony because the character carries such significant family trauma that she has become a paranoid individual.

On the other side, we have Nicky, the "perfect" son raised by a narcissistic mother in such a protective bubble that he believes his parents' marriage is flawless and that he will certainly have the same type of union with Rachel.

This raises a question in itself: how can a union of such polar opposites be "perfect"? Nicky is so overprotected that he closes his eyes to reality even when faced with the obvious, just to maintain his idea of "perfection."

Another detail that seems intrinsic to the series is how the themes of marriage and death are linked.

Many of our wedding traditions stem from funeral rites because primitive unions were celebrated that way. This includes the fact that some bridal traditions derive from times when weddings were actually kidnappings, with the groomsmen acting as the abductors. It is common for many brides to cry on their wedding day, as if they instinctively know that the maiden within them is dying so that the wife and future mother can take her place.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense that death is so present around Rachel, and not just psychologically. Early on, it is made clear that this was not the young woman's dream and that she accepted the proposal only to make Nicky happy. Two parts of Rachel are dying psychologically: the maiden and the self that remains silent to satisfy another's will.

To top off all this pressure, she must also deal with several supernatural factors surrounding her as she heads toward a tragic conclusion.

Another strength of the series is how it plays with the idea of a soulmate, initially selling us on the concept of one person being predestined for another.

Does such a person really exist? Did Rachel make the right choice?

To us, it may seem obvious from the start that Nicky is not the perfect match for Rachel. They are total opposites. She desires things he does not share, yet she gives in because she sees sincerity and feels she can trust him.

This is the clever twist of Something Very Bad: it leads us to understand that a soulmate is not someone who fits us perfectly. It is something far beyond similar tastes or personalities. It is about loyalty and trust. It is about wanting to believe that person is right for you even when everything seems to suggest otherwise.

While the show makes us question Rachel's relationship just as she does, it presents us with a couple that is in sync despite their clear imperfections. Jules, Nicky's brother, and his wife Nell, who is Nicky's ex-girlfriend, live in a marriage full of verbal abuse and cruel truths. However, they support and believe in each other. Precisely because they do not hide their flaws or fear honesty, they have chosen to be each other's "soulmate."

There are also multiple perspectives on what makes a marriage work or fail, which are showcased during the rehearsal dinner for Rachel and Nicky.

Dozens of couples share their experiences there, and we are shocked to see that some of these people should never be together. This makes us question the real "secret to happiness" preached by so many couples.

It is no coincidence that a turning point in Rachel's convictions occurs during this very episode.

Giving in at times within a relationship is natural since humility is necessary in any human connection.

However, Rachel's arc depicts how far she was willing to go to give up on herself, even to save Nicky's family. This family, with few exceptions, showed her no respect.

In the final hour, in a desperate act, the young woman sacrifices her physical health so the groom's family won't suffer. She does this because she believed in and trusted Nicky and the love he claimed to feel for her.

Rachel even vocalizes that she is willing to become a submissive woman if it keeps her and her fiancé safe. She claims that Nicky would not become an abusive husband because she knows him and his kindness.

The question is: does she really know him?

Even after discovering that Nicky lied about how they met, and even when he clearly doubts Rachel's fears, she is still willing to sacrifice herself.

How many parallels can we draw from this detail in the series? How many people do we know who are in relationships doomed to fail? These are people who accept giving up their identity, believing that in the end, everything will be fine.

Something Very Bad has another merit: it doesn't drag its feet to get to the point and reveal what is actually happening to Rachel.

At that moment, we might even doubt if the show has enough momentum to keep us interested until the finale. But it has plenty of momentum.

The growing sensation that Rachel won't be able to prevent something bad from happening remains strong until the final chapter, which delivers the falling of all masks and the truths Rachel chose not to see.

The young woman was caught in a trap and, until the last second, we hope she isn't killed while struggling to escape.

I won't spoil the ending, don't worry. I will only say that every second is worth it until the conclusion and the final credits.

Yes, it absolutely is.

I started the series thinking it wouldn't be much, given the trailer didn't explain much. But it hooked me from start to finish.

Whether it is the atmosphere, the well-developed suspense, the highly interesting characters (even the most hateful ones), or the drive to see if something horrible would actually happen.

The eight episodes flew by and I never felt bored. However, it is worth noting that the symbolic factor was what truly kept me engaged.

So, if you enjoy stories that offer more than what is just on the surface, I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

And what about you? Do you have a good sixth sense for getting out when everything suggests something horrible is going to happen, or do you prefer to stay and find out if it was all just in your head?