Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surreal black comedy is a wild ride for mature viewers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Curse
What's the Story?
Written by Nathan Fielder (Nathan for You) and Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer), THE CURSE tells the story of Asher (Fielder) and Whitney Siegel (Emma Stone), a married couple intent on flipping houses in the tiny New Mexico town of Española. Their plan is to convert each house into an eco-friendly home certified by the Passive House Society in Germany while simultaneously bringing new wealth to the struggling residents of the town and filming a reality show called Fliplanthropy to document it all, helmed by Dougie (Safdie), a gonzo filmmaker with problems of his own.
Is It Any Good?
The title of this show is a fine metaphor for its unique and often cringey charms: Just who's cursed and who's cursing the troubled New Mexico town in which it's set? The Siegels believe they can be a force of good for Española; they're never happier than when they're allowed to bloviate on how they can bring jobs and new wealth to the town's downtrodden citizens while respecting their Indigenous roots, supporting local artists, and advocating for environmentally neutral architecture. But as we meet Española's residents, a different picture emerges: They're bewildered by the Siegels and their plans, rightfully concerned that rising rents will push them out of their hometown, and uninterested in their assigned role as smiling background players in the Siegel's self-congratulatory reality TV house-flipping show.
Things get messier as we understand just how dysfunctional the Siegels' marriage is, how complicated Asher's relationship is with his childhood bully/adult frenemy Dougie, and how Whitney's background as the daughter of notorious local slumlords contributes to both the Siegels' ambitions and foibles. Watching that all play out against the background of a town with marginalized citizens is often scathing; though there are many sharp chuckles thanks to Safdie and Fielder's smart script, this is one show that might be more fun to pick apart after watching than to actually watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the tone of this series, which veers back and forth from comedy to horror. What do you think the creators of this show wanted people to feel while watching? How do you feel?
The Curse often shows the intent of a scene with prominent music. At what moments in the show did the music change, cueing you that something funny, awkward, or scary was about to happen?
The lead actors of this show are all famous from other projects. What expectations did you have before watching, given that Fielder was known for making cringe comedies, Safdie for tense dramas, and Stone for giving performances that veer from comedic to intense?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 12, 2023
- Cast : Nathan Fielder , Emma Stone , Benny Safdie
- Network : Showtime
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 29, 2023
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