Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen (review)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 16 April 2026

Netflix’s new horror series, produced by The Duffer Brothers, remains tight-lipped and intriguing.

The series follows Rachel and Nicky on the week of their wedding, though Rachel has this awful feeling that something very bad is going to happen.

Naturally, there is a sense of foreboding. Among the tense atmosphere, there is a mix of jumpscares and spooky moments throughout, such as Rachel and Nicky’s disturbing experience at the rest stop, the haunting Sorry Man tale, the creepy burning effigy hanging in the woods, Boris sickeningly taxidermying the dog, Jude finding Rachel’s dad, Rachel’s parents’ chilling close encounter with the sinister custard magnate serial killer, the gruesome circumstances surrounding Rachel’s birth, Rachel having her toe stomach-wrenchingly amputated and making the disgusting concoction to break the curse.

Episode 4 proves to be a pivotal driving force in the story as the series takes a supernatural turn and switches to the theme of fate as it is revealed that Rachel has inherited a generational curse and must marry her soulmate. This theme is further explored when it is cleverly revealed that the story of how Rachel and Nicky met may not be all it seems, as well as the recurring use of the song You Are My Destiny.

In the finale, there is an epic and cinematic bloodbath as the curse spreads to Nicky’s bloodline and kills everyone who doesn’t believe their spouse is their soulmate. Amid the gory chaos, there is a sweet moment as Jules survives, meaning that he believes that Nellie is his soulmate despite their turbulent marriage and divorce plans. The series ends with Rachel driving off alone, cursed to become the new witness yet ironically feeling free.

The logistics of the curse prove to be more complicated than initially believed to be as various scenarios can be questioned. It feels like a ridiculous coincidence that a young Jules would just so happen to witness the birth of his future sister-in-law and it seems far-fetched that Rachel would go to all the trouble she does only to abandon the drink and rely on her faith that Nicky is her soulmate, though both can be excused as they link to the overarching theme of fate. Despite this, there is no way Rachel would be able to have sex and walk down the aisle so soon after having her toe cut off.

However, the recurring motif of a fox, representing how Rachel is feeling at different stages of the week, is a nice touch.

Despite some minor shortcomings, the series ultimately delivers a truly terrifying horror story.

8/10