New Netflix Horror Series Garners Rave Reviews, Dubbed “One of the Best of All Time”
A chilling new horror miniseries on Netflix has stormed onto the platform, earning an impressive 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and sparking widespread critical acclaim. Titled Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, the series, executive produced by the acclaimed Duffer Brothers of Stranger Things fame and created by Haley Z. Boston, premiered on March 26th.
The show centres on an engaged couple, Rachel and Nicky, portrayed by Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco respectively. Their upcoming nuptials are thrust into jeopardy as they confront a harrowing obstacle, plunging viewers into a world of intense dread and psychological terror. Critics have lauded the series for its raw and powerful performances, with one reviewer noting, “Honestly, the acting is just on another level, it’s so raw and actually makes you feel everything the characters are going through.”
The overall atmosphere of the series has been particularly praised, with descriptions highlighting “a constant sense of dread that you can practically feel in every single scene.” Dani Odom from Screen Rant declared it “as one of the best Netflix horror shows of all time,” a sentiment echoed by Karina Adelgaard of Heaven of Horror, who remarked, “You know a show is good when you find yourself almost mourning the fact that you can never rewatch it again for the FIRST time.”
The compelling cast also features Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Jason Leigh as Victoria, Nicky’s mother, and Ted Levine, known for his role as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs, as Nicky’s father, Boris. Their presence adds further gravitas to the already star-studded production.
Korean Crime Thriller “Queen Mantis” Delivers Nightmarish Suspense
In other gripping Netflix news, a terrifying crime thriller has been rapidly climbing the platform’s charts, leaving viewers captivated and disturbed. Queen Mantis, a Korean drama, follows a determined policeman on a relentless mission to apprehend a copycat killer who is emulating his notorious serial killer mother.
The series stars Ko Hyun-jung as the original killer and Jang Dong-yoon as her son, who is also the officer tasked with tracking down his mother’s admirer. Since its release, Queen Mantis has been a massive hit, securing a spot in the top ten most-watched non-English shows on Netflix and drawing an impressive 1.3 million viewers in its inaugural week.
While celebrated for its strong acting, compelling dialogue, and captivating plot, Queen Mantis is decidedly not for the faint of heart. Viewers have taken to social media to share their reactions, with many branding the series “nightmarish” and discussing its impact on their sleep. One fan shared, “I am so into this show! I have been waiting all week. A part of me is a little frightened of what kind of nightmares this show is going to inspire and ruin my weekend restorative sleep, but eh… what the heck. Sacrifices must be made!” Another viewer admitted, “Absolutely, I should not be watching this show (because of night terrors) but I am so hooked. The sacrifices we make…”
Praise for the cast’s performances has been effusive, with one user highlighting, “10/10 for episode 3. Tremendous acting from both mother and son.” The sentiment was echoed by another who commented, “I’ve been loving the first few episodes, and I hope they can keep up the pace of this!” The series’ synopsis perfectly encapsulates its dark premise: “To stop a copycat criminal, a cop must work with the serial killer behind the original murders – his mother who he’s spent his life trying to forget.”
“Tell Me Your Name”: Spanish Series Unearths Ancient Nightmares
Adding to Netflix’s slate of unsettling content is a Spanish series that has released all six of its terrifying episodes for binge-watching. Tell Me Your Name, originally titled Dime Tu Nombre, transports viewers to the small strawberry-farming town of Fuensanta in Murcia, Spain.
The narrative unfolds in 1997, following the arrival of a group of Moroccan seasonal workers who settle in a nearby abandoned village. This influx of new residents soon unearths a series of ancient nightmares and a pervasive darkness that begins to spread throughout the town. The series intricately weaves together cultural conflict and supernatural terrors, focusing on the efforts of NGO leader Sonia, played by Michelle Jenner, and local priest Father Ángel, portrayed by Argentinian star Dario Grandinetti, as they attempt to navigate the escalating tensions between communities.
The synopsis teases a complex web of events: “Toledo, Spain, 1997. The residents of Río Blanco have accepted the settlement of Moroccan seasonal workers in Fuensanta. ‘Coexistence brings tensions, known by Sonia, an NGO leader; Father Ángel, the local priest; and Safir, the Imam. ‘What they don’t imagine is that Fuensanta’s foundations hide something capable of unleashing their worst nightmares, regardless of their beliefs or prayers.'” Younes Bouab stars as Safir, the Imam, rounding out a compelling central trio.
Behind the scenes, the series boasts the production prowess of Skybound Entertainment, the company responsible for the global phenomenon The Walking Dead, promising a high-quality and immersive viewing experience. Tell Me Your Name initially premiered on Halloween and has since seen all its episodes released, quickly garnering positive feedback from fans.
Reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes have praised its compelling storyline and effective creature design, with one viewer stating, “After a long time I’ve watched a horror show with a good story line, great messaging and creature building.” On IMDb, the series has been lauded as “Excellent series with great performances from all the actors; interesting temporal context in the series that reviews different moments in time; religion; terror and entertainment – a pleasant surprise.”
