A Gory Wedding Finale: Unpacking the Shocking Climax of “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen”
The highly anticipated finale of “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” certainly lived up to its ominous title, delivering a spectacle of shocking events that left viewers reeling. The eighth and final episode plunged headfirst into the blood-soaked nuptials of Nicky and Rachel, a moment explored in detail through an exclusive interview with the show’s creator, Hayley Z. Boston. For those who haven’t yet witnessed the dramatic conclusion, consider this your official spoiler alert.
From the outset, the series telegraphed its intentions. An early flash-forward offered a tantalising glimpse of the wedding, initially appearing idyllic. However, this serene facade shattered as Rachel began experiencing disturbing visions of blood-filled corridors within the wedding venue, a stark premonition of the horror to come.
“The show was always going to start with something shocking,” Boston explained. “I think that’s a way to get audiences on board. The title does a lot for this show. I’m telling you up front that you can expect something horrifying.”
The catastrophic turn of events was triggered when Nicky, standing at the altar, had a sudden change of heart, questioning the necessity of his marriage to Rachel. This decision, however, came with a dire consequence: a curse that threatened to afflict his entire bloodline.
As dusk settled, the wedding guests transformed from joyous celebrants into victims, their revelry replaced by a horrifying outpouring of lifeblood. Overcome with regret, Nicky resolved to proceed with the ceremony, even as Rachel grappled with the injustice of potentially sacrificing herself for his family’s fate. Their union, tragically delayed, proved too late, with Rachel succumbing to a severe haemorrhage from her nose and eye.
The Allure of the Soulmate Potion
Earlier in the finale, Rachel contemplated a mystical potion designed to ensure Nicky was her destined soulmate, thereby guaranteeing his safety from the curse. However, she ultimately chose to place her trust in their existing relationship, foregoing the enchanted draught.
Boston revealed her reservations about intertwining the soulmate concoction with the curse’s mythology. This internal conflict led to Rachel’s decision to abstain from the “funky-looking flute,” inadvertently setting the stage for the impending, blood-drenched festivities. “The show, I think, is quite emotionally grounded,” Boston commented. “Although the ending goes into this crazy supernatural place, I didn’t want too much of the show prior to that to feel that way, so that you continue to buy in.”
The Genesis of a Bloody Vision
The image of a woman spontaneously bleeding to death at the altar was the foundational concept that sparked the entire series for creator Boston. This striking visual, a catalyst for her creative process, was meticulously developed through a series of self-penned emails.
“I was 27 and watching a bunch of friends get married, take that leap into the next stage of life and confronted with my own fear of commitment,” Boston shared. “A lot of that comes from the fact that my parents have this great marriage and my mum said to me when I was a kid, ‘Make sure you marry the right person.’ That put a lot of pressure on me, so I was thinking a lot about what makes people right for each other and this image came to me of a woman spontaneously bleeding to death at the altar. That is where it started and it went from there.”
The development of Rachel’s emotional arc and the integration of the curse were further informed by cinematic influences such as “Carrie,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”
“Those movies follow women going through these big life changes and use the genre to externalise what they’re going through internally, which was exciting to me, and how I wanted to approach this story,” Boston elaborated.
A Wedding Party’s Fatal Downfall
Initial concepts for “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” explored the wedding of Nicky’s sister, Portia, and envisioned the altar-bleeding phenomenon escalating into a global crisis, a concept Boston likened to the supernatural HBO series “The Leftovers.”
“I just knew that it was going to end with a bunch of people spontaneously bleeding to death,” she confessed. “That was the version of the show sold to Netflix. I was thinking about the mythology and the fact that I need to explain why people are bleeding to death, then it morphed more into what it is.” With a wry smile, Boston added, “I never thought the bleeding to death would be too much, and I’m glad that they let me do it.”
Audience Poll: Did You See the Mass Bleed Out Coming?
- God no
- Absolutely
Rachel’s Resurrection and a Romantically Skeptical End
Emerging from her near-death experience, her white wedding dress irrevocably stained, Rachel discovers that the curse has claimed the life of Zlatko Burić’s unnamed character instead. After a quick change and a symbolic discarding of her engagement ring, Rachel drives away from the carnage, seemingly liberated.
This conclusion is likely to resonate with those who approach romance with a degree of skepticism. Boston hopes the finale prompts viewers to reflect on the nature of soulmates. “If I’m telling this story about soulmates, then I obviously have a perspective on it,” she stated. “For me, what makes two people right for each other is that they see each other.” This sentiment is echoed in the survival of characters like Jules and Nell, who possess a clear understanding of each other.
The writers’ room debated Rachel’s decision to prioritise her own survival, acknowledging its “morally questionable” nature. “She’s condemning all these people to death and the argument was, well, she doesn’t owe them anything,” Boston explained. “Why should she sacrifice herself for these people? I hope that you’re still rooting for Rachel at the end, but I’m also open to people deciding she made the wrong decision and debating that.”
Boston hopes that the show’s satirical take on romance will encourage introspection among couples. “You watch the show with your partner, and maybe you get into a conversation that illuminates some things in your relationship that you didn’t see before. That’s my hope.” She concluded by reiterating her belief, woven into the narrative, that true connection stems from mutual recognition: “Maybe you get into a conversation about if you agree that that’s what makes people right for each other.”
“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
