“The Curse” lives up to the expectations of edginess and intelligence that come with its creators, Nathan Fielder, known for his experimental work on “The Rehearsal,” and actor and independent filmmaker Benny Safdie, who stars alongside Emma Stone. Ostensibly a satire about a married couple producing a home improvement pilot in Española, New Mexico, this series delves fascinatingly into the complexities of television, relationships, privilege, and trust. His wry humor punctuates the narrative, providing moments of levity in an intentionally off-kilter story.
Fielder and Stone play Asher and Whitney Siegel, who aspire to become the next household names in home improvement, similar to Chip and Joanna Gaines. Their program, “Philanthropy,” is designed not only to bring them fame but also to create jobs and green housing solutions for a community struggling with unemployment and gentrification.
Creators: Jim Cooper, Jeff Dixon
Stars: Rhys Darby, James Marsters, Gabrielle Nevaeh
The first three episodes, presented at the New York Film Festival, venture beyond this premise, delving into the artificiality of television, interpersonal duplicity, white privilege, and trust issues, all while maintaining a subversive sense of humor. “The Curse” is the kind of comedy that surprises viewers, providing fun distractions from its deliberately unconventional narrative.
This tone aligns with Fielder's disconcerting meta approach, as seen in "The Rehearsal," where he walked people through rehearsals for future events, raising speculation about whether the individuals involved were actors. Ambiguity is a central theme, and Asher, a classic Fielder character, embodies this enigmatic quality. He is a clumsy, downtrodden figure with a hidden streak of anger and callousness.
Whitney, played by Emma Stone, initially appears poised, unflappable and sincere, in stark contrast to Asher's awkward and self-absorbed nature. Yet Stone's performance hints at a synthetic quality to Whitney, whose depths and motivations remain shrouded in mystery. Stone's transition from Hollywood stardom to serious artistic pursuits is evident, as she has three projects at the New York Film Festival alone. Whitney's portrayal of her, along with her roles in “Poor Things” and “Bleat,” displays an enigmatic quality that runs through all three characters.
Benny Safdie, known for his work on gritty independent films like “Uncut Gems,” takes on the role of Dougie, Asher and Whitney's producer. In stark contrast to his typical roles, Dougie, with his disheveled appearance, provides some of the funniest moments of the series. He embodies the worst traits of reality TV, hilariously orchestrating false emotions for a camera-shy contestant.
The series begins with a voyeuristic perspective, observing the lives of those interviewed through mysterious windows and peepholes, establishing a tone that subtly persists throughout subsequent episodes. Several subplots are intertwined, including jokes about small penises, Asher's attempts to gather incriminating evidence at a casino, and the couple's effort to hire a Native American artist as an unpaid consultant without appearing exploitative.
A predominant theme is the notion of a curse. Asher's encounter with a young woman selling soda cans leads to an exchange of $100 for the appearance of philanthropy on camera, but when he withdraws the money, the girl utters a mysterious curse. It is not yet known if this is a TikTok meme or something more sinister.
In the third episode, “The Curse” deepens and darkens. The series questions why Dougie cries and becomes more aware of racial issues, prejudice and condescension. Initial unease over the depiction of Native Americans and the curse of a child gives way to a heated argument about race between Asher and Whitney. Regardless of the direction of the next seven episodes, “The Curse” has already established itself as one of the most intricately crafted and brilliantly acted shows of the year.
Watch Curses 2023 Tv Series Trailer
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