The opening shot of Whitney and Asher Siegel’s awkward home renovation show within The Curse sets the tone: a chaotic, cringe-worthy mess that’s impossible to look away from. Created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, this Showtime series stars Emma Stone as Whitney and Fielder himself as her husband, Asher, navigating marriage, parenthood, and gentrification in Minneapolis. The show is a bizarre, unsettling hybrid of comedy and drama, blending the absurdity of Barry with the social satire of Atlanta.

What works best about The Curse is its willingness to linger in discomfort. The series doesn’t just dabble in awkwardness—it wallows in it, stretching scenes to an almost unbearable length, like a dinner party where everyone has run out of things to say but refuses to leave. Emma Stone delivers a performance that’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, embodying Whitney’s performative optimism with a manic energy that feels both genuine and performative. Fielder, meanwhile, plays Asher as a walking bundle of neuroses, his deadpan delivery making even the most mundane interactions feel fraught with tension.

The show’s true strength lies in its willingness to tackle heavy themes without losing sight of its absurdity. Episodes explore gentrification, racism, and white saviorism with a bluntness that’s both refreshing and unsettling. The supporting cast—particularly Barkhad Abdi as Whitney’s disillusioned cameraman and Benny Safdie as her sleazy producer—add depth to the series, grounding its surreal moments in emotional truth.

But The Curse isn’t without its flaws. The pacing is deliberate to a fault, with scenes dragging on so long that they risk testing viewers’ patience. Some episodes feel more like extended skits than cohesive storytelling, and while the show’s commitment to its bizarre tone is admirable, it occasionally tips into self-indulgence. The finale, in particular, leaves some loose ends unresolved, which may frustrate audiences looking for a cleaner payoff.

Ultimately, The Curse is a bold, unsettling experiment that rewards patience. It’s not for everyone—those seeking traditional comedy or drama will likely be put off by its tonal whiplash and meandering structure.

Tags: comedies, Emma Stone, Benny Safdie, Nathan Fielder, The Curse