The Curse
The Curse
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The Curse

"What could go wrong?"

6.4
Yr 2023
Status Ended
Comedy Drama
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

An alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 88 /100

The Curse is widely celebrated by critics as a dizzyingly original and unsettling examination of reality television, gentrification, and the white savior complex. Starring Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie, the series is frequently praised for its brave, off-the-wall performances and its ability to blend cringe-worthy comedy with piercing social commentary. Most reviewers agree that it stands as one of the most unique and unforgettable television offerings of its year.

While the show is often lauded for its complex character studies and genre-bending ambitions, the reaction is not without friction. Some critics noted that the series juggles a multitude of heavy themes, while others expressed significant disappointment with the show's polarizing season finale. Despite these critiques, the consensus remains that the series is a masterclass in discomfort and intellectual provocation.

“An unnerving, erratic, dizzyingly original exploration of the fine line between mitzvah and mishegas.”

“Weird, off-putting, and hard to watch, yet it offers an intensely compelling character study.”

“Densely layered with bizarro comedy, bold set pieces, and pertinent social criticism.”

“An alluring provocation.”

Why fans love it

The 2023 drama-comedy series tackles the uncomfortable intersections of gentrification, performative liberalism, and personal ambition in New Mexico. Centering on a newly married couple attempting to launch a problematic home-improvement television project while trying to start a family, the show turns a sharp, dark spotlight on modern narcissism. Its meta approach to reality TV production creates an atmosphere where good intentions constantly collapse under the weight of ego and commercial interest.

Fans respond to the story's relentless commitment to awkward, satirical tension. The narrative escalates when an alleged curse begins to unspool the couple's personal and professional lives, deeply complicating their relationships with the local Indigenous community. Driven by a standout performance from Nathan Fielder, the series delivers an unusual blend of cringe comedy and psychological drama that picks apart the fictions people construct about themselves.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 11
Longest run 10 eps
Emma Stone
Emma Stone
as Whitney Siegel
10 episodes
Nathan Fielder
Nathan Fielder
as Asher Siegel
10 episodes
Benny Safdie
Benny Safdie
as Dougie Schecter
10 episodes
Constance Shulman
Constance Shulman
as Elizabeth
3 episodes
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
as Paul
4 episodes
Barkhad Abdi
Barkhad Abdi
as Abshir
6 episodes
Gary Farmer
Gary Farmer
as James Toledo
3 episodes
Oscar Avila
Oscar Avila
as Remi
6 episodes
Show 67 more
Tessa Mentus as Monica Perez 3 episodes Joshua Caleb Horton as Todd Lobo 1 episode Emma Burnside as Australian Barista 1 episode Timothy de León as Alejandro 1 episode Hans Christopher as David Burn 1 episode Jesus Banuelos as Father Manny 1 episode Dan Cortese as Dan Cortese 1 episode Marcus LaVoi as Wandall 1 episode Nizhonniya Austin as Cara Durand 5 episodes Edward Martinez as Freckle 5 episodes David DeLao as Bill 3 episodes Tiff Abreu as Jambo Server 1 episode Adrianne Chalepah as Laura 1 episode Ramona DuBarry as Dr. Jensen 1 episode Elizabeth Katz Sperlich as Marjorie 2 episodes Marco Fuller as Art Patron #1 1 episode Ryan Rox as Gallery Assistant 1 episode Dashika Wijegooneratne as Art Patron #3 1 episode Ricardo Aguilar as Casino Dealer 1 episode Diana Navarrete as Maria 1 episode Leo Rodriguez as Leo (Neighbor) 1 episode Ethan Woodall as Kalvin 1 episode Kathryn Price Garson as Kalvin's Mom 1 episode Hikmah Warsame as Nala 6 episodes Dahabo Ahmed as Hani 4 episodes Sidni as Luisa 5 episodes Doug Montoya as Jeff Robinson 2 episodes Christopher D. Calderon as Fernando 6 episodes Eric Petersen as Dennis 1 episode Nikki Dixon as Lucinda 1 episode D.J. Arvizo as Jose 4 episodes Samantha Ashley as Tonya 5 episodes Dean Cain as Mark Rose 1 episode Aliyah Lee as Janice 3 episodes Rosie B. Molina as Enola 2 episodes Jose Rivera as Van PA 2 episodes Christopher Luciano Rael as Officer #1 1 episode Akiko Stacy as Winona 1 episode Alexander Adrian Gibson as Pascal 3 episodes Freddy Martinez as Martinez 2 episodes Aspen Martinez as Josie 2 episodes Tara Levine as Auction Bidder #1 1 episode Walter Anaruk as Focus Group Moderator 1 episode Diana Gaitirira as Focus Group Member #1 1 episode Guia Peel as Focus Group Member #3 1 episode Carl Bailey as Focus Group Member #4 1 episode Audrey Morrison as Focus Group Member #5 1 episode Teagan Ireland as Stephanie 2 episodes Greg Fernandez as Gym Teacher 1 episode Martin Patterson as Conwin 1 episode Vincent Pastore as Vincent Pastore 1 episode Rachael Ray as Rachael Ray 1 episode Paul Blott as Dr. Brown 2 episodes Elliot Berlin as Moses 1 episode David Alexander as Diego 1 episode Neil Antonio as Construction Worker 1 episode Jodie Esquibel as Firefighter #2 1 episode Alexander Suazo as Firefighter #3 2 episodes Jody M. Archuleta as Neighbor #1 1 episode Telesfor J. Montoya as Neighbor #2 1 episode Debbie Salazar as Confused Neighbor #1 1 episode Benjamin Sandoval as Confused Neighbor #2 1 episode Glen Curtis as Confused Neighbor #3 1 episode GiGi Erneta as Martha 2 episodes W. Brad Jarman as Comedy Student #1 2 episodes Michael Pridham as Chiropractor 2 episodes Alexander Poncio as Vic 3 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Key Hair Stylist
Kerry Mendenhall
Executive Producer
Ali Herting Dave McCary Nathan Fielder Josh Safdie
Post Production Coordinator
Christopher Guzman
Stunts
Joanna Bennett
Graphic Designer
Liz Buckler
Second Assistant "A" Camera
Edgar Gonzalez
Key Makeup Artist
Siobhan Carmody
Script Coordinator
Anna Lockhart
Chief Lighting Technician
Waylon Brady
First Assistant "B" Camera
Liza Bambenek
Producer
Inman Young
"B" Camera Operator
Jonathan Mitchell
Director
David Zellner Nathan Fielder
Hair Department Head
Ahou Mofid
Key Costumer
Meriwether Nichols
Creator
Nathan Fielder Benny Safdie
Makeup Department Head
Svetlana Britt
Production Design
Katie Byron
Post Production Supervisor
Marissa Cattel
Second Assistant Director
David Tierney Lerner
"A" Camera Operator
Christopher Bottoms
First Assistant "A" Camera
Glenn Kaplan
First Assistant Director
Nicolas Harvard
Property Master
Carma Harvey
Co-Executive Producer
Carrie Kemper
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Curse overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

new mexico married couple narcissism satire curse liberal gentrification indigenous community meta show within a show dark comedy
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
November 12, 2023
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
171