Netflix has unveiled a chilling first glimpse at a highly anticipated new horror thriller from the celebrated creators behind the global phenomenon Stranger Things. The streaming giant has shared sinister details about the upcoming series, titled Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, which promises to deliver what showrunner Haley Z. Boston describes as "unsettling, getting-under-your-skin dread."
A Sinister Premise from Acclaimed Creators
The creative duo, Matt and Ross Duffer, who rose to international fame with the runaway success of Stranger Things in 2016, are executive producing this new project. The series is set to plunge viewers into the tense atmosphere of a "spine-tingling and - ultimately - doomed wedding," exploring deep-seated fears around commitment and matrimony.
Showrunner Haley Z. Boston has emphasised a character-driven approach, a hallmark of Stranger Things' appeal, infused with a pervasive sense of horror. "I love to explore characters," Boston explained. "I think sometimes that’s lacking in the horror genre. My natural approach is from a place of character and dialogue and humour and then infusing that with unsettling horror."
An All-Star Cast and Production Team
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, drawing talent from several acclaimed productions. Camila Morrone (The Night Manager) takes on the role of Rachel, the bride, while Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) portrays the groom, Nicky. They are joined by Jennifer Jason Leigh (Fargo) as Victoria and Ted Levine as Boris.
Further rounding out the cast are Gus Birney as Portia, Jeff Wilbusch as Jules, and Karla Crome as Nell. The behind-the-scenes talent is equally formidable, with directors including Weronika Tofilska (Emmy-nominated for Baby Reindeer), Axelle Carolyn (The Haunting of Bly Manor), and Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve) attached to helm episodes.
Inspiration and Thematic Depth
Boston revealed that the series' core theme—the fear of marrying the wrong person—was inspired by personal reflections and observations. "When I was a kid, my mom said to me, 'You just need to make sure you don’t marry the wrong person,'" she shared. "The show is about that fear."
She further elaborated on her love for the horror genre as a vehicle for exploring complex emotions. "I love horror. It’s natural to me, [it’s how] I process my own emotions and feelings and my own understanding of the world. I think horror allows you to explore taboo feelings and take all of these fears and give them some bite."
The tone of the series has been likened to a blend of classic horror influences, falling somewhere between the styles of Carrie and Rosemary’s Baby. As bride and groom Rachel and Nicky prepare to say "I do," they grapple with their personal anxieties about commitment, only to be confronted by a "deliciously fresh horror twist" that promises to upend their wedding day entirely.
Release and Anticipation
Produced in collaboration with Stranger Things producer Hilary Leavitt and Andrea Sperling (A Murder at the End of the World), Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on March 26. The announcement has generated significant buzz among fans of the genre and followers of The Duffer Brothers' work, marking a major new entry into Netflix's original horror programming.
