An anthology of mediocre horror shorts by various directors. It’s never terrible but quite a mixed bag. Although the series is putting emphasis on who directed each episode, it’s hard to tell the styles apart. You can obviously notice Cosmastos’ episode but the rest is pretty generic. The third and seventh episodes are the only ones worth watching; although the second and fourth were not bad either.
What a season!! I enjoyed it a lot! Very well crafted :clap:
Good showing. From all the different styles and types of story presented, I think only 'The Viewing' didn't really grab my attention. 'Lot 36' and 'The Autopsy' stood out but the other ones have merits as well.
Episodes 1 and 7 are the only ones worth watching.
Episodes quality is very variable. Well, not in the production, they're all well made, very high production value, nothing is ever bad. Acting, filming, visual style, atmosphere, everything is mastered, from good to amazing. The only variable comes from the stories, some can be very compelling but several are way too stretched out and could have been done in half the time.
From worst to best:
Bad (Still well made, but does not bring anything really interesting)
- 1x04 The Outside Boring. Already seen subject. Very stretched out without any progression. Lots of details make no sense.
- 1x08 The Murmuring Long for a basic ghost story. Good treatment of couple grief though.
Average (Better story, weirder and more visual effects, both are adaptation of Lovecraft)
- 1x05 Pickman's Model Interestingly disturbing. Way too stretched out from the original material. Nice ending.
- 1x06 Dreams in the Witch House Less interesting but the stretched out parts were filled in a better way.
OK
- 1x02 Graveyard Rats Great style. Fun character and acting. Story is a bit limited.
Good
- 1x01 Lot 36 Great concept. Could make a whole show around it.
Great
- 1x07 The Viewing More original and controversial. Great atmosphere and building up.
Amazing
- 1x03 The Autopsy Idea; storytelling, character, ending, everything is good.
The first half of the series is just mind blowing the rest were average.
Horror Anthology? More like gross / disgust anthology! Does just showing disgusting gross stuff pass as horror these days? (Only 6, 8 didn't rely on grossness.) Not a single episode made me feel horror.
I really loved the first season of Cabinet of Curiosities! This was a terrific delight to catch during the Halloween season and boy do I hope del Toro gets to assemble another group of horror filmmakers to make another batch of episodes. My favourites were definitely The Murmuring, The Viewing, The Autopsy and Lot 36. The others had their moments but weren't as great. Lot 36 and The Autopsy definitely felt like they were written in the same vein as other horror anthology shows like Tales from the Crypt while The Viewing felt like Panos Cosmatos making his own thing which I wished some of the other directors did. Either way, loads of fun. I want more!
My ranking of the episodes
4
3
5
6
2
8
1
7
Total slog held together only by solid practical effects. The writing and directing were incredibly weak and much of the acting was cringeworthy. Worst of all, most of the episodes were drawn out, boring and clearly padded for screentime. A far cry from even the weaker twilight zone or outer limits episodes that felt often like a ham-fisted parody. Totally cancellable.
Shout by masa0922VIP 5BlockedParent2022-11-04T17:38:21Z
Episodes ranking:
3
1
7
2
8
4
5
6