Emma Stone, one of the most acclaimed movie stars of today, delivers a striking performance in the psychological thriller series, The Curse, which has remained largely under the radar. The 37-year-old actress, often referred to as the millennial Meryl Streep, holds seven Academy Award nominations, making her the youngest woman to achieve this feat, with two wins. Her most recent nomination came for Bugonia, directed by Yorgo Lanthimos, marking their fourth collaboration.
Despite Stone’s impressive film career, her television work—including the 2018 Netflix miniseries Maniac alongside Jonah Hill—has not received the attention it deserves. This trend unfortunately continued with The Curse, launched in 2023, despite its exceptional quality and intense storytelling.
The Plot Behind The Curse’s Dark Satire and Thriller Elements
Developed by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, The Curse follows Asher (Fielder) and Whitney Siegel (Emma Stone), a wealthy millennial couple living in Española, New Mexico, who flip homes to star in Whitney’s eco-friendly TV show, Fliplanthropy. Whitney hopes to get the show on HGTV, but the concept itself feels awkward and performative.
Nathan Fielder, known for his cringe comedy in Nathan for You, infuses The Curse with a tone of uncomfortable satire. The characters’ so-called philanthropy is exposed as superficial, revealing how out of touch they are with their diverse community and, in some ways, exacerbating local tensions. Behind the scenes of their TV series, Asher experiences unsettling events after he retracts a $100 bill from a little girl with cameras rolling, prompting her to place a curse on him.
Though the child’s curse initially seems trivial, it sparks a series of misfortunes for both Asher and Whitney. The couple’s struggles with fertility intensify the narrative’s tension, creating an atmosphere of discomfort that steadily builds across the 10 episodes. The Curse masterfully portrays Asher and Whitney as deeply flawed and toxic, making them impossible to look away from despite their disturbing behavior.
The Unique Tone and Style That Define The Curse
The Curse embraces its oddity entirely. The show’s aesthetic features unsettling elements such as the strange mirrored exteriors of the couple’s eco-friendly passive homes and the frequent use of voyeuristic camera angles placed behind glass, giving viewers an almost intrusive view of intimate moments. This enhances the feeling of discomfort that permeates the series.
The series also pushes boundaries through long, cringe-inducing scenes that amplify awkward or reprehensible conduct. Unlike lighter cringe comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Curse prolongs these moments, deepening the unease and challenging the audience to sit with this discomfort. For some, this approach may be off-putting, but for others, it rewards close attention and patience.
A key tension throughout the series is the ambiguous nature of the curse itself: Is Asher genuinely cursed by supernatural forces, or is his paranoia fueled by the consequences of his own white privilege? The story raises complex questions about guilt, power, and the nature of luck. The series culminates in a wildly unexpected ending that lingers in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll, becoming one of the most bizarre and memorable finales in recent television.
Where to Find and What to Expect From The Curse’s Future
The Curse is available exclusively on Paramount+, home to Showtime’s entire collection of original series. With a concise 10-episode run, it offers a gripping weekend binge for viewers interested in dark, unconventional storytelling. The series also comes from renowned indie production company A24, known for backing distinct and daring projects.
The season finale sparked extensive discussion and speculation about the potential for a second season. Although no official announcement for renewal has been made and the principal cast has moved on to other ventures since the first season concluded over two years ago, a follow-up remains a possibility.
In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone indicated that plans for a continuation have been considered. Fielder disclosed that he had already outlined storylines beyond the initial season but refrained from sharing details to avoid spoilers. This leaves fans with the tantalizing prospect of more from The Curse—assuming the industry and audience are ready to dive back into its unsettling world.
Principal Cast and Creative Team Behind The Curse
The series stars Emma Stone as Whitney Siegel and Nathan Fielder as Asher Siegel. Their dynamic anchors the story’s emotional and psychological complexity, supported by the creative vision of creators Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie. The involvement of these talents, along with A24’s production influence, helps shape the show’s unique blend of dark comedy and psychological tension.
