“Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” marks the first new Netflix show backed by the Duffer Brothers since “Stranger Things,” premiering today with a strong early critical response.
The eight-episode horror miniseries, created by Haley Z. Boston, quickly drew attention for its unsettling premise and its debut Rotten Tomatoes score, which, within hours of its release, is already pulling ahead of that of “Stranger Things” season five.
A New Chapter After ‘Stranger Things’
Rather than returning to familiar supernatural territory, the Duffer Brothers take on a supporting creative role here as executive producers, with Boston leading the series as creator and showrunner. The project was ordered by Netflix in mid-2024, signaling an early move by the streaming platform to extend its collaboration with the filmmakers beyond their flagship production.
The story centers on Rachel and Nicky, played by Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco, an engaged couple whose wedding week spirals into something far more ominous. Set over the days leading up to the ceremony, the narrative builds tension through a mix of psychological dread and relationship drama, anchoring its horror in the uncertainty surrounding commitment and trust.
The cast expands that dynamic through a family ensemble that includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ted Levine, and Gus Birney, among others, creating a wider emotional and generational backdrop for the central couple’s unraveling situation. Across its eight episodes, multiple directors contribute to the tone, with Weronika Tofilska overseeing half the season alongside Axelle Carolyn and Lisa Brühlmann.
The series arrives as a complete limited story, with all eight episodes released simultaneously. Early reviews have been broadly positive, with “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” opening at 83% on Rotten Tomatoes from 12 critics and already beginning to edge past “Stranger Things” season five, which holds 82% based on 161 reviews.
For Netflix, the show represents both continuity and transition, maintaining ties to one of its most recognizable creative partnerships while introducing a new voice in Boston. For the Duffers, it signals the beginning of their post “Stranger Things era,” one that appears to lean further into character-driven horror rather than franchise-building spectacle.
