Cabinet of Curiosities: Ranking Episodes
WARNING: There are spoilers(even if they are minute).
I want to preface this with the admiration I have for Guillermo Del Toro. Del Toro is an incredibly talented filmmaker, one can only strive to come close to the greatness that is he. When this series was first announced, I couldn’t wait. The one thing I loved was the intro that Guillermo did before every episode, he’s a horror host I didn’t know I needed. I was really hoping that he would be directing some of the episodes but I love how other filmmakers and creators were given such a platform to showcase their work. Now let’s get into the nitty gritty details. I feel like I’m constantly ranking horror so let’s put the episodes in order from pass to must-see.
8. The Viewing
Director: Panos Cosmatos
I got about 20 minutes into this one and had to turn it off. There was nothing captivating about this episode. It doesn’t help that I find a couple of the actors annoying in other things I’ve seen them in, so it wasn’t a great start. It doesn’t take too much to intrigue me. You give me a little bit of mystery wrapped in horror and I’m yours. However, this did nothing for me. Really unfortunate but not worth the time I did invest. It is important to note that I didn’t enjoy Mandy and that movie was really slow so being the same director, I can see how the build-up is the most important thing but it just kept me disinterested.
7. The Outside
Director: Ana Lily Amirpour
This episode had so much potential. Right away you knew it was going to be an ugly duckling plot but ultimately the ending was disappointing. It left me with, “that’s it?”. It seemed like so much effort for not a great payoff.
6. Dreams in the Witch House
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
I love me some Rupert Grint and DJ Qualls always knocks it out of the park. The elements were all here for this story but the whole plot itself was just underwhelming.
5. The Murmuring
Director: Jennifer Kent
While this episode was beautiful and tugged at your heartstrings, it wasn’t my cup of tea. It was shot amazingly, the sounds were on point and the story was very well written and thought out. It also had Andrew Lincoln in it, which I’m thrilled to see him in anything new. He always kills the roles he does even when they are vastly different(Mark, Rick and Edgar to name a few). This one was good but it was an interesting choice for the series.
4. Pickman’s Model
Director: Keith Thomas
How does Ben Barnes always end up with roles involving artwork? This episode had the marvelous Crispin Glover in it too, who by the way, is not aging a bit. Glover plays Pickman, an artist reminiscent of Goya. I though this one was very well done. The acting, the story and that spine-tingling feeling.
3. Lot 36
Director: Guillermo Navarro
This episode was really good but I couldn’t help but think of a very similar episode in the Ash vs Evil Dead series. So many things were alike, even down to the wordage used. There could have been things that were touched on more but overall it’s what I had hoped this series would be and got me excited to continue on(since this was episode I).
2. Graveyard Rats
Director: Vincenzo Natali
I was immediately interested in this one when I saw David Hewlett. The period piece for this one was so fitting. This episode was original and it touched on so many things that give you the creeps. It had the creature aspect, the claustrophobic side of things and the don’t fuck with ancient shit lore. This was very well done and entertaining from start to finish.
1. The Autopsy
Director: David Prior
This episode rightfully so, takes the cake in this series. The acting was superb, the story was morbid and bloodcurdling and didn’t leave you with any unanswered questions. The story was unique and the flashbacks were perfectly fused. The cinematography and sfx makeup were exemplary!
Overall, part of the series is worth the watch. Not all of them deliver and I do think a vast majority can be skipped. My expectations were high for this but you know what they say about expectations. If there is a Season II to Cabinet of Curiosities, would I watch? 100% because I know there would be some gems. If you’ve seen the series, what are your thoughts?
