Cabinet of Curiosities is a horror anthology series created by Guillermo del Toro. Each episode is written and directed by different film personalities - the episodes cover a range of periods and genres and are almost distinct in their own way while maintaining some uniformity as a whole in terms of theme and tone. Some episodes are slow-burn and some are a little less concrete (plot-wise) but every one of them is beautifully executed and comes to life with strong performances by notable actors.
Overall, it's a well-done series but some episodes were stronger than others. So here are the episodes of Cabinet of Curiosities ranked from least favourite to favourite:
8. “The Viewing”
Based on a short story by Michael Shea, directed by Panos Cosmatos (Mandy)
This episode ranks pretty high on other rankings with critics praising this episode for its stylism and soundtrack but for me, it was a little too gold, a little too slow and a little too pretentious. The episode starts off a little confused (even for the characters) as a bunch of 1970s renowned experts are (seemingly) randomly gathered for an unknown purpose. It turns out a rich eccentric (played by Peter Waller) gathered unique minds to show his latest prize.
It’s quite clear that there’s meaning teeming behind every interaction between these characters but for the life of me, I cannot figure it out. The rich eccentric is pretentiously dressed in a robe as he rambles on about the history of “a 50-year-oldTetsuro Harasingle malt whiskey"; and while he’s not hesitant to compliment his guests, there seems to be something hidden (insincerity perhaps) behind every statement. When we finally get some action in the last ten minutes, it's one that leaves me saying “what the f** was that”. It’s cinema, alright - a confusing one.
7. “The Autopsy”
Adapted from The Autopsy by Michael Shea, Directed by David Prior (The Empty Man)
A bizarre incident has occurred in a small town that leaves the Sheriff (Glyn Turman) feeling like he might be cursed. A medical examiner (F. Murray Abraham) is called in to piece together the puzzle by taking bodies apart and boy does he figure it out. It’s a brilliant performance by F. Murray Abraham as he mostly talks himself through the autopsy and finally has an enlightening conversation with another character while they dissect bodies up close. The conversation between both Turman and Abraham’s characters is packed with chemistry as it really seems like a conversation between friends. "The Autopsy" also featured some trippy transitions.
I liked this episode but ranked it lower because the “humans are the prize” narrative is a bit trite. Also, there seemed to be very little meaning in showing Sykes' backstory.
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6. “Dreams in the Witch House”
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Based on The Dreams in the Witch House by H.P. Lovecraft, directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight)
Not to be dramatic, but it hurts my soul that this episode had to be ranked so low. Featuring one of my favourite actors (Rupert Grint), a heartwarming story about trying to “save” his twin, loss denial, witches and a version of The Skye Boat Song - it has everything and yet it went so so wrong. The elements barely came together and the climax of the episode where the beautifully designed witch comes for Walter’s soul seems so cartoony due to the exaggerated acting of some of the characters. In this episode, I was painfully aware that I was looking at my screen instead of feeling transported into it.
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5. “The Outside”
Based on the webcomic by Emily Caroll, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night)
Kate Micucci stars as a bank teller by day and a taxidermist by hobby. She’s shunned by her colleagues due to her reserved looks and longs for their attention. She sees a tv advertisement about a miracle beauty product and religiously uses it despite being allergic to it as the pale beautiful man on TV (Dan Stevens) tells her that if it's hurting, it’s healing.
What's so intriguing about “The Outside” is that it has quite a few dynamics - Stacey’s dynamic with herself as well as her colleagues/the outside world, and her dynamic with her husband. Martin Starr fabulously plays the concerned yet uncaring husband as he says all the right words but he’s not concerned enough to mean them or follow through on them. Knowing that his wife was going to apply some more cream, he asks her not to do it and instead of following her to ensure she doesn't, he sits there and enjoys tv.
It’s clear that “The Outside” is spotlighting the beauty industry and the insecurity-fueled consumerism -- some viewers have even compared the episode’s beauty ads to TikTok influencers constantly shoving The Ordinary products as the magic life-changing serum. The lesson is a little on-the-nose but it comes together nicely with a very creepy end.
4. “Graveyard Rats”
Based on The Graveyard Rats by Henry Kutner, directed by Vincenzo Natali (Splice)
A desperate man in debt (David Hewlett) robs graves to make end meets. But his night hustle gets a little thwarted by bold rats who steal his booty from right under his nose - as unbelievable as that sounds. “Graveyard Rats” starts a little slow and mostly features Hewlett trying to bargain with either himself or his god but it beautifully balances his soliloquy with his very tense environments as he squeezes through tight spaces (despite being claustrophobic ) and battles with underground rats. The episode is a testament to how far a mix of desperation and grit can push humans to overcome anything.
3. “Lot 36”
Based on a story by Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo Navarro (Narcos)
“Lot 36” is a pretty strong opening for Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and I loved every second of it. While it’s also a slow starter like “Graveyard Rats”, “Lot 36” is the only episode where a subplot plays very strongly into the episode’s ending. Tim Blake Nelson plays Nick, an angry veteran who’s tired of immigrants taking the jobs of good Americans (and he plays it beautifully as the character’s anger and disgust are almost palpable). Nick tries to make end meets by buying foreclosed storage lockers and selling the items in them.
He gets into some luck and also misfortune when he buys a locker with occult items. Nick’s impatience, disgust and cynicism don't seem to be reserved for immigrants alone as even when he’s faced with irrefutable evidence of the occult, he refuses to believe it - blind to everything but his own misfortune and choosing to believe the world owes him for his service to the country.
2. “Pickman’s Model”
Directed by Keith Thomas (Firestarter), Based on Pickman’s Model by H.P. Lovecraft
This rating might be a tad controversial as it ranked low on other lists and a lot of viewers on TV Time called it boring but it was a pretty strong episode for me - also didn't start slow like its preceding two episodes. William Thurber (Ben Barnes) is an art student with a promising future until his curiosity nearly destroys his life. He’s fascinated by the dark subject and art style of his new classmate (Crispin Glover) and the more he finds out, the messier his life becomes as he’s constantly rocked by disturbing visions. Thurber also has other events going on in his life like his love life, social life and budding career as an artist. As a plus, the drawings are paintings featured in Pickman’s Model are well done as they almost seem like they’re moving.
In the end, it’s a bit difficult to say if the things Thurber saw were real and who really was the monster.
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1. “The Murmuring”
Based on a story by Gullermo del Toro, directed by Jennifer Kent (The Nightingale)
The last episode of Gullermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities ended up being the best of the bunch with almost every frame looking like it belonged in a frame. It is less horror and jumpscare than the previous episodes and gives off The Haunting vibes.
A married couple who love studying dunlin birds go on a work trip and there, they try to work through their grief and solve the mystery of the house. Both Andrew Lincoln and Essie Davis deliver strong performances as a couple simultaneously reaching for each other but unable to scale the wall they’ve built between themselves. Unlike the husband in “The Outside”, Lincoln’s character is saying all the right words and he means them but they’re not the words his wife wants to hear.
It’s a beautiful performance about loss and how a supernatural event helps them be vulnerable.
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