Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities Episode 7 and 8 Review:
*Spoilers Ahead*
The finale of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities is upon us, bringing two unique and engaging stories with it and providing excellent characterization, designs; this is the culmination of everything the anthology has been leading to. Although these episodes are nowhere near similar in plot, they deliver on every front—a worthy send-off to this anthology’s first season!
We will start with episode 7, “The Viewing,” directed by Panos Cosmatos, based on a short story by Michael Shea. This episode takes place in the late 70s to early 80s and encapsulates the period excellently, making the viewers feel like they’re being pulled back in time. This episode is the standout of the entire series, showing masterful directing, cinematography, set design, acting. There’s not one aspect of this episode that is bad; it is a slow-burn episode, but the buildup pays off in a shocking, exceptional way! I highly advise a blind viewing experience; that is how this episode is meant to be seen.
The episode starts with four people from entirely different backgrounds and areas of expertise being invited to the house of an esteemed millionaire, a self-made man named Lionel Lassiter. The entire first act of this episode is one shroud in mystery. No one, including the four characters, understands why they’re being called to this house, and the ultimate reality is different than anything anticipated.
The final act of this short is where everything comes crashing down; this intense and action-filled segment had me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. Not only that, but the ending is very ambiguous, forcing you to sit with the conclusion and try to piece together its implications.
Overall, this episode is the standout of the entire series. It’s the one people will come back to and try to reexamine in a new light, trying to piece together the whole narrative. Not only that, but as I stated earlier, every part of the production of this episode is phenomenal and deserves praise—especially the casting! The standout actors in this would have to be Eric Andre, who plays Randall, and Peter Weller, who plays Lionel. These two actors brought everything to their performances, making them believable and realistic in every way possible. There’s not a single thing that this episode doesn't deserve praise for, and I want to give this the best rating I can: 10/10.
Moving onto the final episode of the anthology, titled “The Murmuring,” directed by Jennifer Kent. Though it is the polar opposite of the previous episode, it also offers a unique, heart-wrenching storyline that makes viewers feel attached to the characters within the short. This, in addition to the exceptional acting of both lead characters, Edgar, played by Andrew Lincoln, and Nancy, played by Essie Davis, make the episode.
As with the last episode, I will not spoil the plot; this is another short you should watch entirely blind. The basic plotline takes place in the 1950s, centering on Nancy and Edgar, a married pair of ornithologists. Together these two are invited to conduct research in a secluded area. Without giving much away, the storyline centers on these two as they struggle through marriage and infidelity problems while dealing with supernatural interference, forcing them to confront their problems and relationship issues head-on while examining incredible birds.
Overall, this is an emotionally driven episode focusing on a fractured marriage accompanied by a beautiful environmental setting. This is an excellent addition to the anthology, offering a compelling and believable performance, making these characters seem three-dimensional. These are some of the best performances in the entire collection; however, this episode is relatively slow, just like the last, and it isn't necessarily meant for everyone; it can come off as too long and tedious, but it is worth a watch. I’ll rate this episode a 7/10; again, the acting is spectacular, but there’s little happening in this story compared to the rest of the anthology.
This has been a mixed bag of a series, but it was a fantastic watch through and through. Each episode offers a new story and brings something else to the table. This is a tremendous watch, though some episodes don’t shine as brightly as others. You won’t regret watching this anthology, and due to popular demand, it is being renewed for a second season, which promises to ramp up the stories in every aspect! Overall, the entire series would be a 9/10. Every episode offers something for everyone, so if this review hasn’t convinced you, you’ll just have to watch Guillermo del Toro’sCabinet of Curiosities.