Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

A wonderfully atmospheric start to Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, featuring excellent cinematography. This subtly occult story follows a guy (played brilliantly by Tim Blake Nelson) who has no respect for history — his goal is to sell everything and move on. But his disregard becomes his downfall when he encounters an Ancient One straight out of a Lovecraft story in one of the storage units. And that's right up my alley. (02.11.2022)

If you're a fan of Stargate (especially Atlantis), you'll be thrilled to see the beloved actor who plays Rodney McKay take center stage. This episode revolves around a selfish grave robber who’s willing to crawl into rat-infested tunnels for a piece of gold. It’s incredibly claustrophobic, period-accurate, atmospheric, and ends on a surprisingly brutal and unexpected note. (07.11.2022)

This is where Cabinet of Curiosities truly shines again. "The Autopsy" is an outstanding episode, maintaining the high quality of the previous two while offering something a bit different. The story unfolds on an autopsy table, with a doctor examining bodies from a mine explosion. The nocturnal atmosphere is so intense that you could hear a pin drop at your dinner table, even through two thick walls. F. Murray Abraham is brilliant, carrying the episode on his shoulders. The ending is quite intense, with a practical rather than shocking twist. (07.11.2022)

The first real oddball in the Cabinet of Curiosities series. It offers an ironic take on today’s consumer society. The main character, played brilliantly by Kate Micucci, is quite peculiar — her eyes are like grapefruits, and her hobbies, like taxidermy, don't exactly fit in with the gossiping women in small-town America. She comes across a cream that's supposed to improve her appearance, and then things start to get weird. While it has the potential to satirize society, it mostly just felt absurd to me. (07.11.2022)

Another great reason to dive into Lovecraft's world. This episode starts with a fantastic period atmosphere set at the turn of the 20th century. As it progresses, it intensifies into an unsettling and eerie experience, culminating in a somewhat brutal and literal ending. A well-done episode with excellent performances by Ben Barnes and Crispin Glover. (11.11.2022)

Probably the dullest episode of Cabinet of Curiosities. The setting feels lackluster, despite the promising period and Lovecraft-inspired storyline. Rupert Grint does a solid job in the lead role, but somehow it all just doesn't come together and ends up being quite boring at times. (24.11.2022)

What an exclusive slice of madness. After Mandy and this story, Panos Cosmatos has convinced me that he's a madman — but a stylish one. His contribution to Cabinet of Curiosities is set in the dark 80s, featuring darkwave music, dark yet pastel-colored filters, and a psychedelic trip filled with grotesque elements straight out of a John Carpenter film. This is the first episode in the series where I genuinely didn't know how to rate it by the end. However, I can't deny that it captivated me. (24.11.2022)

This intriguing and unusual story by Guillermo del Toro captivated me with its unique atmosphere. Instead of focusing on the mystique of a lonely house, it centers on the flocks of birds swirling around it and two enthusiastic ornithologists documenting them. It's an interesting, slightly mystical piece with a compelling atmosphere. (01.12.2022)