Guillermo de Toro eight episode series "Cabinet of Curiosities" airing on Netflix, is in simpatico with Rod Serling's series, "Twilight Zone" (1959-64) and Alfred Hitchcock Hour series (1955-65). These episodic programs share a sense of the paranormal, sci-fi and high drama. Guillermo introduces each episode as did his predecessors. The final episode, "The Murmuring" is the only one written by Guillermo. It is directed by Jennifer Kent ("The Babadook"). The mainstay of this "haunted house" story is a rundown, but inviting mansion. The story is set in Oct,'1951, on a sylvan, secluded island. A married couple played convincingly by Essie Davis (Nancy) and Andrew Lincoln (Edgar). They're both ornithologists studying the sounds and patterns of dunlins in hopes of understanding the murmuration formations that are so beguiling and bewildering. The goal as scientific researchers is to continually ask why and how. The stunning cinematography captures mesmerizing dunlins' murmurations. The color palette scans a broad spectrum of pale, cool blues outdoors to deeper tones indoors venturing toward midnight blues. The antiquated charm of the large home becomes more foreboding as Nancy is awoken by slamming doors, slithering shadows and unintelligible voices. The mainstays for constructing a haunted house are built in the film's structure. There are arresting, family photos lining the walls of the winding stairs. Suspense mounts steadily as apparitions manifest themselves to Nancy as they mirror a growing strain in the marriage. It's no mystery the couple has endured a parents' worst nightmare. Guillermo has captured a hauntingly, beautiful film of grief which weighs the toll grief extracts for its irreplaceable loss, and portends why this phenomenon is on individual path. And, how the repression of sorrow festers while its release has the miraculous power to heal. Still, grief must be processed, "all in good time, my little pretty, all in good time."
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