Cabinet of Curiosities – Netflix Review

Guillermo del Toro’s CABINET OF CURIOSITIES on Netflix is a new horror anthology from the iconic filmmaker. Each episode is from a different director and the stories are quite diverse. Read our Cabinet of Curiosities Season 1 episode reviews here!

Guillermo del Toro’s CABINET OF CURIOSITIES on Netflix is a horror anthology that offers something for just about every kind of horror fan. For me, the anthology was strongest during the first episodes and ends on a very strong note with the final episode.

There are no bad episodes, so it’s more about your personal preferences in terms of style and horror genres. Each episode is from a different director and the stories are actually quite diverse. Here are the release date and titles of the episodes in season 1.

October 25: Lot 36 & Graveyard Rats
October 26: The Autopsy & The Outside
October 27: Pickman’s Model & Dreams in the Witch House
October 28: The Viewing & The Murmuring

Continue reading our Season 1 Cabinet of Curiosities episode reviews below.

Lot 36 & Graveyard Rats – release date: October 25, 2022

The new Netflix horror anthology from Guillermo del Toro opens with two strong episodes.

LOT 36 is episode 1

Directed by Guillermo Navarro (Godfather of Harlem, Narcos)

Written by Regina Corrado (Deadwood, The Strain) and based on an original story by Guillermo del
Toro.

This is the official plot of Lot 36

To pay off his debt, a man secures a storage unit filled with mysterious possessions to sell, but soon finds himself in a deadly and desperate situation.

This episode has all the making of a classic horror story. Of course, I would expect nothing less when the episode is based on a story from the anthology creator, Guillermo del Toro, himself.

The stars of the episode are Tim Blake Nelson (Watchmen), Elpidia Carrillo (Predator), Demetrius Grosse (Lovecraft Country), and Sebastian Roché (The Man in the High Castle).

Our rating of Lot 36 is: 4 out of 5

GRAVEYARD RATS is episode 2

Directed by Vincenzo Natali (In The Tall Grass, Splice, Cube)

Based on a short story written by Henry Kuttner

The official plot of Graveyard Rats

A grave robber eyes the riches of a wealthy new arrival to the cemetery, but must survive a maze of tunnels — and an army of rodents — to secure them.

The second episode of Cabinet of Curiosities has both comedy and horror. It’s both a very dire and realistic tale and a monster story. This is the kind of episode I suspect many will enjoy. I know I did.

David Hewlett (See, Cube, Nightmare Alley) stars in this episode and since he has worked with both Vincenzo Natali and Guillermo del Toro in the past, you know this is a match made in horror heaven. An episode that is bound to make your skin crawl.

Our rating of Graveyard Rats is: 4 out of 5

The Autopsy & The Outside – release date: October 26

We continue with more great horror stories from more amazing genre film directors.

THE AUTOPSY is episode 3

Directed by David Prior (The Empty Man)

Written by David S. Goyer (The Sandman) and based on a short story by Michael Shea.

The plot of The Autopsy

A seasoned sheriff investigates a dead body in the woods and calls on an old pal, a medical examiner, to help piece together a series of chilling events.

Yet another solid episode that reminded me a bit of The Autopsy of Jane Doe. Mostly because it’s in the title that we’re dealing with the same thing; An autopsy. However, in this third episode of the horror anthology, there is something very different to the story.

Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham (Moon Knight) stars along with Glynn Turman (Super 8, John Dies at the End) and Luke Roberts (The Batman, Black Sails).

Our rating of The Autopsy is: 4 out of 5

THE OUTSIDE is episode 4

Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon)

Written by Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor) and based on a short story by comic book author Emily Carroll.

The official plot of The Outside

Longing to fit in at work, awkward Stacey begins to use a popular lotion that causes an alarming reaction, while an unnerving transformation takes shape.

Kate Micucci (The Little Hours) is amazing as the star of this episode. Once again, this is the kind of episode that will likely have you itching. Or definitely feeling uncomfortable. I loved this episode, but I do suspect it (especially the ending) might divide viewers quite a lot.

Oh well, a lot of strong stories do.

Playing the husband to Kate Micucci’s lead character is Martin Starr (Silicon Valley). He plays a role that feels familiar and does an excellent job.

Our rating of The Outside is: 4 out of 5

Pickman’s Model & Dreams in the Witch House – release date: October 27

This third day of the Netflix & Chills Halloween event of 2022 is all about H.P. Lovecraft since both episodes are based on short stories by this author.

PICKMAN’S MODEL is episode 5

Directed by Keith Thomas (The Vigil)

Written by Lee Patterson (Curve) and based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft.

The plot of Pickman’s Model

Art student Will meets introvert Richard, whose terrifying works of art begin to have a deeply disturbing effect on Will’s sense of reality.

The episode has a very intriguing and strong opening with Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone, Westworld) in the all-important lead. As the mysterious painter, we see a character portrayed by Crispin Glover (Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, Charlie’s Angels).

While Crispin Clover is always intriguing, he does go a bit over the top for me here. The episode isn’t bad by any means, but it feels too long and has a lull in the middle that did nothing good for the story.

Our rating of Pickman’s Model is: 3 out of 5

DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE is episode 6

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight)

Written by Mika Watkins (Origin) and based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft.

The official plot of the Dreams in the Witch House episode

Years after his twin sister’s death, a researcher ventures into a dark, mysterious realm with the aid of a special drug, determined to bring her back.

The star of this episode is Rupert Grint (Servant) with Ismael Cruz Cordova (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Undoing) as his best friend and partner in trying to connect with the afterlife. This episode begins very well, but it does run on for a bit too long.

Much like the other H.P. Lovecraft episode released on this same day, it would have been stronger with a shorter runtime. Other wonderful actors in the episode are DJ Qualls (Creepshow), Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), and Tenika Davis (Jupiter’s Legacy).

Our rating of Dreams in the Witch House is: 3 out of 5

The Viewing & The Murmuring –  release date: October 28

The final day of season 1 releases of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and we end on a strong note with the final episode.

THE VIEWING is episode 7

Directed by Panos Cosmatos (Mandy)

Written by Panos Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart-Ahn.

The official plot of The Viewing

A wealthy recluse hosts four accomplished guests at his stylish mansion for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but their intrigue soon turns into terror.

Peter Weller (RoboCop) is very intriguing as the wealthy and powerful man who has invited a very diverse crew of people for “a viewing”. Sofia Boutella (Settlers, Atomic Blonde, The Mummy) is his partner-in-crime and personal doctor. Actually, she’s much more, but you’ll discover this for yourself.

The other cast members of this penultimate episode are Eric André, Charlyne Yi, Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Michael Therrialt (Locke and Key, Cult of Chucky), and Saad Siddiqui (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow).

For me, Charlyne Yi had some comedic timing that worked perfectly with the darker moments. I really enjoyed this episode and even liked the ending of it. It does run a bit slow, but it is so amazingly intriguing that I didn’t even mind in the slightest.

Our rating of The Viewing is: 4 out of 5

THE MURMURING is episode 8 (the final episode of season 1)

Directed by Jennifer Kent (The Babadook, The Nightingale)

Written by Jennifer Kent and based on an original story by Guillermo del Toro.

The official plot of The Murmuring

Mourning a major loss, ornithologists Nancy and Edgar flock to a secluded home to study birds, but the house’s history reveals heartbreak and horror.

Essie Davis (The Babadook) is once again the star of a Jennifer Kent movie with Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) as her husband. This is a love story that also deals with loss in many different ways.

If I’m to compare this episode to anything – which is always dangerous, but I’m still doing it – it would be to The Conjuring and The Haunting of Hill House. No, not in terms of the actual story for either, but rather the big old haunted house element.

Well, that and the fact that the characters experiencing this have a profound love for one another. This was probably my overall favorite episode of the season.

Our rating of The Murmuring is: 5 out of 5

Start watching season 1 of Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix now!

Cabinet of Curiosities comes from Guillermo del Toro. Hence, the full title of the new Netflix horror anthology which is Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. The opening of each episode is not unlike the Twilight Zone episodes of old times.

Acclaimed Academy Award-winning filmmaker – and creator, executive producer, and co-showrunner of the Netflix series – Guillermo del Toro introduces each episode. He has also curated this collection of genre-defining stories. Each one is meant to challenge our traditional notions and expectations of horror.

From the macabre to the absolutely magical. Or from the gothic to the grotesque on to the classically creepy. Each one of the eight sinister tales (including two original stories by del Toro) is brought to life by a team of writers and directors. All have been personally chosen by Guillermo del Toro.

What can I say? The man has excellent taste.

The Netflix & Chills Halloween event of 2022

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities debuts Tuesday, October 25. This launches a special four-day, double-episode Netflix & Chills Halloween event.

Two all-new Cabinet of Curiosities tales will debut daily through Friday, October 28, when the entire collection of eight stories will be available.

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities premieres on Netflix worldwide on October 25, 2022.