Today’s the day. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now streaming on Netflix, and horror fans are definitely in for a treat! This highly anticipated series has been generating buzz since it was first announced back in July 2024, and now subscribers can finally dive in to see what all the excitement is about.
Set in the tense, emotionally charged week leading up to a wedding, the series follows Rachel Harkin and Nicky Cunningham, an engaged couple whose dream celebration begins to unravel in unsettling ways. What should be a joyful countdown to marital bliss quickly turns into a psychological thriller as Rachel senses that something is horribly wrong.
Throughout the eight-episode horror miniseries, viewers meet a bunch of characters who are played by some really incredible actors. However, you would already know this if you have been keeping up with all of the press releases for the show. But there’s one surprise appearance that has everyone talking.
In an episode of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, a breakout horror favorite delivers a chilling and memorable performance. This actress was not included in any of the press releases, so it was exciting for fans to see her pop up unexpectedly.
Major spoilers are ahead from Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen.
Victoria Pedretti makes a surprise appearance in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
It’s really true! Scream Queen Victoria Pedretti has a one-episode stint in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, but even in that brief time, she makes a lasting impression. Horror fans will recognize Pedretti for previously starring in Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology series. She first gained widespread recognition for her performance as Eleanor “Nell” Crain in the Netflix supernatural horror series The Haunting of Hill House.
Pedretti then continued to solidify her status as a modern scream queen with her role in The Haunting of Bly Manor, where she portrayed Dani Clayton. Although not a horror show, Pedretti even showcased her range further by playing a manipulative serial killer in the psychologically tense drama series You. In Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, she’s not playing a bad guy in any way. However, her character does meet a tragic fate.
It all goes down in the fourth episode of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Titled “The Witness,” we learn about Rachel’s mother, who passed away when Rachel was born. That’s who Pedretti plays. Her character’s name is Alexandra “Ali” Harkin. There’s a scene in the fourth episode where Rachel watches old video footage of her mom and dad. Rachel’s dad is named Jay.
The video is dated Jan. 13, 1997, and a pregnant Ali and Jay head to the same snowy location where the entire series takes place. They’re about to get married, but Ali has a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Jay manages to calm her down, and they head to the chapel to get hitched. But before they officially get married, a mysterious man who acts as the witness asks Ali if she’s sure that Jay is the one.
Although she finds that weird, Ali still ends up saying “yes” when it’s time to say her vows. Shortly after, the newly married couple heads back to the cottage where they’re temporarily staying. While passionately kissing, blood starts pouring from Ali’s nose before the same thing starts happening from her eyes. We’re then shown a bloody Ali lying on the floor while Jay tries to get her to stay awake. Ali ultimately passes away, and Jay is left to remove Rachel from her stomach.
We find out later in the episode that Ali passed away because there’s a curse on her family. Basically, the curse is that every descendant of her family must marry their true soulmate. If a family member marries someone who is not their soulmate, that person will die on the day of their wedding. The only other way around the curse is if they leave their fiancé or fiancée at the altar. In that case, the curse doesn’t die, but instead passes over to the fiancé/fiancée’s family.
Since Rachel is a descendant of Ali, she now faces the same problem as she prepares to marry Nicky. That’s basically what the last half of the series is about, but we’re not going to spoil how things wrap up. You’ll have to watch it for yourself.
Hopefully, we’ll see Pedretti take on more horror projects in the future. While it’s nice to see her star in shows and movies of other genres, she truly shines in horror.
All eight episodes of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen are streaming on Netflix.
