Christopher Nolan Says The Curse Is Unlike Anything He Has Watched On TV, Praises Emma Stone

Legendary British-American filmmaker Christopher Nolan recently facilitated a Q&A session alongside Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie, discussing the intricacies of The Curse. It is a satirical comedy series featuring Fielder and Emma Stone. The show, available on Showtime and Paramount+, prompted Nolan, renowned for his directorial work in Oppenheimer, to say that it stands out “unlike anything I’ve ever seen on television before." During the discussion, Nolan drew parallels to iconic shows such as Twin Peaks, The Prisoner, and Dennis Potter’s Singing Detective, appreciating the rarity of productions that break new ground.

“I think the show is incredible. This type of show could only be made now during the anarchy of the streaming era and that tone is the star of the series," Nolan said.

The filmmaker eagerly anticipated the audience catching up with the climax of this distinctive series. He also took a moment to commend Fielder’s HBO series, The Rehearsal, and the achievements of Benny Safdie, particularly highlighting his collaborative work with brother Josh Safdie.

Following his admiration for the show, the Oscar-nominated director went on to commend actress Emma Stone, who has been widely discussed this year due to her Oscar-nominated film, Poor Things. Nolan expressed high regard for Stone, appreciating her compelling performance in the show and highlighting her portrayal’s lack of vanity.

“I want to talk about Emma Stone. And Whitney, because it’s—she’s absolutely, I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say, as the series develops, she can be pretty maddening at times, in a very credible way. The performance I think is absolutely amazing and wonderful. She’s totally in it. And there is an absolute lack of, I mean, for a star to play a part with an absolute lack of vanity, and no apander to the audience. Not appealing to the audience," he said.

Watch it here:

In The Curse, Fielder and Stone portray a married couple hosting their own HGTV show titled Fliplanthrophy. The narrative takes a twist when an alleged curse interferes with their relationship, complicating their attempts to conceive. Safdie, co-creator of the series alongside Fielder, also features in the show as a TV producer striving to capture the couple’s ethically questionable actions on camera.

Variety’s TV critic, Alison Herman, offered a nuanced perspective on The Curse, describing it as “undeniably effective at creating a mood." Herman’s review characterised the show as a profound exploration of exploitation at various levels, acknowledging its capacity to evoke both admiration and discomfort.

All episodes of The Curse are now available for streaming on Paramount+.