Netflix Unveils New Horror Series From Stranger Things Creators

Netflix is set to unleash a chilling new miniseries this spring, as Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen arrives on the streaming platform on March 26, 2026. Produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, the creative minds behind the global phenomenon Stranger Things, the series promises to deliver a fresh wave of paranoia and fear, inviting viewers into a suspenseful family gathering where nothing is quite as it seems. With all eight episodes dropping simultaneously, horror fans and binge-watchers alike are already bracing themselves for what could be one of the year’s most talked-about releases.

According to Collider, the story follows soon-to-be newlyweds Rachel and Nicky as they journey to Nicky’s wealthy family’s secluded vacation home just five days before their impending wedding. Camila Morrone, best known for her roles in Daisy Jones & The Six and The Night Manager, stars as Rachel Harkin. Adam DiMarco, of The White Lotus fame, plays her fiancé, Nicky Cunningham. The couple’s wintery road trip is meant to be a celebration, but as horror fans know all too well, isolated mansions and family reunions rarely end well on screen.

The cast is a veritable who’s who of genre and dramatic talent. Jennifer Jason Leigh, whose credits range from The Hateful Eight to Single White Female, steps into the role of Nicky’s enigmatic mother, Victoria Cunningham. Ted Levine, forever etched in the minds of audiences as Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs, joins the ensemble alongside Jeff Wilbusch (Unorthodox), Karla Crome (Under the Dome), Gus Birney (The Last Frontier), and Sawyer Fraser (Big Sky River). Together, they form the wealthy and mysterious Cunningham clan, whose secrets and oddities will be at the heart of the show’s mounting dread.

But what exactly is the titular “very bad” thing that’s going to happen? The show’s creators are keeping their cards close to the vest. The air of mystery is intentional, with the promotional materials and first-look images—recently unveiled by Entertainment Weekly—hinting at a sense of unease and escalating tension but refusing to give away any concrete details. Is there a supernatural threat lurking in the shadows of the Cunningham estate? Could the family be hiding a sinister secret à la Rosemary’s Baby? Or is the real horror simply the anxiety of walking into your partner’s family home and realizing you’re marrying into something far more complicated than you bargained for?

Haley Z. Boston, the series’ creator and showrunner, is no stranger to unsettling storytelling. Having previously penned episodes for Brand New Cherry Flavor, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and Hunters, Boston brings a sharp, psychological edge to her work. In a quote provided by Entertainment Weekly, Boston reflected on her approach: “What’s the horror version of a woman becoming a wife? Something bad happens in every show, right? We need the conflict, but the special thing about this show, and what I think the title offers, is we’re gonna keep you guessing on what the very bad thing is. We wanted you as the audience to feel the paranoia and the fear that Rachel is feeling. Even when she’s not in the scene, we were always thinking about constructing the show in terms of her discomfort. It really represents how it feels to walk into a house for the first time and meet your significant other's family. There’s all this lore that you are not aware of and you’re suddenly stepping into it.”

The series draws inspiration from horror classics such as Carrie and Rosemary’s Baby, two films that expertly blend supernatural terror with deeply personal anxieties. Boston’s aim, as she explained to Entertainment Weekly, is to immerse audiences in Rachel’s perspective, making them feel every ounce of her unease as she navigates the labyrinthine dynamics of the Cunningham family. The show’s direction is in the capable hands of Axelle Carolyn (The Haunting of Bly Manor) and Lisa Brühlmann (Servant), both of whom have proven their mettle in crafting atmospheric, character-driven horror.

While the Duffers are serving as executive producers on this project, their fingerprints are unmistakable. Their signature blend of nostalgia, suspense, and emotional storytelling helped propel Stranger Things to unprecedented heights for Netflix, and their involvement is sure to draw both eager fans and skeptical viewers—especially after the polarizing conclusion of their flagship series. As Collider notes, the Duffer Brothers recently inked a four-year mega-deal with Paramount, but their relationship with Netflix remains strong, with several high-profile projects still in the pipeline.

In addition to Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, the Duffers are overseeing Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated series set between the second and third seasons of the original show. This new entry will feature the return of beloved characters (though not the original actors), alongside new voices such as Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips. The brothers are also producing The Boroughs, a science fiction series set in a retirement community, starring Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina. These projects signal the Duffers’ ongoing commitment to Netflix, even as they expand their creative horizons with Paramount.

For horror aficionados, the arrival of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is cause for excitement—and perhaps a little trepidation. The show’s premise taps into universal anxieties: the fear of the unknown, the tension of meeting a partner’s family, and the creeping suspicion that something is not quite right. By centering the narrative on Rachel’s perspective, Boston and her team aim to keep viewers perpetually off-balance, second-guessing every interaction and scrutinizing every shadowy corner of the Cunningham estate.

It’s a clever twist on the classic “meet the in-laws” scenario, one that promises to blend psychological horror with social commentary. Will Rachel discover a dark family secret? Is she simply succumbing to nerves and paranoia? Or is the truth even more unsettling than anyone imagines? The only certainty is that viewers will have to tune in on March 26 to find out.

With a star-studded cast, an acclaimed creative team, and the backing of Netflix’s formidable promotional machine, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is poised to make a significant impact when it arrives this spring. Whether it will live up to the legacy of Stranger Things or carve out its own unique place in the annals of horror television remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: something very bad—and very entertaining—is indeed on its way.