“Cursed” arrives on Netflix with a simple pitch: Arthurian legend, turned upside down. Instead of knights in plate armor and kings on thrones, the story follows a teenage girl who discovers she can wield magic, and a young man who carries a destiny he doesn’t understand. The show is based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and illustrated by Shannon Wheeler, adapted for television by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro. It is a bold move, and it mostly lands.
Trailer, via Netflix.
The Girl With the Sword
Katherine Langford plays Nimue, the young woman destined to become the Lady of the Lake. She grows up in a village ruled by fear, her mother dying in childbirth and her father disappearing shortly after. Nimue is clever, curious, and deeply alone, which makes her a compelling lead. The show spends its early hours establishing her isolation, and Langford sells the quiet desperation of a child who has lost everything.
The world around her is a grim one. Villagers are suspicious of outsiders, and magic is treated as a curse rather than a gift. This is a deliberate choice, and it pays off. The show builds a sense of dread that lingers long after the credits roll. Nimue’s village is a place where being different marks you as dangerous, and the show uses that fear to create a constant undercurrent of tension.
The Boy Who Carries a Blade
Devon Terrell plays Arthur, a young man who stumbles into Nimue’s life after a brutal attack. He is a commoner, not a noble, and he carries a blade he learned to use on the streets. His journey is less about destiny than about survival. Terrell brings a grounded, weary energy to the role, and his scenes with Langford crackle with tension and tenderness.
The chemistry between the two leads is the show’s strongest asset. Their banter is sharp, and their silences carry just as much weight. When Arthur finally understands what Nimue is capable of, the moment lands with genuine force.
Magic and Its Cost
The show’s central conceit is that magic comes at a price. Nimue’s power is tied to her emotions, and when she loses control, the consequences are severe. The show handles this with a mix of practical effects and digital trickery, and while some sequences feel dated, others are genuinely unsettling.
The villain of the piece is the Red Paladins, a religious order that hunts magic users, believing they are agents of evil. Their leader, Sir Balin, is played with cold precision. The group provides a constant threat, and their scenes are tense and well-choreographed.
A Darker Arthurian World
The show draws heavily on the source material, but it also diverges in significant ways. Nimue is not a damsel in distress; she is a survivor who learns to fight back. Arthur is not a king waiting to be crowned; he is a man fighting to stay alive. The show’s version of Camelot is a shadowy, rain-soaked kingdom, and the contrast with the sunny fields of legend is striking.
The production design is strong, with costumes and sets that evoke a medieval world without ever feeling like a museum piece. The music, composed by Tom Howe, is moody and atmospheric, underscoring the show’s darker tone.
A Slow Start, A Strong Finish
The first few episodes of “Cursed” are uneven. The pacing is slow, and some plot threads feel underdeveloped. The show takes its time introducing characters and establishing the world, which can be frustrating for viewers used to faster storytelling. However, once the story picks up steam in the middle, it becomes far more engaging.
The final stretch is particularly strong. The show delivers a twist that changes the audience’s understanding of the entire narrative, and it handles the reveal with confidence. The resolution is bittersweet, ending on a note of hope tempered by loss.
What Works, What Doesn’t
- The performances, especially those of Langford and Terrell
- The world-building, which creates a distinct and immersive setting
- The themes of fate versus free will, explored through the characters’ choices
- The visual effects, which are occasionally impressive
- The slower pacing of the early episodes
- Some plot threads that feel unresolved by the finale
The show is not perfect. The slow start will test the patience of casual viewers, and the middle section drags in places. The show also leans heavily on exposition, often delivered through clunky dialogue that breaks the tension.
A Worthwhile Watch
Despite its flaws, “Cursed” is a worthwhile watch for fans of fantasy television. The show offers a fresh take on a familiar myth, populated by characters who feel like real people rather than archetypes. The performances are strong, the world is well-constructed, and the final act delivers a payoff that justifies the earlier struggles.
It is a show that rewards attention, even when it demands patience.
| Episode | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | “The Forest of Arden” |
| 2 | “The Sword in the Stone” |
| 3 | “The Last Green Knight” |
| 4 | “The Lady of the Lake” |
| 5 | “The Red Paladins” |
| 6 | “The King’s Sword” |
The show’s score reflects this balance: a solid, if imperfect, adaptation of a beloved story. It earns a 5.9 out of 10.
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