Cabinet of Curiosities (1×02) Graveyard Rats Review

For our review of the last episode of Cabinet of Curiosities, click here.

While the first episode of Cabinet of Curiosities dealt with the occult, this one deals with as the episode title suggests, rats which could be scary in their own right. However just like the previous episode, it takes its premise and fails to do enough with it. That being said, this engaging period character study is still an improvement over last week’s episode thank to a terrific performance from David Hewlett as a graverobbing caretaker who would soon find himself in over his head. The similarities between the first two episodes are clear as desperate characters get caught up in their desperation. Suffice it to say that giving viewers a more likeable yet also flawed character to root for made a difference though much of the credit goes to Hewlett. Unfortunately, this episode, though shorter than last week, once again fails to stick the landing. That being said, that miss isn’t nearly as bad. These first two stories ultimately fail to get the most out of their premises but Graveyard Rats has a better grasp of its.

Graveyard Rats, as mentioned, follows a caretaker named Masson (Hewlett) who supports his income by stealing precious metals from graves. Suddenly, he began to face some competition by an influx of rats who have managed to plunder graves before he can. Nevertheless, Masson still found himself buried under a mountain of debt which his debtors did not care in the slightest as to his situation. In order to save himself, he would need the upper hand on the rats but little did he know what that pursuit would unveil as he was pulled further and further down by an even more ominous threat before eventually losing itself by the end. Though the temptation was there, whether or nor Masson would survive wasn’t necessarily a sure thing.

Graveyard Rats rests firmly on Hewlett’s shoulders and he certainly delivers with a terrific performance as Masson. The episode is essentially his character arc and over the course of that arc, he pulls viewers into his emotional roller coaster as he is challenged philosophically, emotionally, and literally, making it easy to feel those emotions along with him. 

At the end of the day, though not without flaws, Graveyard Rats is a fun yet simple creature feature. 

*still courtesy of Netflix*

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.