Do I have to watch the episodes in order?

Not at all. Every episode is a completely self-contained story with a different cast and director. You can cherry-pick based on the premise or the specific director.

Is it scarier than 'Stranger Things'?

Yes, significantly. While Stranger Things has horror elements, it's an adventure show at heart. Cabinet of Curiosities is pure horror, with much higher levels of gore and more disturbing psychological themes.

Which episodes are the 'safest' for a younger teen?

None are truly 'safe' for kids, but The Murmuring is more of a classic, atmospheric ghost story with less gore than the others. Lot 36 is also more of a creature feature than a bloodbath.

Is there a lot of nudity or sex?

There is some nudity and sexual content across the episodes (notably in 'The Outside' and 'The Wondering'), but the primary focus of the 'mature' content is the violence and horror.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A master of monsters hands the keys to eight different directors for a series of high-budget nightmares that range from gothic ghosts to alien autopsies.

7/10

93%

72%

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Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities

show

TV-MA, 2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A master of monsters hands the keys to eight different directors for a series of high-budget nightmares that range from gothic ghosts to alien autopsies.

93%

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7/10

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

If you are looking for a visual feast that will also probably make you lose your appetite, this is it. It is the most prestigious horror anthology in years, trading cheap jump scares for deeply atmospheric, often stomach-churning storytelling.

It is not a 'family watch' in any traditional sense. Save this for when the younger kids are asleep and you want to see what happens when world-class directors are given a blank check to get weird. Just be ready to look away during the third episode.

Age Fit

This is a hard 16+. The level of gore in episodes like 'The Autopsy' and the intense psychological pressure in 'The Murmuring' are too much for middle schoolers. It is a treat for older teens and adults who appreciate the craft of horror.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a horror anthology designed to unsettle. While there are moments of human connection and justice, the primary mode is dread and the grotesque.

Imaginative

Each episode is a masterclass in production design and creature effects. Del Toro's curation brings out the most original, weird, and visually arresting corners of the genre.

Safe

Extreme body horror, intense gore (specifically 'The Autopsy'), and psychological terror. This is strictly for mature audiences who know what they are signing up for.

Enriching

Beyond the scares, it offers sharp social satire and explores themes of greed, obsession, and the human condition through a high-art lens.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Top-tier production design that makes every episode look like a big-budget feature film.
Variety of horror sub-genres ensures that if one story doesn't land, the next one likely will.
Practical effects over CGI give the monsters a tactile, terrifying presence that digital monsters usually lack.
Curation by del Toro means the quality floor is much higher than your average horror anthology.

⚠

What to Watch For

'The Autopsy' episode contains some of the most graphic, clinical body horror ever put on TV. It is not for the faint of heart.
Varying tones mean some episodes are slow-burn gothic mysteries while others are frantic, bloody creature features.
Nihilistic endings are common across the tales; don't expect many happy resolutions.

Conversation Starters

"Which episode's monster felt the most 'real' or grounded to you?"
"How did 'The Outside' use horror to talk about the pressure to look or act a certain way?"
"Why do you think Guillermo del Toro chose to introduce each episode personally?"

Deep Dive

The Gold Standard for Modern Horror Anthologies

Anthology shows usually suffer from the 'Black Mirror' problem: three great episodes and five you forget immediately. Cabinet of Curiosities manages to stay remarkably consistent because Guillermo del Toro didn't just put his name on it—he hand-picked the directors and writers to match the specific vibes of each story.

The 'Autopsy' Warning

You cannot talk about this show without mentioning the third episode, The Autopsy. Directed by David Prior, it is a masterpiece of tension, but it features incredibly detailed, slow-motion surgical gore. For some, it is the highlight of the series for its technical brilliance; for others, it is a hard stop. If you or your teen are sensitive to medical or body horror, you might want to skip this specific entry and move to the more atmospheric The Murmuring.

Why It Works for Older Teens

For a 16- or 17-year-old who has already seen the standard slasher fare, this is a great introduction to 'elevated' horror. It shows that the genre can be about more than just a body count—it can be about grief, social isolation, and the hubris of man. It is a show that respects the audience's intelligence and their ability to handle complex, often dark, themes.