Haley Z. Boston On Being A "Nicky Apologist" & Crafting The Intricacies Of 'Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen': "Writing This Show Was Like Being In Therapy

Haley Z. Boston explains why she embraced a loose, instinct-driven approach to writing Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, a Netflix horror series that doubles as an intimate study of love and doubt. The project has become one of Netflix's most talked-about horror titles, anchored by Camila Morrone as Rachel and Adam DiMarco as Nicky. Boston highlights bold red annotations for blood to signal its narrative weight, and she even designed title-page drops to punch up each episode's mood. She says the finale functions as a breakup story, reframing the relationship arc in shocking terms.

Boston describes breaking traditional screenwriting rules and speaking directly to the audience in the script to convey tone. The writing process unfolded in a road trip moment, with a pilot plan that even included a rest-stop baby as a storytelling prompt. In editing, she repositioned the title drops to land at the end of each episode with maximum impact. Her method links personal questions about soulmates and commitment to the show's eerie mythology, defining its tone and its examination of relationships.