In The Curse, his fraught performance is matched for erratic energy by Stone, as his spoiled, earnest wife. The daughter of a property developing family – early on, we hear them described as “slumlords”– she’s on a mission to bring eco-friendly houses to up-and-coming Española, New Mexico. 

The problem is that these planet-saving dwellings are far too expensive for Española’s Latin and Native American communities. Never mind, says Whitney. Even if they can’t afford to live in the new houses, the town will become a nicer place for everyone. “We really believe that gentrification doesn’t have to be a game of winners and losers.”

In addition to re-making the property landscape in their own image like a sort of apocalyptic Phil and Kirstie, Asher and Whitney are shooting a lifestyle documentary called Flipanthropy for HGTV, a real-life lifestyle channel owned by Discovery. Flipanthropy’s director is Dougie (Safdie). He’s a rude weirdo who will do anything to get ahead in his career (Love to the Third Degree was his idea). 

Dougie’s lack of scruples extends to persuading Asher to donate money to the daughter of a Somali migrant, purely because it will make for good television. But when Asher asks for his $100 bill back, the girl places a curse on him. While he shrugs this off, Whitney, concerned about the couple’s failure to conceive, takes it seriously. What if malign forces are out to get them? 

The Curse needs to be approached on its terms. The humour is dark and unsettling; the tone melds social commentary with low-key horror (a rising dread permeates everything). It’s more impressive than watchable. Still, at a time when so much TV feels like the digital equivalent of fast food, it at least dares to be different. Those with an appetite for the strange and surreal will relish The Curse. But it is an acquired taste.