Curious and Unusual Deaths (2009– ) User Reviews

Interesting but with caveats

[ladybug2535 · 6/10 · 14 January 2017]

These are indeed interesting and usually unexpected ways to die. The re- enactments are supplemented by factual information provided by experts, either in a general (scientific) sense or while extrapolating the specific circumstances that had to take place in order for the unique fatal event to occur.

Can work as cautionary tales, but my biggest objection is that the narration appears to be attempting to make light of the misfortune experienced by the victims. This doesn't work because in 98% of the cases the victims couldn't have possibly known that they were putting their lives at risk. These people, in most cases are not stupid deaths, and as a result the narrative tone does them a huge disservice and strikes me as very disrespectful. That is the only reason I dropped my score as much as I have.

Despite this I do see merit in the program, and it is the essentially my only objection to the show. As the first reviewer states, this is not for the squeamish or delicate (although none of the depictions are particularly graphic), but there is still valuable and intriguing information contained within the contents of this show. Definitely worth watching for the right audience and as a learning tool.

Interesting Premise, Mediocre Delivery, Flawed Reporting

[jreyes-12353 · 6/10 · 1 August 2017]

Like many of the reviews already here, I found this show to be a (slightly) more tasteful version of the American show "1000 Ways to Die."

I did enjoy the overall presentations of the events and circumstances of each individuals demise. In most cases the performances were respectful, if a bit over dramatic, and the science and explanations of each event were well presented and quickly became my favorite part of the show.

However; like my fellow reviewers, I found the show's minor attempts at dark humor were entirely unnecessary. Unfortunately this isn't the reason as to why I have given the show such a low rating. My biggest criticism comes from the reporting of various facts and details regarding the individuals featured in the program. After hearing about one of the cases featured in the show, I would often try to learn more about them. A quick google search would allow me to read on about the case, and usually exposed a facet or detail that the show had gotten wrong. Changed names, wrong locations, or misreported circumstances were a frequent discovery while I was watching this show, and the primary reason why I cannot rate it any higher.

It's a curious and unusual death... We get it already..

[ssanchez-94724 · 28 February 2017]

I could not agree more with what one reviewer, who said "constantly working in the title of the show at the end of every story was extremely irritating". Seriously. It's so bad that I came here just to review on how obnoxious and irritating this is. What a headache. It's a shame because the show is otherwise quite a great idea.

Pretty Decent Show!

[vengeance20 · 9/10 · 6 June 2020]

Caught a trailer of this on Pick in 2017 & was instantly drawn to the shows premise & content! The show tells 3 different stories based on a sub topic relating to a series of unusual & bizarre deaths. The show itself reminds me a lot of Creepy Canada, the narrator, the graphics & the music used seem really similar.

I found the series to be pretty good! The music, tone, narration & scientific facts all gel well together & you learn a lot of interesting facts & stories as you watch! I hear this is similar to 1000 Ways To Die (which I've yet to see by the way)! But plan on doing so as these types of shows interest me! The dark humour also adds to this show, even though I can see why others may disapprove & dislike the untasteful way it is done.

Some stories are good based on what sub topic episode it is i.e Death By Sports. Others can be a bit hit & miss. The graphics are a little cheap but hey I've seen worse!

Overall a great show! I recommend if you're into these dark humoured, historical, mystery type shows! 9/10

Not bad but kind of annoying

[thedarkestshadow81 · 5/10 · 14 January 2017]

This show was not terrible. It was interesting to see what story would come next.I found myself looking up several of them to see what was changed.

I found episode 5 the most interesting. I always wondered exactly how Brandon Lee died.

I would have rated it higher if not for a few things.

Like the other reviewer said, it seemed like the narrator was making light of the deaths. It was disrespectful and whoever had that idea should be ashamed.

One other thing was the constant repetition of words and phrases. If I had a dollar for every time the narrator said "explains" when introducing the experts I'd be rich. I think a different word was used only once when he said "according to" instead. IMO that and constantly working in the title of the show at the end of every story was extremely irritating.

eh

[losingthebattle · 3/10 · 17 January 2017]

This seems to be the Canadian equivalent of 1000 Ways To Die, which I used to watch when i was younger. It has the same dark humor that seems inappropriate when talking about deaths. Now, I am all for making light of heavy topics; however, in some cases it doesn't seem... respectful. This is one of those cases. Everyone does have a different opinion of when they think its appropriate, and that is okay, but for me it seemed disrespectful towards the dead. I had the same issue with 1000 Ways To Die when I watched that.

I also found the use of cheesy jokes annoying as opposed to entertaining. However, if you're bored and need a distraction or background noise, season two is on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. And, if this show interests you, check out 1000 ways to die (if you haven't already).

The show is amazing, the narration is good overall, only issue is overworking on the title after each and every single death

[taha-k · 4/10 · 20 March 2017]

I would have easily given this series an 8 or 9, but the overworking of the title is horrible. As others have pointed it out already, most of the times it feels extremely disrespectful towards the victims and their families. Other times it feels they are trying to turn serious and horrific tragedies into dark humor, but I am certain the humor really doesn't go well even within that category.

If you want to enjoy watching it, then my suggestion is that their template will be pretty obvious after you watch a couple of episodes. Just skip 10-20 secs as soon as you realize this template is coming

'stupid humor--> led to --> Curious and Unusual death'

The Narrator has a deep and soothing voice, I pity the poor guy who always had to keep saying what his idiotic writer wrote for him.

Interesting, though if I spotted a few errors it made me wonder if there were more

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 11 January 2017]

"Curious and Unusual Deaths" is a creepy Canadian television series that is currently streaming on Netflix. Not surprisingly, it's not a show for the squeamish, as it's all about death. However, in a morbid way it is fascinating and very watchable. Each episode consists of several deaths being described and re-enacted along with experts discussing the unusual deaths. The deaths in each show all have some sort of similarity (such as those about sports in the first episode and do it yourself projects in the third in season two).

While I enjoyed the show, the quality of the research seemed iffy at times. Without even trying to find mistakes, I quickly noticed two. In episode 1, the narrator talked about a guy trying to catch kingfish and walleye in the Gulf of Mexico. Well, I live along the Gulf and would LOVE to catch a walleye...but can't because they are freshwater fish and are found no where near the Gulf. Also, episode 3 talks about a strange death in New Carrollton, Maryland---a town I lived near for over 20 years. Yet, oddly, they mispronounced the name at one point and no one seemed to catch it. These things certainly did not ruin the show, but made me wonder why the mistakes weren't caught by someone associated with the show.

UPDATE: Since my review, I've seen some more episodes. The fifth one of season two is problematic, as the murder of Rasputin is clearly overstated and filled with myth. Sloppy. And, in the next episode, they repeated a myth about British pilots and carrots. REALLY sloppy!

Over dramatized and disrespectful, but still too interested not to watch

[asirname · 5/10 · 1 February 2018]

I would watch it for the knowledge you can gain and the warnings. However it is odd and more unnerving than need be. Overdoing and dragging out the drama, trying to make cute or clever segway and summaries, repeating scenes and lines over and over. With a little change this could really be my of tea.

This show could be a lot better

[kenyae-cagle · 5/10 · 2 August 2017]

When it comes to the stories of other peoples lives in this show all of the deaths have clear and understandable reasons of why they died. Nothing was really curious and unusual. I do not like this show because of the simple explanations but this show tries to make it seem like these deaths have some mysterious issue or deaths. I feel this show should have just been considered for 1000 ways to die rather than anything else. In total this show could get some work done the right way.