Pickman's Model

"**Pickman's Model**" is the fifth episode of Netflix's *Cabinet of Curiosities*, having premiered on October 27, 2022. It is written by Lee Patterson, based on the short story "Pickman's Model" by H.P. Lovecraft, and directed by Keith Thomas.

## Synopsis

Art student Will meets introvert Richard, whose terrifying works of art begin to have a deeply disturbing effect on Will's sense of reality.

## Plot

### The new student

A man sits, painting a naked woman. She asks how much longer she must remain as she is and he tells her that you can't rush perfection, that she "wouldn't want one hill bigger than the other." "You wouldn't dare," she says. A man's voice shouts downstairs for "Rebecca." She starts to cover up and he says *she* wouldn't dare. She tells "Papa" that she's upstairs and the man bolts out a side door, but not before giving her a kiss, then climbs out a window and jumps to the ground. He takes off on a bike.

The man arrives on the steps of the Miskatonic University and is greeted by a man who calls him "Thurber." He brings him over to two men, telling him to save him from the "philistines." He says the men were railing against the impressionists. The man counters that he just doesn't see what all the fuss is about. They head inside, into a studio where easels are at the ready. The professor, Bosworth, tells them to take their places, saying he has some announcements. He tells them that the deadline for the student art prize is approaching, explaining that the work judge best by the committee is put on display at Arkham Gallery. He tells them that it's an opportunity that can make a young artist. He continues that Mr. Thurber can attest to this. "Quite, sir," agrees the man.

The professor introduces a new addition, a Mr. Pickman. Mr. Pickman takes a space and a mostly nude man comes to the fore of the class and strikes a pose. The professor tells the class that their fifteen minutes begins now. He tells them to draw what they see, but to remember their basic shape and to construct, don't shade. The session continues, the professor walking around, providing advice. Pickman gives bold strokes, seeming to be very into the exercise. Thurber, however, ends early, and sneakily watches what Pickman is doing as he washes up. He seems entranced by Pickman's work. The professor asks if he's finished already and he just stares at Pickman, seeming troubled.

Later, Thurber sits playing cards with his friend and the group of "philistines" from before. The discussion continues, with one of them saying he just doesn't get what's so interesting about them. Thurber's friend says it's because he lacks imagination and that's why Thurber keeps beating him at cards. They say that they should have some of Pickman's imagination. They talk about how he's 80 years old and has a mother from Arkham, his mother committing suicide and his father going mad shortly after. He collected a huge inheritance and traveled around Europe. They say that the point of the class was to draw what you saw, but he drew rotting flesh. "He does draw in the cemetery," one comments.

### Where fear lives

Thurber goes and finds Pickman in the cemetery, commenting that it's early in the evening to be grave-robbing. "What do you have there?" he asks and stares at a dead cat that Pickman is drawing. Pickman says that he thinks the rats got to her. He asks if he does this kind of thing a lot, saying that he saw his piece in Bosworth's class. He tells him he's very good. "I'm not sure he'd agree," replies Pickman and Thurber says that the one thing Bosworth can't abide is talent. "He seems to like your work" notes Pickman.

Thurber suggests he enter for the art prize, but Pickman tells him he's not interested in prizes. Thurber asks what he is interested in. Pickman puts down his sketchbook. Thurber studies the sketches, calling them powerful. Pickman tells him the darkness, the ugliness, the corruption are what he's interested in. He continues that suffering is living, that we cannot let sympathy or altruism shield us from finding the truths of the world. Thurber tells him to not keep it a secret, asking where one finds these elusive truths. "Where fear lives," replies Pickman, taking back the sketchbook.

Thurber returns to his apartment. He paints in a frenzy, drinking heavily. He returns to the University, where his friend comments on his tardiness. He asks if Thurber isn't submitting something and he says that he decided to give the rest of them a chance to impress. He asks how it's going and his friend tells him that Smithfield is saying he has it in the bag. Just then, a group stalks out of the art room. Thurber enters to find Pickman, who complains that it's the wrong audience for his work and he's starting to doubt they have anything truly to teach. Thurber tells him that they have a sort of ritual after a brutal critique, a little fun, and that he should join them. Pickman asks if he wants to see his paintings. Thurber agrees that he would and follows him back to his place. Thurber looks around at the various artwork, noting that there are pieces there that he hasn't shown. Pickman indicates a curtain, telling him that what's behind it is a little stronger than what he's seen before.

### The party

Pickman pulls back a curtain, saying that one of his ancestors was a branded a hex, a sorceress, burned at the stake. He explains that the family gossip claims that this woman, Lavinia, killed her husband during a rite and served his still warm flesh to members of her coven. The painting he shows Thurber depicts exactly this. Thurber stares at the painting, which seems to shimmer and almost come to life in his eyes. Pickman continues that sometimes when he would wake in the night he would hear them through the floor. Pickman hears sounds of laughter himself and clutches his head, trying to shake it off. Pickman asks if he hears them. Thurber walks away and exits the room, vomiting outside. He then seems to encounter the witch herself, who scratches a gash in his chest, only to wake up in his bed. He sighs. It was all a nightmare.

A knock comes on his door. His friend enters, asking if it was a tough night and telling him that it's afternoon. He curses. He then makes his way to an outdoor party, where Rebecca tells him that it's already almost over. He apologizes, saying that he's there now. She asks if he's okay and he says that he is. A man asks his beverage choice and he asks for whiskey. The woman looks dubious and he tells her he's just getting into the swing of things. She introduces him to her aunt, Mrs. Creighton. She tells him that Rebecca has told her he's quite the artist. He nods and Rebecca leaves to find her father. Mrs. Creighton asks about his art. As she continues talking, he seems to see something in the distance and spaces out. He asks to be excused and walks off. He goes to have a drink and is startled by Rebecca. She introduces her father, Charles. He stares, and has a flashback of something he saw that night, of a man with a gash on his head sucking at a woman's breast, apparently the same man. He then sees the image of the witch behind him.

Thurber startles and jumps back. He knocks over a man with some cutlery, then races away. Rebecca walks after him. She shouts at him to stop, asking just what is wrong. "That woman with your father," he tells her, but whoever he saw before isn't there. Rebecca stares, greatly confused. "How di--" stammers Will. He asks what's happening to him. He apologizes. She asks if he really is, that he knows how important this all is to her, but he shows up drunk. "That's my father!" she shouts. She tells him he should go. He begs her to give him a chance, but she says it was all a mistake, that she doesn't recognize him anymore. She walks away. He goes to Pickman's apartment and knocks on the door. When he doesn't answer, he knocks louder and shouts. The door creaks open, but the place appears to be abandoned. Thurber stares around in confusion. All that is left is some murals on a wall, which seem to whisper at him.

### A specter of the past

It is now 1926, around 17 years later. William is in a room with his three friends from ages ago having a discussion about modernism, one of them asking him what their "resident tastemaker" thinks. "I think the two of you enjoy your arguments even more than your art," he quips. He says they're both right, that tradition is important, but art is nothing in the modern world without truth and risk. He goes home, where he meets Rebecca, who his now his wife. She is with their child, the boy James. Thurber gives him a hug. Rebecca shows him some pictures that he drew and Thurber says that he likes the use of color. Thurber and Rebecca go up to bed. Thurber admits to being exhausted, but Rebecca wants to know just how much. They start making love.

That night, Thurber heads downstairs, troubled by something. He hears music and noise in he distance. He opens the kitchen doors only to find an entire crowd at the table. It is the vision from the painting and insects scuttle over the food. Everyone turns to him and stops talking. He clears his throat and on the table, a man's head opens its eyes. Thurber wakes with a start. He goes downstairs and examines something he first took notice of when arriving home earlier in the day. It is a square object wrapped in a large sheet. He takes it to a table and slits open the sheet. It reveals a new, grotesque painting by Pickman. He is immediately struck with a vision of the painting as if it has come to life. He points the knife at it, clutching his head, but then taking the knife and pointing it at his own head instead. As his hands shake, Rebecca enters the room and calls his name.

Will puts down the knife and covers the painting. She asks what's the matter and he tells her it's nothing, that he just couldn't sleep. She asks if he wants some tea and he agrees. He turns off the light, asking if Rebecca met whoever sent the parcel. She replies that whoever it was said that he knew him and that his name was Pickman. Thurber's son enters the room with the painting. He removes the cloth.

That morning, Thurber is in his office. He meets with a man and tells him that the painting is to be returned to the artist along with the check. He tells him he wants it gone today. The man asks if there's an address and Thurber shouts at him to just get it done. "Please," he says, softening the blow. Later, he meets with a Dr. Reid, telling him that his son isn't sleeping much. Dr. Reid asks who they're waiting on and another man enters. Dr. Reid says that he's calling the committee to order, addressing the man, Joe and saying that he looks like that cat that ate the canary. He asks if he will enlighten them and Joe says that he's invited a special guest, that he'd like to invite the group to consider his work for the year's exhibition. "Gentlemen, this is Richard Upton Pickman."

### Old times

Thurber is stunned, but Pickman acts as if nothing odd is going on. Joe says that Pickman has only gotten better with age. He says he asked Pickman to bring along a few paintings and he'd like them to go through the gallery for a viewing. He says they'll find it worth the while. Thurber starts to say that he doesn't think it's a good idea, but Dr. Reid stops him, saying he'll get his turn. Thurber then stops Joe, pleading with him that it's not a good idea. Joe asks if he's afraid of competition. He tells him that he knows Pickman and his work and that it can't be shown at an exhibition. "I never thought of you as a bad sport," replies Joe.

That evening, as Thurber walks home in the rain, he hears a snarling and sees a strange furry creature out of the corner of his eye. Back at home, he gives Rebecca a troubled embrace. She asks where he's been and he tells her he has some things he wants to talk to her about, but he has a monstrous headache. She tells him that they have a guest. The "guest" in question turns out to be Pickman, who is sitting at a table sketching across from their son. He says to Thurber that he hopes he doesn't mind him dropping in, that it's his business to catch the undertones of the soul, that you won't find them on artificial streets or man-made lands. Rebecca talks of old times at the university. Pickman comments that Thurber has grown more sensitive with age and Thurber says it's time to call it a night and put James to bed.

As Thurber shows Pickman out the door, he tells him to come to his house and see the work. "Perhaps you should invite Minot," suggests Thurber. Pickman complains that Minot would never understand. He hands Thurber a card, telling him to think on it. He leaves, saying that he enjoyed his chat with James, that he's a special boy who reminds him a little of himself. Thurber closes the door behind him. Afterwards, Rebecca tells im that he was rude and she was embarrassed. "*You* were embarrassed?" he asks, saying that she was fawning over Pickman like a schoolgirl. She counters that Pickman was the only friend of his who succeeded as an artist, but he doesn't treat him well, that people are talking. She says he's acting strange and it's not just with her, that he's barely home and when he is, it's like he's disappearing from her. She asks if he's drinking again. Thurber tells Rebecca that he's tried to look for the joy and beauty and everything, but around Pickman the darkness has a way of catching him. She replies that life can't always be beautiful.

That night, Thurber wakes to find his hands tied to the bedposts. He struggles and pants, but is unable to free himself. A group of man stand before him, chanting. He pleads with himself to wake away as they continue their bizarre chant in an unknown language. One of them puts a sword to his neck and starts cutting. He bleeds profusely, but does not die. He wakes in horror, clutching his neck, as James shouts from another room. Rebecca and Thurber race in as James mutters "Their mouths, their mouths" and then starts mumbling incoherently. Thurber stares in shock. He goes to a cabinet by his bed and pulls out a gun.

### Only art

That morning, Thurber visits the graveyard where Pickman is sketching. Delighted, Pickman calls it a surprise. "What did you say to my son?" asks Thurber, deadly serious. Pickman asks if he is unwell and Thurber tells him he woke screaming in terror. He gets in Pickman's face, warning him to stay away from his family. Pickman replies that he thought they were friends. Thurber says the balance of their friendship is paid. Pickman tells him it was never about the money, that he values his judgments. He says he knows he wants to see his new paintings, the finest he's done, that he needs him to see them. "No," Thurber tells him. He turns and walks away, but Pickman pursues.

"And if I was to agree to stay away from your family?" he asks. He says he'll offer also to pull out of the exhibition and even stay out of his life forever should he find the paintings unsuitable. "You would do that?" asks Thurber and Pickman tells him he would if he came to his house now. So, Thurber does.

They arrive, the place in a terrible state. Pickman says that seeing it this way must be shocking, but that his work is paramount. He hands him a candle-lamp, telling him that the electricity went out several months back. "This way," he tells him, leading him to a room. He opens the door and they proceed down a passage. He asks Will if he feels the fear as rats skitter around them. He opens another door, but tells Thurber to wait a moment. He opens the door back up and Thurber enters. He shouts at someone to "get down." Thurber proceeds down a stairway into a basement. He stares around at the various paintings, hearing laughter in the distance and voices chanting in the same strange language as before. He picks up a canister and starts tossing gasoline at the paintings. Pickman enters the room and Thurber shouts that someone has to stop him. He tells him his paintings infect his mind.

"It's only art," protests Pickman. Thurber tells him he thought it was him, that he was drink or delirious, but it was the paintings the whole time. He says that what Pickman makes crawls behind his eyes and makes him crazy, that it causes madness. Pickman tells him that it's the world that's mad, and that's what breeds fear, knowing what lurks in the darkness. Thurber tells him to stop it, but he keeps talking. Thurber pleads for him to stop as he goes to open a trunk. He pulls out the gun, asking what he is doing. As Pickman pulls something from the trunk, he shoots him in the chest. "Paint what you see, what is familiar to you," mutters Pickman, on the ground. He tells Thurber that the entities are real and close to him, family portraits. As Thurber stares at the picture, he says the paintings don't come form his head, they come from his life. "Now it's time for you to meet them," he says. "Time to see what awaits us all in the darkness."

### For the feast

Pickman dies, having bled out. There is a clattering and a growling and something emerges from the well next to him. It is a horrifying creature with bloody hands and a grotseque face and teeth. It howls at Thurber and the paintings burst into flames. Thurber backs against the wall, panting in fear. The creature growls, then drags Pickman's body down into the well. Thurber bolts away and up the stairs, escaping the sound of the growling coming from the well.

Thurber, Rebecca and James visit an art gallery. Rebecca tells Thurber that it's extraordinary. He tells her that it was Dr. Reid who did much of the heavy lifting, bidding her to go off and explore, that he wants her to be the first to see "it." A man approaches him and he asks if he's seen Joe. He tells him that Joe was there last night and said he had some final adjustments to make, but he's still there. Thurber asks if he's sure and he says that he is. Thurber walks off, calling after Joe. He hears a distant growling and sees Pickman's paintings on the wall. "Joe?" he asks, troubled. He asks how the paintings can be there, that he watched them burn. He approaches Joe, who is chanting the same strange phrase as the people from his nightmare. He puts his hand on his shoulder and Joe turns to him, his face badly bloodied. He asks him what he's done. "He is coming from the other side... for the feast," Joe tells him.

### In the darkness

Thurber races away, shouting for someone named Gabriel. He finds his wife and son staring at one of the paintings and tells James to go see Gabriel. He asks Rebecca if she's fine, telling her that there's been an accident with Joe. He tells her to take James home immediately. He then tells Gabriel that Joe is hurt and asks him to remove all of Pickman's works from the gallery. Gabriel asks what's happening and Thurber tells him to destroy them and to not look at them, to burn them.

Thurber returns home where he finds his wife at a cutting board, preparing dinner. He tells her it smells delicious. He says he wants to apologize to her for how he's been. He says it's all over now. He puts his hands on her shoulders, saying it will all be better, that he will be better. "It's all over," he tells her, but she just continues chopping. "I know where it lives, Will," she tells him. She turns to him, her face badly bloodied. "I know where fear lives," she says.

There is a cackling in the distance. Thurber shakes his head, backing away. "No, no," he pleads. He tells her he's sorry, that he tried. "You'll spoil the meal," she tells him. He asks her where James is, pointing at her, his finger shaking. He shouts, asking where James is. "Soon we will feast," she tells him, "and it will be glorious, my love. You'll see." She giggles as the oven smokes. Thurber walks over slowly to the oven. The chanting in the background intensifies. He opens it to see a head bubbling in pan over a flame. "Now it's time. Time to see what awaits us all in the darkness" intones Pickman.

## Cast

### Starring

* Guillermo del Toro as Himself
* Ben Barnes as William Thurber
* Crispin Glover as Richard Upton Pickman
* Oriana Leman as Rebecca

### Co-starring

* Seamus Patterson as Joe Minot
* Remy Flint as James
* Thom Nyhuus as Smithfield
* Megan Many as Witch/Lavinia
* Wendy Lyon as Lizzy Creighton
* Thom Marriott as Bosworth
* Laurie Muroch as Dr. Reid
* Sandy Kovack as Dinner Guest/Deacon
* Paul Whitney as Dinner Guest/Czar
* Andrew McGillivray as Dinner Guest/Bohemian Artist
* William Jordan as Dinner Guest/Rasputin
* Mark MacRae as Army Officer
* Matt Lancaster as Surly Bartender
* Jordan Gray as Committee Member
* George Ridout as Gabriel
* Geoffrey Whynot as Rebecca's Father/Charles
* Jonathan Neil Alexander as Doyle
* Bruce Davies as Waiter
* Ed Cz as Life Model
* Crystal Williams as Woman in Carriage

## Music

The musical tracks featured in this episode include "Thurber 1909," "Fifteen Minutes and Rotting Flesh," "Dreams of Horror and Wonder," "Late for Tea," "The Feast, Pt. 1 and Changing Times," "My Work" and "The Feast Pt. 2." The music was composed by Michael Yezerski.

## Trailer

Pickman's Model Official Trailer - GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES - Netflix