‘The Curse’ Is a Pulpy and Self-Aware Heist Series

“Some of this might need occurred,” “The Curse” declares on the high of every episode. The present is loosely impressed by the 1983 Brink’s-Mat theft in London, when robbers stole a mountain of gold bullion from a vault and largely evaded seize. As with many plundered caches, although, these bricks got here at a value, and the place cash led, distress adopted.

But veracity claims really feel inappropriate for “The Curse” — a British present that debuted in 2022, to not be confused with the unrelated 2023 Showtime sequence starring Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone — which shines brilliant sufficient on its specifics, its self-aware pulp and particularly its antsy momentum.

Our doomed squad facilities on the calculating cafe proprietor Natasha (Emer Kenny), her bumbling husband, Albert (Allan Mustafa), and her much more bumbling brother, Sidney (Steve Stamp, who additionally created the present). Mick (Tom Davis) is the muscle, however undoubtedly not the brains, and Phil (Hugo Chegwin) is satisfied he’s the group’s chief — which the others dispute.

In the very best methods, the present feels as if “Breaking Bad” have been occurring to “Bob’s Burgers.” Anxious wannabe-tough guys argue over inane trivia whereas fumbling their method by the prison underworld. After Phil offers a grandiose pronouncement, Mick asks if he’s quoting the Bible. “It’s our new Bible,” Phil says. “‘Scarface.’”

The Brink’s-Mat theft was not too long ago the idea for the additionally terrific 2023 mini-series “The Gold,” which is witty however takes a extra grounded strategy. “The Curse” is extra cartoonish, mixing sitcom one-liners with flashes of abrupt violence — neurotic, endearing infighting within the foreground, worldwide crime rings within the background. The plotting is brisk approaching breakneck, which highlights simply how a lot its ding-a-ling characters are struggling to maintain up, getting each luckier and unluckier at each flip.

Episodes of “The Curse” are a half-hour, and most finish on cliffhangers, so the present is virtually begging to be binged. Season 1, obtainable on Amazon Prime Video and BritBox, begins with the heist and ends with an ideal escape; Season 2, obtainable on BritBox solely, is ready in Spain, the place characters are avoiding extradition, constructing a water park and making an attempt to interrupt into the cocaine business.