Wednesday (Netflix series, 2022)
Wednesday is an offbeat teen horror comedy set in a Harry Potter-like boarding school.
There’s much to like about the first couple of episodes of the Wednesday (Addams) series.
First of all, it is part of the Addams Family universe, which by itself is a plus in my book.
Four episodes of this spin-off series where directed by Tim Burton, whose unique visual style is another major selling point.
Also, the series stars rising star Jenna Ortega as the title character, a young and versatile actress whose talent for deadpan delivery shines through in every scene.
Fortunately, this jauntily macabre show is also good, judged on its own merits. The writing is sharp, the production design looks magnificent, there are some inspired musical choices and the actors all get their chance to shine.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luiz Guzman have wonderful chemistry as Wednesday’s parents Morticia and Gomez, even though they are not the main stars of the show.
Isaac Ordonez makes the character of Wednesday’s brother Pugsley more lovable than before and this time out even Thing (Victor Dorobantu) is a fully rounded character.
As this is is a spin-off series there are a lot of new characters that Wednesday meets when she is in school. For starters, there is her kooky roommate Enid (Emma Myers), who is also a werewolf. There are the possible romantic interests Tyler (Hunter Doohan) and Xavier (Percy Hynes-White). And then there are the adults who make her life harder than it has to be: principal Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie), sheriff Donovan (Jamie McShane) and Wednesday’s therapist Dr. Valerie Kinbott (Riki Lindholme).
Also of note, Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in the Barry Sonnenfeld films, returns as one of the teachers, Marilyn Thornhill.
Not all these new characters are as interesting as Wednesday and the series is at its best when it keeps the focus firmly on its leading lady.
Also, some of the special effects are a bit ho-hum, but I’d like to think the cynical dialogues are more important here.
The series tells the story of Wednesday's time as a student at Nevermore Academy. This Gothic Latina detective, who is also a budding writer and musician. has a lot on her plate: not only does she have to master her emerging psychic ability, she also has to stop a monstrous killing spree that has terrorized the local town, and solve the supernatural mystery that embroiled her parents 25 years ago.
All in all this young adult series offers a great mixture of, on the one hand, offbeat teen comedies like Clueless and Mean Girls. Fused with a Harry Potter-like setting (there is even a variation on Quidditch) and some Scream and Carrie-like horrible vibes thrown in for good measure.
This mix is simply irresistible and I’m guessing Wednesday will be a pretty big hit.