It’s been three years since we’ve seen a collaboration between director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman. The pair is responsible for hits like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Corpse Bride, among others. Finally, they teamed up again for Netflix’s Wednesday and did not disappoint.
I grew up watching the original The Addams Family (the one from the 60s), so I couldn’t wait to see Netflix’s take on the classic. Wednesday boasted an impressive cast – with Jenna Ortega (You, X) as the title character. Other notable cast members include Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams and Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester. Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones) and Christina Ricci (Addams Family Values) appear as two new characters written for the show: Principal Weems and Marilyn Thornhill, respectively.
Wednesday puts a new spin on an old favorite. Think The Addams Family meets Harry Potter. After Wednesday lands herself in trouble for wreaking too much havoc on her “normal” high school classmates, she’s sent to Nevermore Academy – a school that claims to “nurture outcasts, freaks, and monsters.”
Nevermore’s dark hallways, magical students, and mythical creatures are reminiscent of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But, Wednesday doesn’t want to be there. The dark, morbid, and moody teenager can’t stand her roommate Enid (Emma Myers), a perky werewolf. She also doesn’t care to fit in with her other peers, like a mysterious artist named Xavier (Percy Hynes White), and a cunning siren named Bianca (Joy Sunday).
Unlike previous versions of The Addams Family, Wednesday has psychic abilities that get her into and out of trouble. Her visions put her at the center of a mystery on Nevermore’s campus. A terrifying monster is murdering staff members and students. It’s up to Wednesday to work with her unlikely new friends to get to the bottom of it all.
Ortega masterfully channels Wednesday’s brooding energy, sharp wit, and monotonous tone. Another win for the series is the many references to its predecessors.
Netflix’s Wednesday is a beautiful study of the show’s titular character.
The show pays homage to the 1964 theme song by using its iconic double snap as a plot device. A scene with Pilgrims and a canoe race reference the first Thanksgiving play from Addams Family Values. Additionally, the casting of Ricci is an Easter egg in itself, since she starred as Wednesday in the aforementioned movie.
Wednesday went wrong by leaning too much into the “Harry Potter of it all” and failing to focus on the beloved Addams Family members. Fan favorites Uncle Fester, Pugsley, and Lurch barely got any screen time. The normally lovable Morticia and Gomez Addams were reduced to annoying caricatures of themselves. Many people see the original portrayal of husband and wife as “couples goals,” with their romantic displays of affection. But in this series, it was over-the-top and cheesy.
Additionally, Morticia and Wednesday were at odds for most of the show. It’s a stark contrast to their relationship in previous shows and films. This was most likely a move to show how difficult mother-daughter relationships can be, but it didn’t feel true to the characters’ form. Thankfully, nothing changed about Thing, the disembodied hand, and The Addamses’ trusty companion. He was as funny and endearing as his former renditions.
I’m excited about the future of the series, and Ortega’s promising career.
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Criticism aside Wednesday is an enjoyable series. Its talented cast and intriguing plot deem it worthy of a watch. Elfman’s whimsically dark score perfectly complements the storyline. Burton’s signature gothic aesthetic is a cozy, familiar space for millennials who grew up watching his movies.
