CNN
—
The protagonist’s name in “Wednesday” was inspired by the poetic line “Wednesday’s child is full of woe,” but the character herself is anything but woeful. Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of the now-high-school-aged daughter of the Addams Family brings a delightful and unique twist to the classic gothic sociopath archetype. The Netflix series is more eccentric than eerie, offering a kooky and captivating experience.
Director Tim Burton successfully captures the perfect visual tone for “Wednesday,” blending comedy and macabre elements reminiscent of his iconic film “Edward Scissorhands.” Teaming up with “Smallville” producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who have experience in creating TV shows centered around extraordinary teenagers, adds an extra layer of expertise to the series. When Wednesday enrolls in the peculiar Nevermore Academy, she confides in the headmistress about her constant school transfers, stating, “They haven’t built one strong enough to hold me.”
Nevermore Academy, with its Poe-etic name, serves as a haven for the strange and witchy. The supernatural ambiance of the school gives off a Hogwarts or X-Men vibe, paying homage to Charles Addams’ iconic comic strip.
In addition to coping with newfound psychic abilities and the accompanying strange visions, Wednesday finds herself wrapped up in a mysterious and captivating puzzle. She transforms into an ill-tempered, black-clad version of Nancy Drew, determined to uncover the truth behind the enigma, which gradually starts pointing back to her own family history.
“Wednesday” may rely on familiar genre elements, but the combination of these elements works exceptionally well. The series offers a delectable blend of ingredients, from the impeccable performances by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman as Wednesday’s parents, Morticia and Gomez, to the fan-favorite character Thing, who cleverly acquires a desired dress through a “five-fingered discount.” The writers skillfully extract ample comedic moments from this appendage, showcasing their ingenuity.
What truly sets “Wednesday” apart from similar shows (such as Netflix’s “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) is Jenna Ortega’s exceptional portrayal. Ortega manages to capture the essence of the character flawlessly, portraying a relentlessly strange and intense persona while remaining oddly endearing. It is no small feat to convey a character who always maintains a calm demeanor, never raising her voice or cracking a smile.
The inclusion of Christina Ricci, who previously portrayed Wednesday in the 1990s movies, as a part of the school staff adds a delightful touch to the series. Additionally, the local sheriff dismissively referring to Wednesday and her friends as “the Scooby gang” adds another layer of depth and entertainment to the show, operating on multiple levels.
As the serialized story unfolds over eight episodes, “Wednesday” may lose some of its initial impact and the ending may become chaotic. However, this is to be expected given the nature of the source material, which focuses more on witty jokes than a grand narrative. Nevertheless, “Wednesday” commendably takes on the challenge of bringing something new to the well-known Addams Family franchise without straying too far from its core essence.
“Wednesday” will premiere on November 23 on Netflix.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
