They’re creepy, and they’re kooky. Mysterious and spooky, altogether ooky, everyone knows the Addams family. The new Netflix original show Wednesday pays homage to the classic series The Addams Family, focusing on now-teen Wednesday Addams. After repeated incidents at her old school, the not-so-neat, sweet and petite teen starts attending Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts that just so happens to be her parents’ alma mater.

Jenna Ortega stars as Wednesday Addams, with Christina Ricci, the original Wednesday actress in the 1991 and 1993 Addams Family films, taking on a supporting role. Luiz Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones play Gomez and Morticia Addams respectively, and rounding out the main cast, Gwendoline Christie, Hunter Doohan, Emma Meyers and Percy Hynes White serve as Wednesday’s entourage. 

Well-known American filmmaker and animator Tim Burton served as director and an executive producer for the series, contributing his notorious gothic flare to the series’ strange, deranged mood. And to polish off the atmosphere, Burton moved all filming to Romania, utilizing the area’s famous gothic architecture. 

The location, complimented with CGI enhancement, perfectly intensifies the story. Using inspiration from Burton’s previous films, the eerie set parallels the drama seen within the script. Additionally, the diverse use of colors within the costumes contrast with each character’s tone, adding to Wednesday’s notorious isolation. The use of CGI perfectly blends the fantasy magic abilities of the outcasts with the real film. Especially in scenes with Thing (Victor Dorobantu), the family’s pet and a disembodied hand of a relative, the use of CGI creates a magical fantasy reality. 

Ortega does an excellent job portraying Wednesday, matching her cold, distant vibes. Although at times the script seems to over-exaggerate aspects of teen life, overall, the show does a wonderful job of captivating the audience’s attention and creating their desired mood. Rated TV-14, Wednesday serves as an excellent show for teens unfamiliar with the series and Addams Family-loving adults alike. 

The series was released on Netflix in late November 2022 and was recently renewed in January 2023 for a second season. To stream Wednesday, go to www.netflix.com or use the Netflix app. 

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