Monsters, Murder, Mayhem, What's Not to Love?
Netflix brings Wednesday, a creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky show, to audiences.
By Sharon Kim
Netflix brings Wednesday, a creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky show, to audiences.
By Sharon Kim
If “Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss” was a Netflix show, it would be Wednesday, now streaming in its entirety. After premiering on Nov. 23, fittingly on a Wednesday, fans were hyped to see a previously adored character now the star of her own show.
After getting kicked out of her old school for attempted murder, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) begins attending the, Nevermore Academy, a school for the supernatural. However, right as she plans her escape, wanting to run from her parents’ watchful eye, a strange prophecy and visions lure her back, and Wednesday is not one to pass up a challenge.
“Wednesday” is all that I could wish for and more in a show. It has fencing, dancing and convincing cello performances as well as a captivating mystery that has you spinning in circles as to who the real villain is. Even though I haven’t seen the original “Addams Family” movies, I still got such a kick out of this show seeing how I binged it all in two days. With such a witty and sharp-tongued protagonist, it made many exchanges in the series sassy and fun.
Christina Ricci, who iconically played the character in the ‘90s movies came back as a side character named Marilyn Thornhilll, a call back for old fans. Jenna Ortega did an excellent job spinning a beloved character to be her own while keeping the general vibe the same. From practicing the cello, choreographing the now-iconic dance number and even doing her own stunts, it's obvious how much care Ortega puts into this role.
I love the way Wednesday herself is written. She’s cold, calculating and morbid. She uses deception and manipulation to get what she wants and doesn’t apologize for how she is. However, as morally gray as she is, she isn’t without her standards and boundaries. I was taken aback how her character in the series was painted as a hero of sorts. She doesn’t mind dismembering a limb or two, but it's usually for a just cause. She takes a stand when no one will and does whatever it takes to right a wrong. I really appreciate the complexity given to her character.
As much as I love this series and all that it has to offer, one gripe I have is with the romance. I’m not a fan of the love triangle trope that really ended up being a love corner between two male interests. I’m also bummed because her character gave me the impression that she may be aromantic asexual for the fact that she declared at the beginning of the series that she is not interested in falling in love, being a housewife or settling down. Just with her personality, it didn’t make sense for her to be caught up with love. Then again, that is all my own speculation. However, a pairing in the show I enjoyed would be Wednesday and Enid’s (Emma Myers). They have much better chemistry and have an “opposites attract” kinda vibe. The progression in their relationship throughout the series and their contrasting dynamic always drew me in. I’m eagerly looking forward to any future interactions between them in a possible season two.
All in all, this show was strangely addicting. From the times I cringed, laughed and cried out in anguish, “Wednesday” was comedic gold with a hint of mystery and suspense. I recommend giving this show a shot.
Season 1 of “Wednesday” is streaming on Netflix.
After getting kicked out of her old school for attempted murder, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) begins attending the, Nevermore Academy, a school for the supernatural. However, right as she plans her escape, wanting to run from her parents’ watchful eye, a strange prophecy and visions lure her back, and Wednesday is not one to pass up a challenge.
“Wednesday” is all that I could wish for and more in a show. It has fencing, dancing and convincing cello performances as well as a captivating mystery that has you spinning in circles as to who the real villain is. Even though I haven’t seen the original “Addams Family” movies, I still got such a kick out of this show seeing how I binged it all in two days. With such a witty and sharp-tongued protagonist, it made many exchanges in the series sassy and fun.
Christina Ricci, who iconically played the character in the ‘90s movies came back as a side character named Marilyn Thornhilll, a call back for old fans. Jenna Ortega did an excellent job spinning a beloved character to be her own while keeping the general vibe the same. From practicing the cello, choreographing the now-iconic dance number and even doing her own stunts, it's obvious how much care Ortega puts into this role.
I love the way Wednesday herself is written. She’s cold, calculating and morbid. She uses deception and manipulation to get what she wants and doesn’t apologize for how she is. However, as morally gray as she is, she isn’t without her standards and boundaries. I was taken aback how her character in the series was painted as a hero of sorts. She doesn’t mind dismembering a limb or two, but it's usually for a just cause. She takes a stand when no one will and does whatever it takes to right a wrong. I really appreciate the complexity given to her character.
As much as I love this series and all that it has to offer, one gripe I have is with the romance. I’m not a fan of the love triangle trope that really ended up being a love corner between two male interests. I’m also bummed because her character gave me the impression that she may be aromantic asexual for the fact that she declared at the beginning of the series that she is not interested in falling in love, being a housewife or settling down. Just with her personality, it didn’t make sense for her to be caught up with love. Then again, that is all my own speculation. However, a pairing in the show I enjoyed would be Wednesday and Enid’s (Emma Myers). They have much better chemistry and have an “opposites attract” kinda vibe. The progression in their relationship throughout the series and their contrasting dynamic always drew me in. I’m eagerly looking forward to any future interactions between them in a possible season two.
All in all, this show was strangely addicting. From the times I cringed, laughed and cried out in anguish, “Wednesday” was comedic gold with a hint of mystery and suspense. I recommend giving this show a shot.
Season 1 of “Wednesday” is streaming on Netflix.