Created By: Tim Burton

Starring: Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci, and Emma Myers

Rating: 3.8/5

If 2022 brought one good thing, it is the Netflix original series “Wednesday”. Released in November 2022,  “Wednesday” has taken the world by storm becoming the most streamed Netflix series ever. The spin-off of “The Addams Family” franchise has had Tim Burton take over the franchise and give his creepy input on the character.

 “Wednesday” follows Wednesday Addams as she attends Nevermore Academy, a school full of witches, werewolves, and everything in between. While attending the school Wednesday uses her psychic abilities to catch a serial killer striking all over town and endangering her fellow students. 

 Jenna Ortega delivers a fresh approach to the timeless character. While the storyline is phenomenal, It could be better for a film since some episodes felt drawn out and uneventful. While the pace feels slow at times, the last two episodes kick the story into high gear and have fans on the edge of their seats. With stunning production design to fit the Addams Family vibe, Tim Burton’s vision exceeded expectations.  “Wednesday” was filmed in classic Netflix original standard. The series took a great approach to the sound design to make viewers equal parts creeped out and satisfied with the show. I found the most interesting aspect of the show to be Wednesday’s character arc. When she arrives at Nevermore Academy, she is cruel and dark, but as the season progresses viewers get to see a softer, more caring side of her character and it is truly endearing to watch.

Ortega spoke on her role in “Wednesday” by telling PEOPLE Magazine, “I had to do things a bit different with my physicality and the way I carried myself. She almost has a social awkwardness. So when she does toxic, manipulative things, you know it’s not coming out of malicious intent.” Ortega delivers the performance of a lifetime with this highly difficult role. She shockingly portrays the role with ease, and many fans didn’t realize that she does not blink in a single shot the entire season. A small detail that goes the extra mile.

Jenna Ortega has been around the entertainment industry longer than many realize. She started her career on Disney Channel, starring as Harley Diaz in “Stuck In The Middle”. Then moved to the big screen starring as Vada in the HBO Max original film “The Fallout”, and then as Tara in “Scream” leading to critics predicting she would be films newest “Scream Queen”. She has proven to be an asset to the entertainment industry and “Wednesday” just solidified this. 

The series has a ton of controversy surrounding it and Ortega. Ortega had been deemed highly irresponsible and disrespectful after a behind-the-scenes fact was leaked to the public. Ortega revealed that she had Covid while filming the iconic dance scene and has faced backlash from fans. Besides this, her fans were upset that she didn’t reach out to the previous holders of the Wednesday role to see how they played it. But, honestly, she didn’t have to, her original take has blown the predecessors out of the water. Rotten Tomatoes scored Wednesday at 71% critics rate and 87% audience rate. CNN claimed the show is “seeking to bring something new to a property like the Addams Family, which has been done so many times before, isn’t easy without altering its DNA. To its credit, Wednesday rises to the challenge and mostly manages to make it look like a snap”. “Wednesday” is a must-watch for Jenna Ortega and “Addams Family” fans alike!
Follow @LizIppolito
Follow @Q30Entertain