Netflix’s Wednesday is a strange beast. It is a Tim Burton-directed, Supernatural-inspired, coming-of-age story about a teenage girl trying to solve a murder while also navigating high school, her family’s history, and her own identity. It is also a horror-comedy, a mystery, and a character study wrapped in a gothic costume drama. The result is uneven, but it has enough charm and clever writing to keep viewers hooked through its eight episodes.
The show follows Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, as she attends Nevermore Academy, a school for young adults with supernatural abilities. Her father, Gomez Addams, played by Luis Guzmán, runs the school, and her mother, Morticia, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, is also involved in the institution’s inner workings. Wednesday is tasked with solving the death of a student, but her investigation leads her deeper into the school’s dark secrets and her own family’s past.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Jenna Ortega Carries the Show
Jenna Ortega is the heart of Wednesday. She plays the titular character with a deadpan wit that perfectly captures the essence of the Addams family. Her performance is nuanced, showing Wednesday’s intelligence, loneliness, and growing sense of purpose. Ortega carries the emotional weight of the story without ever overplaying it, making Wednesday feel like a real teenager trapped in an odd world.
The supporting cast is strong, especially Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia. Her performance is elegant and commanding, bringing a regal presence to the character. Zeta-Jones plays Morticia with a quiet strength, and her scenes with Ortega crackle with chemistry. The dynamic between mother and daughter forms the emotional core of the series.
Luis Guzmán brings warmth to Gomez, playing him as a loving father who struggles with the responsibilities of running Nevermore Academy. He is goofy and earnest, and his interactions with Wednesday are tender. The chemistry between the three actors is undeniable, and their scenes together make the show feel grounded despite its fantastical setting.
Tim Burton’s Direction
Tim Burton directs the entire series, and his visual style is immediately recognizable. The show is shot in a dark, moody palette, with shadowy lighting and Gothic architecture. The sets are elaborate, with stone corridors, flickering candles, and ornate decorations that evoke a sense of decay and mystery. Burton’s direction creates a world that feels lived-in and dangerous, and the cinematography is consistently striking.
The music also contributes to the atmosphere. A mix of orchestral pieces and eerie sound design fills the background, creating tension even during quieter scenes. The score swells during pivotal moments, and the overall sonic landscape supports the show’s tone effectively.
The Murder Mystery
The central plot revolves around a student’s death at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday is assigned to investigate, and her sleuthing takes her through a web of lies, secrets, and supernatural threats. The mystery is competently constructed, with clues scattered throughout the season that pay off in the finale. However, the pacing is slow in the middle episodes, and some subplots feel underdeveloped.
The show does a good job of building suspense, but it occasionally leans too heavily on exposition. Characters explain things to each other in ways that feel unnatural, and some reveals come across as convenient rather than earned. The mystery is ultimately satisfying, but the journey to get there could have been tighter.
Comedy and Tone
Wednesday tries to balance horror with humor, and the comedy often overshadows the scares. There are genuinely funny moments, particularly in the dialogue and in the interactions between Wednesday and her friends. The show’s attempts at humor are mostly successful, though some jokes land flat due to the show’s inconsistent tone.
The show’s humor comes from Wednesday’s dry wit and her interactions with her classmates. Her sarcastic comments and deadpan reactions provide much of the series’ comic relief. The show also explores her relationships with her friends, adding a layer of teenage angst to the mystery. These moments work because they feel natural, even within the show’s larger, more fantastical framework.
Supernatural Threads
The supernatural aspects of the show are handled with varying degrees of success. Some creatures and abilities are well-integrated into the story, while others feel like plot devices without much depth. The show touches on themes of destiny, family legacy, and the nature of evil, but these ideas are often left underexplored.
The show’s handling of its supernatural elements is uneven. Some creatures are introduced with flair and terror, while others feel like throwaway obstacles. The show also explores the idea of destiny and the weight of family legacy, but these themes are often left unexplored fully. The show hints at larger cosmic forces at play, but it never fully commits to them.
Middle Episodes Lag
The middle of the season drags. Episodes four and five feel like filler, with repetitive sequences and a lack of forward momentum. The show recycles its settings and conflicts, which dilutes the tension built up in earlier episodes. This pacing issue is the show’s biggest flaw, as it undermines the tension that the finale tries to build.
The middle episodes are where the show loses steam. They revisit familiar locations and repeat similar conflicts, which stretches the narrative. The pacing slows, and some viewers might find themselves checking their watches during these stretches. The show’s runtime is generous, and some of that generosity shows in these episodes.
Finale Pays Off
The finale is a strong payoff. It ties together the mystery, the supernatural threads, and the personal stakes for Wednesday. The resolution is satisfying, even if some loose ends remain unresolved. The final act raises questions that set up potential future seasons, leaving the audience wanting more.
The finale delivers on multiple fronts. It resolves the murder mystery with a twist that honors the show’s tone. It also addresses the supernatural threats that have haunted the series, giving viewers closure on those threads. The episode also focuses on Wednesday’s personal growth, showing how her investigation has changed her. The finale is a strong ending, even if it leaves some questions open for a potential second season.
What Works Best
- Jenna Ortega’s performance as Wednesday
- Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán’s chemistry
- Tim Burton’s visual style
- The finale’s payoff
- The show’s exploration of family legacy
What Needs Improvement
- The middle episodes’ pacing
- Some underdeveloped subplots
- Exposition-heavy dialogue
- Uneven handling of supernatural elements
Wednesday is a watchable, occasionally brilliant show that stumbles in its middle stretch. The lead performances are outstanding, and the finale lands with real weight. The show’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, but its uneven pacing and underdeveloped threads hold it back from greatness. It is a solid addition to Netflix’s slate, worth a look for fans of horror-comedy and supernatural storytelling.
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