Chilling Adventures of Sabrina arrives on Netflix in 2018 as a dark reinvention of the Archie Comics character, and it mostly delivers on the promise of its title. The show takes Sabrina Spellman out of her familiar suburban sitcom setting and drops her into a world of witches, demons, and occult rituals. It is a bold move, and for the most part, it pays off.
The series follows Sabrina as she struggles between her human mother and her witch father, trying to resist the temptation of power while protecting her friends from supernatural threats. The show is visually striking, with a moody color palette and a sense of dread that carries through its ten episodes. It also has a strong cast, led by Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina, who brings a quiet intensity to the role.
Trailer, via Still Watching Netflix.
The Dark Magic Formula
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina leans heavily on horror tropes, borrowing from classic supernatural films and literature. The show’s creators, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Carla Sorrentino, have said they were inspired by authors like Stephen King and Clive Barker. That influence shows in the show’s pacing, which favors slow-burn tension over fast action.
The first season is structured around Sabrina’s coming-of-age ritual, which forces her to choose between two worlds. She must either sign a contract with Lucifer or reject the power of magic entirely. This setup gives the show a central conflict that drives its narrative forward. The show also introduces a host of supporting characters, including Sabrina’s aunts, her best friend Rosalind, and her boyfriend Harvey, each of whom plays a role in the unfolding plot.
The show’s handling of its mythology is uneven. Some plot threads feel rushed, while others drag. The pacing suffers in the middle of the season, particularly during the stretch where Sabrina’s friends are captured and the show spends several episodes in a holding pattern. These moments test the audience’s patience, even as the final stretch builds toward a satisfying conclusion.
“Sabrina’s power was too great for her to control.”
Kiernan Shipka’s Performance
Kiernan Shipka is the reason the show works. Her performance is understated and precise, capturing the weight of Sabrina’s dual identity without ever tipping into melodrama. She carries the emotional core of the show, and her scenes with her aunts and her friends are some of the strongest in the series.
The show also benefits from a solid supporting cast. Madchen Amick plays Sabrina’s mother, Veronica, with a warm presence that contrasts sharply with her cold demeanor. Lucy Davis plays Sabrina’s aunt Hilda, bringing a grounded humor to a character who could easily slip into caricature. Chance Perdomo plays Sabrina’s uncle Ambrose with a flamboyant energy that anchors the show’s more absurd moments.
The show’s villains are less successful. Satan, played by James Marsters, is a charismatic presence, but he feels underdeveloped. The show tries to make him a tragic figure, but the writing often fails to land the intended emotional beats. Other villains, such as the Black Thorn cult, are more effective, thanks to their grim and unsettling presence.
The Craft of the Show
The production design is a highlight of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The show’s sets are elaborate, with detailed props and costumes that ground the fantasy elements in a tangible reality. The town of Greendale feels lived-in, with its streets and buildings rendered with care. The show’s use of lighting is also notable, with shadows and darkness used to create a sense of unease.
The show’s score, composed by Christopher Lennertz, is atmospheric and moody. It complements the visuals without overpowering them, providing a subtle layer of tension that enhances the overall tone. The show also includes a few musical numbers, which are a mixed bag. Some are well-integrated, while others feel like filler.
The show’s writing is competent but occasionally clunky. The dialogue can be stiff, and some of the exposition feels heavy-handed. The show’s reliance on flashbacks and voiceovers to explain its mythology can break the flow of the story. However, when the show commits to its characters and its world, it shines.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is at its best when it focuses on its characters and its world. The show’s exploration of Sabrina’s identity, her relationships, and her moral dilemmas is handled with a sincerity that resonates. The show also excels at creating a sense of dread, using its supernatural elements to build a palpable atmosphere of fear.
The show’s weaknesses are primarily structural. Its pacing issues, particularly in the middle of the season, are a significant hurdle. The show also struggles with its mythology, which can feel convoluted and under-explained. Some plot threads are left unresolved, leaving the audience wanting more.
The show’s depiction of gender and sexuality is also worth noting. The show handles its LGBTQ+ characters with a degree of sensitivity, though there are moments where the representation feels limited. The show’s treatment of women is more problematic, with some female characters reduced to stereotypes. However, the show’s commitment to its main character, Sabrina, is unwavering.
The Legacy of the Show
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was renewed for a second season after its first ten episodes aired. The show continued to explore Sabrina’s dual identity, her relationships, and her moral dilemmas in subsequent seasons. The show’s influence can be seen in other supernatural teen dramas that followed it, which also drew on horror tropes and dark mythology.
The show’s success on Netflix helped establish it as a key entry in the genre. Its visual style and its commitment to its characters made it a standout among similar shows. The show’s legacy is secure, and its impact on the genre is evident in the shows that followed it.
Final Word
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a worthy addition to the growing genre of supernatural teen dramas. It is visually striking, well-acted, and often tense. It is also flawed, with pacing issues and a mythology that sometimes overreaches. Despite these flaws, the show succeeds because it commits to its characters and its world.
The show’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre. It is not a perfect show, but it is a compelling one. The show’s final episode, which resolves the season-long conflict, provides a satisfying payoff to the show’s central premise.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina earns a score of 7.4 out of 10.
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