Released in 2022, the first season of “Wednesday” joined a long lineage of “The Addams Family” adaptations. First imagined through Charles Addams’ The New Yorker cartoons, “The Addams Family” grew into a staple of American pop culture through countless films, animated series and even Broadway productions.
Director Tim Burton, known for his gothic visual style, chose rising star Jenna Ortega to craft a series that balanced horror, comedy and coming-of-age drama. Proving Burton’s casting decisions to be the right call, Ortega’s performance quickly turned “Wednesday” into a Netflix phenomenon while cementing her role as a Gen Z icon. Season 2 premiered on Aug. 6, with the second part of the new season releasing after a Netflix launch party featuring Lady Gaga, who makes a cameo on the show. This season of “Wednesday” aired not just as a series, but as an event, echoing Netflix’s mission to create a binge-worthy, conversation-driving series.
On brand with major streaming services, the almost three-year gap between season 1 and 2 came as a result of packed schedules for actors, production delays and recent labor strikes that reshaped Hollywood timelines. Season 2 finally landed this fall, and the question was simple: could “Wednesday” live up to its breakout debut?
Leaning into Burton’s gothic world-building, Season 2 expanded its focus on Nevermore Academy and the ensemble cast. However, even while expanding on other character arcs, Ortega continues to anchor the show with a sharp, witty and emotionally intricate performance. While the pacing slows to balance more subplots than season one, Wednesday shines when returning to the dry wit and unapologetic “outcast-ness” fans are hoping for.
Visually, the series remains striking. Burton’s fingerprints are all over the set design and costuming, clearly benefiting from a larger budget and setting a record for the largest production in Ireland. The eerie soundtrack produced by Chris Bacon and Danny Elfman aids Burton’s visuals with a mix of macabre and modern themes.
What makes “Wednesday” stand out in the crowded streaming landscape is its ability to feel familiar yet fresh. In an era where audiences grow increasingly weary of remakes and adaptations, “Wednesday” brings a unique refresh to a nearly 100-year-old brand. For longtime fans of Burton’s work and “The Addams Family” mythos, it nods to tradition and a nostalgic concept. But for new viewers, it captures the humor and isolation of teenage identity in the digital age through a darkly comedic lens.
The first season established an “occult” following and drove Ortega into the spotlight, but Season 2, while not quite capturing the novelty of the first, deepens the mythology and gives Ortega more room to own the role. Season 2 proves “Wednesday” has the legs to become a new franchise — and further shows Ortega’s undeniable star power.
3 ½ out of 5 corpses.
