A Darkly Humorous Journey of Self-Discovery

Read Time:3 Minute, 42 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
Wednesday: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
TV-14 –

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
Year Released: 2022 -,2024 Blu-ray
Runtime: 8 x 45m episodes
Director(s): Tim Burton, James Marshall, Gandja Monteiro
Creator/Writer(s): Charles Addams (based on characters created by,) Alfred Gough (series created by) (written by) (4 episodes, 2022,) Miles Millar (series created by) (written by) (4 episodes, 2022,) Kayla Alpert (written by) (2 episodes, 2022,) April Blair (written by) (2 episodes, 2022,) Matt Lambert (written by) (1 episode, 2022)
Cast: Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes White, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Naomi J. Ogawa, Moosa Mostafa, Christina Ricci
Where To Watch: available March 26, 2024; pre-order your copy here www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Step into the shadowy halls of Nevermore Academy with WEDNESDAY and open up Pandora's box of gothic wonders (albeit a little too consumer-friendly version, if I had to pick a complaint) masterfully tied together by Jenna Ortega's stellar performance. This series spins a web of dark humor and mystery around its protagonist, Wednesday Addams, casting her in a light unlike before. From her forced exit from the mundane world of regular high school due to an, let's say, "unusual" incident to uncovering her unique abilities, WEDNESDAY is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Get ready to bring home the journey on Blu-ray for your very own!

At its core, the series has a diverse cast of characters, each adding a splash of color (or darkness) to the narrative. Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers,) the vibrant werewolf roommate, and Xavier Thorpe (Percy Hynes White), the mysterious artist, are just the tip of the iceberg in a school that's anything but typical. Tim Burton may have only directed the first few episodes, but his distinctive fingerprints weave through the series, marrying his gothic aesthetic with the storyline.

WEDNESDAY goes beyond mere entertainment and enjoyment, expanding on the lore of the Addams family and offering a deep dive into the family's rich history. It respects Charles Addams' original creation while boldly journeying into new territory. The story is enhanced by the contributions of Gwendoline Christie and Joy Sunday, who, alongside Ortega and the rest of the cast, breathe life into the eccentric and eerie world of Nevermore Academy.

The exploration of themes, such as finding one's identity and the eternal quest for truth amidst layers of mystery, makes WEDNESDAY as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. Ortega's precise timing and delivery of Wednesday's iconic dark humor are comic relief and a sharp commentary that enriches the story, not to mention a dance that even took TikTok by storm!

WEDNESDAY marks a thrilling new chapter in the saga of the Addams Family, skillfully mixing traditional elements with innovative storytelling. The series sets the stage for a deeper exploration of gothic culture and character evolution and establishes a solid groundwork for the adventures that lie ahead for Wednesday. Leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, WEDNESDAY promises that the journey into the quirky, darkly amusing world of the Addams Family is far from over, and the anticipation for what's next is as palpable as the series itself is captivating.

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY HOME ENTERTAINMENT, AMAZON MGM STUDIOS]

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