Wild For Wednesday: A review of the new Netflix show Wednesday

Before Tim Burton’s “Wednesday,” I didn’t consider myself an Addams Family fanatic, but Netflix’s new original series released on Nov. 23 starring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams changed my mind. The eight-episode series, with each lasting around 45 minutes, is a totally binge-worthy show.

The show’s characters go to Nevermore Academy for “outcasts’” between vampires, physics and Medusa-like beings. Each character has a uniquely lovable personality, between werewolf Enid Sinclair’s positive energy or siren Bianca’s strong independence. After getting expelled from her previous typical high school, the witch-like Wednesday becomes the newest Nevermore Academy student.

Within days of arriving, Wednesday finds out that not only is there a monster on the loose at school, but her father was accused of murder during his own time there. Wednesday quickly makes it her mission to track down the monster and solve the case of her father’s past.

The show always had me wondering first what the monster is and second, who it is. My jaw dropped with every vision Wednesday had. The visions would show a preview of her future and sometimes her family’s past, featuring a relative, Good Addams, who was able to help Wednesday navigate her visions.

The emotions portrayed by the actors and director’s attention to detail is impressive. For example, Ortega only blinked in the rare moments in which she showed emotion. I loved this detail because each time she blinked it was a clue that I had to pay close attention to.

The show hooks you with Wednesday’s rare show of emotions. At the beginning, Wednesday is careful not to become close to anyone, but throughout the show she starts to make friends and even finds herself in a love triangle. 

The best part is Wednesday’s endearing character development, dotted with a riveting mystery throughout the show — packed with surprises and suspense.

I already am having “visions” of greatness for what the second season could look like.