Years: 2022 - ?
Number of Seasons: 1 (so far)
Creators: Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (& Tim Burton!)
Subgenre: Horror Comedy/Horror Icon (+ Monsters/Mystery)
Episode Runtime: 45 minutes
Company: Netflix
Star: Jenna Ortega
Given that the above dance from this series went viral on TikTok which caused the whole world to become hyper aware of this series, it might seem an odd choice for a horror recommendation. I mean, even those not familiar with or interested in the history of the Addams family wound up watching this Netflix original. But just because you may know about it, you might have been skeptical over actually taking the time to watch. If you are that person, I am here to help you off the fence and urge you to watch this! I mean you don't actually have to binge it. It is really good; and thanks to star Jenna Ortega's SERIOUS commitment to the role, it is absolutely a very honourable entry into the Addams franchise--the best since the two films in the early 1990's for sure! Also, the Wednesday Addams from those films--Christina Ricci--has a prominent role in this version as well. Despite that the action takes place at a spooky boarding school for monstrous children (like Universal monsters, I mean); aptly called Nevermore, you get all of the Addams family sprinkled liberally in several episodes. And, may I say, the casting director blew the doors off here. Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia (with Gwen Jones in the part in flashbacks), Hungarian George Burcea as Lurch, Issac Ordonez as Pugley and a brilliant Uncle Fester by Fred Armisen. I left special mention for Luis Guzman as Gomez, because (and I know this is flirting with blasphemy) he is THE Best Gomez yet, despite limited screen time. Other notables in the cast include Jamie McShane (character actor extraordinaire) & Gwendoline Christie ("Game of Thrones"). The extended cast of younger actors that make up the students also blew me away with their performances. It's just good stuff and there is a very addictive mystery to be solved in the process.
Our granddaughter wanted to watch this with my wife and I, so we did it a few episodes at a time. Good fun, loved it all. Ortega is great as Wednesday!
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