Tim Burton’s TV show “Wednesday”, which premiered on Nov. 23, 2022, is a bold and refreshing revival of “The Addams Family” franchise. The character Wednesday is introduced as being named after the poem “Wednesday’s Child Is Full of Woe,” and each episode title also includes the word “woe,” emphasizing the series’ gothic humor and darkly playful tone.
Jenna Ortega stars as the deadpan Wednesday, capturing both her wit and emotional depth while reimagining a beloved character for a new generation.
As a revival, the series brings the Addams Family into a modern setting while retaining its darkly comedic roots. Burton, known for movies like “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, brings his signature gothic style, blending horror, humor and heart.
The show explores Wednesday’s struggles with identity, independence and belonging, while offering moments of friendship, musical flair and unexpected levity. It balances dark themes with campy fun, making it a memorable watch for both longtime fans and newcomers.
”The Addams Family” franchise has had many lives. Charles Addams created the characters in the 1930s for The New Yorker magazine. They became widely known through the black-and-white 1960s sitcom and then again through the cult-favorite 1990s films “The Addams Family” and “The Addams Family Values”.
More recently, animated movies in 2019 and 2021 failed to capture the eccentric romance and wit of the originals. Burton’s version restores that missing charm.
The series follows Wednesday as she enrolls at Nevermore Academy, her parents’ alma mater. The school is a refuge for outcasts, many of whom have supernatural powers. Soon, Wednesday finds herself at the center of a murder investigation while uncovering secrets about her family’s past. Along the way, she wrestles with her psychic abilities, complicated friendships and her strained relationship with Morticia.
These moments of mystery and conflict are balanced with unforgettable visual and musical highlights. In season one, at the Rave’N (Nevermore’s school dance), Wednesday performs her gothic-inspired dance to “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps. It became the show’s most popular scene, largely because it feels so unexpected. Wednesday is a serious character, yet Ortega makes the dance feel completely natural for her character.
At the end of season two, Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance” delivers another striking moment. The song debuted for the first time as a dramatic performance put on by Enid and Agnes, two of Wednesday’s closest friends in the series. The performance closes the season with a mix of playfulness and gothic eeriness, capturing the strange balance of horror and humor that defines the series.
Music is used to great effect throughout, including a piano version of “Zombie” by The Cranberries that plays while a zombie runs loose, creating a scene that is both tense and darkly funny.
A favorite, lighter moment includes a body-swap sequence between Enid and Wednesday in season two. Watching Enid, inside Wednesday’s body, dancing energetically to a K-pop track, surrounded by bright colors is both absurd and delightful. Wednesday’s intense cello performances add elegance and unease to the show, proving that music is as important to the storytelling as dialogue.
I also enjoyed the hyde monster, with its grotesque form and piercing eyes, offering one of the most frightening visuals and a clear sign of Burton’s direction.
The casting of Christina Ricci as Ms. Thornhill deepens the show’s ties to the 90s Adam’s Family movies. Once the face of Wednesday herself, Ricci now plays a teacher at Nevermore Academy. This clever choice honors the past while giving longtime fans a sense of continuity.
Thematically, the show explores identity, control and acceptance. Wednesday initially resists her psychic powers, viewing them as a curse. Over time, she learns that her strength lies not in suppressing her abilities but in embracing them.
Her conflict with Morticia adds another layer. Like many teenagers, Wednesday resents feeling coddled and believes her mother is holding her back. These struggles make her more relatable than the flawless heroines that often dominate television.
What I love most about “Wednesday” is its atmosphere. The Addams family has always been a parody of American perfection, turning fear of the unusual into comedy. Burton continues that tradition by making outcasts the center of the story. The gothic tone, eccentric characters and clever writing make the show playful and subversive.
My affection for “The Addams Family” began with the 1990s films, and this series reignited that fascination. The aesthetics, the music and Ortega’s sharp performance are all reasons why I enjoyed it so much. The episode titles referencing “woe” show the writing’s wit, while the Halloween-ready setting makes it a perfect seasonal watch. Most importantly, it proves that being seen as an “outcast” can be powerful and entertaining.
Ultimately, Wednesday succeeds both as a continuation of “The Addams Family” legacy and as a Tim Burton project. It is witty, gothic and visually stunning. For fans of the franchise and for newcomers alike, it is a Halloween must-watch!