The Biggest Problem With Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Is Also Why The Netflix Show Was So Successful

One of the biggest problems with Netflix's Wednesday was also, ironically, one of the reasons why the series became and continues to be so successful. Though updates on Wednesday season 2 have been lacking since filming wrapped, the series continues to fascinate and entertain audiences as the Tim Burton spinoff tells the story of Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) and her adventures in Nevermore Academy. However, to some, the series failed to capture the essence of the source material through its shift in format and tone.

Though Wednesday was meant to mirror the original Addams Familyfranchise, it instead moved to copy aspects from many supernatural teen dramas on Netflix, such as The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina and Stranger Things. The original The Addams Family series was a satirization of the classic family sitcom, but its morbid humor and slapstick moments contrast with Wednesday's more serious storyline, drawing it away from the franchise's primary intention. That being said, this shift towards the teen drama formula did serve the Netflix series well and, in some ways, still honored those satirical roots.

Wednesday Season 1’s Teen Drama Formula Worked Surprisingly Well

Wednesday Season 1 Became Netflix's Third Most Watched English Language Series Ever

Even though Wednesday's high school storyline should not fit the world of TheAddams Family, the series did shockingly well as it integrated those nuances into the darker world of the franchise. As mentioned, the titular character in Wednesday differs from her Addams Family depictions, as she is dropped into staple narratives of teen dramas, such as the love triangle.

Yet, Netflix's series also added in a strong murder mystery storyline while keeping Wednesday's iconic deadpan characterization that, for some reason, bothered neither boy, keeping in some part with the original's intention of satirization. Those shifts in Wednesday's portrayal and circumstances did not deter the majority of audiences who loved the original franchise, either.

Wednesday garnered 752 million viewing hours according to IMDb, showcasing how this formula shift was a welcome one for TheAddams Family as they tempered the horror and humor with boarding school drama. Wednesday may not have been a faithful adaptation of the beloved characters and story, but its efforts in experimentation did yield great results, making it a strong addition to the franchise.

Wednesday Was Not A Faithful Adaptation (But It Was Still A Great Show)

Wednesday Keeps The Essence Of The Addams Family

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams is at Nevermore Academy in Wednesday. — Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy in Wednesday

Wednesday is still a great show as it kept the essence of TheAddams Family's main morals alive, making it a solid adaptation. Even though the increase in horror elements will make Wednesday season 2 different from season 1, the main aspects of the story will likely remain, as audiences see Wednesday grow and develop her sense of identity while she solves another mystery. With that better balance, the series can further explore its own and the main franchise's themes, which are easily captured in both formats.

Wednesday honors those aspects of the original by truly pushing Wednesday out of her comfort zone, forcing her to face the many trials teenage characters do in teen dramas alongside the spooky beats she is familiar with.

TheAddams Family franchise has largely carried the themes of self-acceptance, family, and love at the center of each of its installments. Wednesday honors those aspects of the original by truly pushing Wednesday out of her comfort zone, forcing her to face the many trials teenage characters do in teen dramas alongside the spooky beats she is familiar with. By doing so, Wednesday is able to connect to the franchise while also growing from it, allowing it to be a well-done show on its own and a powerful part of the larger story of this odd family.