After a three-year hiatus, Wednesday returns to Netflix with all the visual flair and gothic charm that made it a global phenomenon—but also with many of the same storytelling issues that prevented the first season from reaching its full potential. Part 1 of Season 2 delivers four episodes that showcase Jenna Ortega’s continued excellence in the title role while struggling to find the right tonal balance for the Addams Family universe.
The Good: Ortega Remains Perfect Casting
Jenna Ortega continues to be absolutely flawless as Wednesday Addams, delivering every line with the perfect blend of wry intelligence and deadpan wit that makes the character so captivating. Even when the writing around her falters, Ortega’s performance anchors the show and reminds viewers why Wednesday became such a cultural sensation. Her ability to sell Wednesday’s macabre worldview while navigating teenage social dynamics remains the series’ greatest strength.
The show also benefits from improved use of supporting Addams Family members. Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester gets more opportunities to shine with his delightfully twisted observations (his casual comment about being “a big fan of child labor” is perfectly delivered), while Luis Guzmán’s Gomez feels more naturally integrated into the storylines this season.
Visual Spectacle and Burton’s Touch
Tim Burton’s return as director for two episodes brings the series’ visual storytelling to life in spectacular fashion. A standout sequence in the season premiere features Ajax’s story told through beautiful black-and-white animation that perfectly captures Burton’s signature aesthetic, reminiscent of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” These moments remind viewers of what makes Burton’s gothic sensibility so compelling.
The new murder mystery involving crow-controlled killings provides genuinely unsettling imagery that works well within the show’s darker elements. When Wednesday leans into its horror roots, it finds its most effective storytelling rhythm.
The Problematic: Tonal Whiplash and Wasted Potential
Unfortunately, Season 2 continues to suffer from severe tonal inconsistency. The show can deliver a brilliantly dark one-liner in one scene, then immediately shift to painfully unfunny comedy that feels aimed at much younger audiences. A sequence with a cartoonish driving instructor exemplifies this problem, grinding the show’s momentum to a halt with humor that feels completely out of place in the Addams Family universe.
More fundamentally, the Hogwarts-style setting continues to undermine what makes the Addams Family special. The supernatural “Outcasts” versus “normies” dynamic that dominates Nevermore Academy robs the Addams of their unique appeal—they work best when contrasted against mundane normalcy, not when they’re just another group of supernatural beings in a school full of them.
Character Development Hits and Misses
The series wisely abandons Wednesday’s romantic subplot from Season 1, following Ortega’s well-publicized criticism of that storyline. Percy Hynes White’s Xavier has been completely written out, while Hunter Doohan’s Tyler assumes a “imprisoned Hannibal Lecter” role, amusingly appearing shirtless in every scene.
However, the show immediately replaces Wednesday’s love triangle with an equally unnecessary one for Emma Myers’ Enid, torn between Ajax and newcomer Bruno. This boring subplot wastes Myers’ considerable charm and highlights the budget limitations—Enid’s werewolf abilities are repeatedly represented by simply flexing her claws, which grows tiresome quickly.
Isaac Ordonez’s Pugsley gets a more engaging storyline involving a zombie he treats as a pet, though Ordonez remains the weakest performer among the young cast. Joy Sunday’s Bianca has a subplot connecting her to Morticia that feels disconnected from the main narrative.
Star-Studded but Underutilized Cast
Season 2 boasts impressive new additions including Steve Buscemi as the scheming new principal, along with Billie Piper, Thandiwe Newton, Heather Matarazzo, and Anthony Michael Hall in various roles. Christopher Lloyd joins as the second 1990s Addams Family movie alum, though his disembodied head character suffers from questionable digital effects.
While these talented actors bring gravitas to their roles, it remains unclear how integral they’ll be to the overall story, especially with Part 2 still to come in September.
The Verdict: Beautiful Missed Opportunities
Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 feels like a series still searching for its identity. The show has all the ingredients for greatness—exceptional lead performance, stunning visuals, beloved source material, and talented supporting cast—but showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar continue to struggle with basic storytelling fundamentals.
The supernatural boarding school setting that worked for Harry Potter feels like a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes the Addams Family compelling. These characters shine brightest when their macabre sensibilities clash with everyday normalcy, not when they’re surrounded by equally supernatural beings.
Despite these flaws, Ortega’s magnetic performance and Burton’s visual flair make Wednesday watchable, even when it’s frustrating. Fans hoping the three-year break would lead to significant improvements may be disappointed, but those who enjoyed the first season’s aesthetic pleasures will find enough to appreciate while waiting for Part 2.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 is currently streaming on Netflix, with Part 2 arriving in September 2025.
