The Rise of ‘Wednesday’: Netflix’s New Supernatural Darling
Netflix has struck gold again with its new show ‘Wednesday,’ a spin-off focusing on the coming-of-age story of Gomez and Morticia Addams‘ psychic teenage daughter. Starring Jenna Ortega in the title role, the show has quickly become one of Netflix’s most-watched series, making a second season almost inevitable.
“Within just its first season, Wednesday had become one of the biggest hit shows in Netflix history, so a season 2 renewal seemed like a no-brainer.”
As ‘Stranger Things’ prepares to bow out with its fifth and final season, Netflix is on the hunt for its next genre-defining hit. ‘Wednesday’ seems poised to take the throne with its blend of young adult drama, supernatural elements, and a dash of mystery. But can it truly fill the void left by ‘Stranger Things’?
The Missing Ingredient: High-Stakes Storytelling
While ‘Wednesday’ has a lot going for it, including a beloved young cast and a fantastical setting at Nevermore Academy, it lacks one crucial element that made ‘Stranger Things’ a global phenomenon: high-stakes conflicts that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
“If Wednesday is going to replace Stranger Things as Netflix’s biggest show, then it needs some higher-stakes conflicts to spark discussions around the water cooler.”
‘Stranger Things’ captivated audiences with its intricate mysteries, such as the enigmatic Upside Down and the underground lab’s role in the supernatural events. These mysteries weren’t just solved in a single season; they unfolded over multiple seasons, keeping viewers hooked.
“Part of the reason why Stranger Things became so popular was because the show opened with a bunch of huge mysteries, like the Upside Down and the underground lab’s involvement in it.”
In contrast, ‘Wednesday’ wrapped up its main storyline by the end of the first season, leaving little room for overarching mysteries or conflicts. The show focused on Wednesday’s quest to identify the “Hyde” terrorizing Nevermore Academy. Once the Hyde was revealed and defeated, the storyline came to a definitive end.
“As it stands, Wednesday doesn’t really have a grander story or mystery tying everything together.”
The Path Forward: More Than Just a Murder Mystery
The first season of ‘Wednesday’ played out like a self-contained murder mystery with a supernatural twist. While that’s engaging for a single season, it won’t sustain the show in the long run.
“People will only stay interested if it’s building to something; adventure-of-the-week storytelling will only take the series so far.”
To ascend to ‘Stranger Things‘ levels of popularity, ‘Wednesday’ needs to introduce larger, more complex storylines that span multiple seasons. Whether it’s delving deeper into the lore of Nevermore Academy, exploring the origins of the Addams family’s powers, or introducing a new, more menacing threat, the show must give viewers compelling reasons to return season after season.
The Final Take
‘Wednesday’ has the potential to be Netflix’s next big hit, but it needs to up the ante when it comes to storytelling. By introducing high-stakes conflicts and multi-season arcs, the show can captivate a global audience just as ‘Stranger Things’ did. As it stands, ‘Wednesday’ is a delightful but ultimately limited series. With a few key changes, it could become the next must-watch show on Netflix.
