Wednesday Season 2 Part 1, bringing fans back to the twisted, gothic world of Nevermore Academy. The Netflix phenomenon, created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar with Tim Burton once again guiding the eerie aesthetic, finds Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) in a new semester with even more chaos, family drama, and dark secrets to unravel.
Having spent her summer immersed in Goody’s Book of Shadows and fine-tuning her psychic abilities, Wednesday returns with a stronger grip on her powers—although the sudden black tears running down her face during visions are a troubling new side effect. She hides this from her concerned mother Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and enlists the help of loyal Thing (Victor Dorobantu) to keep it secret.
A Family Affair: The Addams Join the Mayhem
Nevermore Academy doesn’t offer the same sanctuary it did last year. Wednesday’s younger brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) enrolls as a freshman, still bumbling with his newfound ability to generate static electricity. To Wednesday’s horror, Morticia and Gomez (Luis Guzmán) are also present on campus, assisting new Principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi) with school fundraising efforts.
The presence of her entire family heightens the tension. Wednesday already shares a strained relationship with her mother, and her frustration only deepens with the arrival of Grandmama Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley), Morticia’s manipulative and wealthy mother who owns Frump Mortuaries. Grandmama delights in widening the emotional chasm between daughter and granddaughter, adding an extra layer of gothic drama.
A Vision Too Dark to Ignore
Wednesday’s return is overshadowed by a terrifying new psychic vision involving her best friend and roommate Enid (Emma Myers). The grim vision creates emotional distance between the two, disrupting their already fragile friendship. Enid, confused by Wednesday’s growing coldness, finds herself alienated as Wednesday tries to prevent a potential tragedy—without fully understanding how her visions work or whether she can trust them.
Meanwhile, Wednesday remains a reluctant celebrity at Nevermore after last season’s events, especially following her exposure of Tyler (Hunter Doohan) as the Hyde under Marilyn Thornhill’s control. Now, she must contend with stalkers, an overzealous student body, and an increasingly sinister atmosphere brewing within the academy walls.
Murder, Monsters, and a Mysterious Stalker
Much like its first season, Season 2 plunges straight into a spooky teen mystery. This time, a shadowy stalker is on the prowl, killer surveillance crows circle overhead, and Wednesday’s investigation leads her to disturbing places—including an insane asylum and the discovery of long-buried family secrets.
To solve this new case, Wednesday teams up with the ever-eccentric Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), whose telekinetic abilities and unpredictable methods add comedic relief and narrative momentum. The show also introduces a walking dead character to the cast, complete with all the grotesque visuals that fans of Burton’s brand of horror comedy expect—goo, bugs, brains, and all.
Emotional Undercurrents and Family Dynamics
This season delves deeper into the emotional rifts within the Addams family. Morticia’s fear that her daughter’s psychic gifts may mirror those of a relative who went mad pushes her to meddle more—further suffocating Wednesday. Their back-and-forth is brilliantly laced with venomous sarcasm. When Morticia inquires about reading Wednesday’s in-progress novel Viper de la Muerte, the teen’s inner monologue snaps, “When the sun explodes and the Earth is consumed in a molten apocalypse.” What she actually says? “Soon, Mother. Soon.”
This toxic mother-daughter dynamic resonates with viewers, especially younger audiences navigating growing independence and generational tension. Despite the supernatural dressing, the emotional themes remain grounded and relatable.
The Style Is Still Spellbinding
Visually, Wednesday remains a Tim Burton dream—dark, stylized, and packed with atmosphere. One standout sequence involves a haunting black-and-white claymation short told in the style of Frankenweenie, recounting the tale of a boy with a clockwork heart buried beneath the Skull Tree. It’s poetic, macabre, and emotionally haunting—a signature Burton flourish that elevates the narrative beyond typical teen fare.
Jenna Ortega continues to embody Wednesday with chilling precision. Though her one-liners aren’t quite as sharp as in the first season, her delivery remains deadly effective. Thing, the disembodied hand, even opens the season by hilariously beating up a serial killer—a delightfully absurd moment that captures the show’s perfect balance between horror and humor.
A Few Woes Along the Way
Despite its strengths, Season 2 doesn’t completely recapture the unpredictable magic of its debut. The first half (just four episodes) feels like a setup rather than a full arc. Critics and fans alike have noted the unnecessary split of the season. The Part 1 finale, “If These Woes Could Talk,” answers some questions but leaves audiences feeling like they were paused mid-binge.
Still, the addition of Christopher Lloyd (returning from his role as Fester in the 1991 Addams Family film) as a disembodied head teaching at Nevermore is a delightful Easter egg for longtime fans. His brief appearance, along with Christina Ricci’s return as the now-institutionalized Marilyn Thornhill, helps keep nostalgia alive without overpowering the new cast.
Final Thoughts: Spooky, Stylish, and Still Worth the Watch
Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 doesn’t fully reach the highs of its predecessor, but it remains a gorgeously constructed, cleverly written, and emotionally engaging series. It deepens the Addams family lore, explores Wednesday’s psychic powers and inner turmoil, and expands the bizarre universe fans have grown to love. And while some of the mystery beats feel familiar, the cast—especially Ortega—continues to carry the show with confidence.
If you’re ready to return to a school where your classmate might be a werewolf and your teacher is a head in a jar, Wednesday still offers more than enough reason to check in again.
Currently streaming on Netflix. Part 2 arrives September 3.
