After an excruciatingly long wait, Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 finally arrived on Netflix, and for the most part, it proves worth the patience. Jenna Ortega slips back into the dead‑pan Wednesday Addams with effortless ease, confronting a host of fresh threats as the titular girl returns to Nevermore Academy. This time she isn’t alone—her younger brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), who has recently discovered the ability to generate static electricity, accompanies her.
At the prompting of the academy’s new head, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), their parents Morticia (Catherine Zeta‑Jones) and Gomez (Luis Guzmán) also linger, giving the story a nostalgic Addams Family vibe. Yet, make no mistake: the series remains firmly centered on Wednesday herself.
Story
The second season of Wednesday begins with the main character spending her summer break on a quest to track down serial killers in her free time, which is, of course, perfectly aligned with her character. The show revives its signature dark humor, as Wednesday finds herself halted at an airport security scanner due to the absurd number of weapons she has concealed on her person, all while ‘Thing’ cleverly applies sunscreen.
Wednesday has inadvertently become a celebrity icon among new students at Nevermore, and she despises every moment of her unexpected fame. The show’s dark and tumultuous heart remains firmly established.
Fortunately, season 2 quickly dives into the central mystery, which revolves around a frightening influx of murderous crows.
True to her morbid nature, Wednesday is drawn to darkness and soon becomes embroiled in a spine-chilling mystery directly linked to her disturbing premonition regarding Enid’s (Emma Myers) unsettling fate.
While the main mystery takes center stage, several other storylines are interwoven throughout the season. Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), now a first-year student at Nevermore, inadvertently awakens a spooky urban legend. Meanwhile, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Bianca (Joy Sunday) collaborate on a fundraising project at the request of Nevermore’s new principal, Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi). Additionally, the Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital conceals its own chilling secrets.
Initially, these various plotlines may appear disjointed, and distracts the focus on Nevermore. However, as the season progresses, everything begins to align and make sense. It’s certainly worth persevering through.
One subplot which is less appealing involves Enid’s odd (and somewhat random) love triangle, which feels more like an attempt to fill the void left by Wednesday’s abandoned romantic storyline. More time should have dedicated to developing the friendship between these two contrasting characters. Perhaps this development lies ahead in the latter half of season 2, as Wednesday is determined to solve the mystery to save Enid.
There’s much more happening this season, with new characters like music teacher Isadora Capri (Billie Piper) and Principal Dort blending into the ensemble seamlessly—they already feel like part of this established universe.
Performances
Even though the murder‑mystery payoff is underwhelming, Jenna Ortega keeps the audience hooked from start to finish. Wednesday may maintain a stone‑cold expression and monotone voice, but Ortega conveys everything through her character’s unblinking eyes. You can sense the fierce determination to save Enid at any cost, as well as the dread that she might fail. Her sleuthing leads her to places she never imagined, including a class camping trip in Episode 3—the standout episode of this batch.
A major plus in this half‑season is that Morticia, Pugsley, and Gomez receive more screen time. Pugsley, now enrolled at Nevermore, tries to fit in but, true to Addams form, stands out—his subplot provides comic relief while also spawning some of the scarier moments in episodes 1–4. Morticia is courted by Principal Barry Dort to spearhead a fundraiser to keep the school afloat, largely because of her affluent mother, Hester (aka Grandmama, played by Joanna Lumley), with whom she’s estranged. Meanwhile, Morticia clashes with Wednesday over the latter’s overreliance on her powers and the spellbook of their dead ancestor, Goody Addams.
Long‑time fans will relish seeing Morticia fully embrace her role as the Addams matriarch. She fiercely protects her loved ones while honoring their need for independence, and isn’t shy about rescuing Wednesday from herself. Catherine Zeta‑Jones shines, delivering a voice that’s both sultry and warm.
Luis Guzmán’s Gomez may not have a dedicated subplot, but he remains actively involved throughout Part 1, offering comic relief and endless affection for his wife. While Raul Julia’s 1990s portrayal remains iconic, Guzmán is witty, suave, kind, and visually faithful to Charles Addams’s original comics. I hope we see even more of him in the second half.
Other standout characters include Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen), who returns to aid Wednesday’s investigation and gets exactly what he bargained for (or everything he wanted, depending on perspective); ‘Thing’ (Victor Dorobantu), the sentient disembodied hand that continues to watch over Wednesday for her parents; and Principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi). Fester and ‘Thing’ supply endless laughs, and Armisen’s performance kept many in stitches. Buscemi’s Dort, channeling a “how do you do, fellow kids?” vibe, feels refreshingly different from his predecessor, Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie), recalling the goofy‑yet‑stern teachers of my own school days.
Final Verdict
This season of Wednesday frequently feels notably darker than its predecessor. The gothic visuals are stunning, the school set designs bring the world to life, and the show is unafraid to embrace more gore. Wednesday remains unfazed by the chaos, except when her psychic abilities start acting unpredictably.
While the first four episodes may feel somewhat overloaded with plots and concepts, it’s evident that they are laying the foundation for the second half of the season (and possibly for a confirmed third season). Honestly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of these ideas are being reserved for a potential spinoff.
Showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar crank up the horror, delivering brutal deaths and jump scares. A recurring animal appears throughout, each sighting hinting at impending doom. Although I wasn’t sure the series could pull it off, they absolutely succeed.
All told, Wednesday Season 2 Part 1 marks a strong return for the titular character, offering an intriguing yet imperfect storyline. Ortega and the ensemble deliver compelling performances that draw you fully into their world. The heightened horror elements are a welcome addition, and kicks up the eagerness to see how the second half resolves the threads left dangling.
