The new series Wednesday has taken the Netflix top 10 by storm since it launched on November 23. And more than that, it even set an audience record, surpassing even Stranger Things season 4. But why does it matter so much Fun surrendering to Wednesday’s wails?
Netflix success: Why Wednesday hits a nerve
There are many explanations for its popularity with audiences: As a new Addams Family series, Wednesday brings back nostalgic feelings for iconic characters. Combined with a director like Tim Burton, who staged the first 4 episodes, as well as a twisting crime plot, the conditions for staying tuned are created. But at its core is the joy on Wednesday much more personal.
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Where does the joy of Netflix’ Wednesday come from?
Because at her school Nevermore, Wednesday is the queen of the outcasts. A person who stands out even among the rather idiosyncratic student body of werewolves and sirens. But instead of letting it pull her down, she carries hers Title as Ober Freak with Pride. And set a good example for us.
Wednesday as agent of our secret revenge fantasies
The way Jenna Ortega plays Wednesday is fantastic: “Annoyed”, “bored” and “surly” is her basic attitude. The Netflix protagonist dares what many would never dare: To openly show that sometimes the world just pisses you off. Even competitor Bianca (Joy Sunday) reluctantly admires how Wednesday doesn’t care what everyone else thinks of her.
But it doesn’t stop with their no-filter attitude alone. Because words are followed by deeds. Wednesday is our dream come true: the Embodiment of the victim who strikes back. She may be at the bottom of the pecking order, but she possesses qualities that anyone who has ever been bullied would wish they had: Verbal quick-witted, she defies insults. She fends off physical attacks with her martial arts. She emerges victorious from almost every conflict.
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Wednesday avenges Pugsley
Wednesday celebrates her difference and feels comfortable in her pale skin. Still, we learn through flashbacks, like the one about her killed scorpion pet, that she too had to develop that mental shield first. So she stays human.
Netflix’ Wednesday is a reluctant superhero
Wednesday becomes Super heroine of bullying victims, like bee lover Eugene (Moosa Mostafa). The helper in need who has the necessary skills of a heroine and uses them, albeit reluctantly. No matter how much she hides that behind her goth facade.
When Wednesday strikes back, though, she only goes as far as we see fit. Nobody has to die at their hands. Besides, she is never the one who initiates atrocities themselvesbut only reacts to it.
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At Wednesday, the bullies have to take it
For example, in the first 3 minutes of episode 1, Wednesday avenges her brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) by throwing piranhas into his tormentors’ pool. The competitors in the subsequent canoe tournament are only sunk because they cheated first. This sets the direction for the entire series: Bad deeds will be atoned for. Wrongdoers get their punishment, which is far from always the case in the real world. Even if Wednesday’s methods sometimes overshoot the mark.
Wednesday: A feelgood series disguised as a feelbad series
“Sweet home, suffering alone”, “Who sows suffering…” and “Leid pro quo”: In Wednesday, each of the 8 episodes bears the suffering in the episode title. But when the defensive braid wearer makes this suffering her own and fight it, the Netflix series becomes an enjoyment. Wednesday overcomes her traumas (and ours as well) and in the end creates a good feeling: ein Happy ending, which many bullied people were denied when they were at school. Suffering becomes passion.
Because no matter how often the Addams daughter emphasizes her dark world view: Unlike controversial, dark Netflix series like Dahmer, Wednesday’s story leaves us with one feeling of security return. And that’s not the worst argument for a series success.
The 20 best series debuts of December on Netflix, Disney+ and more
Need more fresh streaming tips? The most exciting series that you can stream in December on Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and more can be found here in the monthly preview:
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We have checked the long starting lists of the streaming services and present you the 20 big highlights of the month in the Moviepilot podcast stream trawl. Included are the sci-fi highlight Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the The Witcher prequel Blood Origin and insider tips like 1883, The Rehearsal and The Offer.
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How did you feel watching Wednesday on Netflix?