Overview
Overall Rating: ⭐ 3.0 / 5
Recommended Age: 13
You probably know the beloved 1960s show The Addams Family (and if not, you probably at least know the theme song: “… The Addams Family! Snap! Snap!”). But you’re likely not familiar with Netflix’s spin-off series, Wednesday.
Taking on the morbid and creepy mood of the original, this modern adaptation stars the daughter, Wednesday Addams (played by Jenna Ortega). Wednesday is sent to a new boarding school called Nevermore. While you can expect a lot of familiar characters and references to The Addams Family sitcom, this new series adds a layer of dark humor and sinister plot twists that you probably wouldn’t expect.
So before you get your witch’s shawl and broomstick to watch Wednesday with your kids, take a read through this review to be sure it’s safe for your kids to watch!
Harmful Content ❗️
Rating:
Since the plot of the first season is a murder mystery, parts of the show may not be suitable for all kids. Not to mention, the crux of the Addams family is their love of all things grim. The first episode opens with Wednesday at her old school, setting a piranha attack on the boys of the swim team. She does this in retaliation for bullying her little brother (Pugsley, of course). Then, after she’s taken to Nevermore, she encounters a monster in the woods who is responsible for a string of murders in the nearby town. The imagery is almost always dark and sometimes scary. And the scenes of death are often gory and disturbing.
Language
There are infrequent uses of adult language throughout the show, including “hell,” “s**t,” and “b***h.”
Sexual Content
While there is some romance included in the plot, it doesn’t go beyond characters flirting with each other and kissing.
Violence
As mentioned before, there are some gory scenes of death that parents may want to be aware of. The murders caused by the monster show torn body parts scattered throughout the woods. In another scene, there’s a car wreck in which we see the victim’s neck broken at a disturbing angle.
In addition to these scenes, we see Wednesday Addams has a certain affinity for violence. When she releases the piranhas in the pool she smiles slightly as if to enjoy the scene. Later, her mother tells her she’s lucky she didn’t get charged with attempted murder. Wednesday says that would’ve been terrible because “Everyone would’ve known I failed to get the job done.”
Positive Value 💫
Rating:
Even the goriest scenes of the show are often accompanied by sharp humor and grandiose acting which seems to water down the intensity of it. Wednesday’s sarcasm, strong will, and refusal to be anyone but herself make her a strong female lead — though not always an example to follow. She pretends as if she doesn’t care about anyone but she actually goes to great lengths to protect certain characters from harm. Ultimately, Wednesday finds strong friendships and learns to value their help.
So, should my kid watch it?
Due to the violence and dark themes of Wednesday, we’d say this one is better for slightly older kids around 13+. However, you know your child best and will know what they can handle.
FAQs
Rating: Since the plot of the first season is a murder mystery, parts of the show may not be suitable for all kids. Not to mention, the crux of the Addams family is their love of all things grim. The first episode opens with Wednesday at her old school, setting a piranha attack on the boys of the swim team.
Is the show Wednesday appropriate for children? ›
Wednesday is rated TV-14 for violence, fear, and profanity, which means it may not be suitable for children under 14 years old. Keep in mind that age ratings are simply suggestions — your child might be able to handle the show before age 14, or you may have a child older than 14 who finds it too scary.
Is Wednesday suitable for kids on Reddit? ›
Their are a few scary things hear and there and certain comments and scenes it's best to monitor your kid while watching. This is going to depend on the 8yo in question. I feel comfortable with my 9 and 11 yo watching it, but I can also understand why some parents would want to wait a few years for the younger one.
Does Wednesday have swearing? ›
Language and cursing includes "goddamn," "hell," "s--t." Characters hurl insults at each other: "Pigsley," "psychopath," "freak."
Is Wednesday a good TV show? ›
Overall a brilliant series and definitely will be watching Season 2. It was great that they got Tim Burton to actually direct the first 4 episodes to set the tone of the series, hope that won't wear off by time. The only thing in not fascinated about was Wednesday's romance. It was just too cheesy for a goth.
Can my 8 year old watch Wednesday? ›
In addition to meeting a few supernatural creatures along the way, there are plenty of jumps and scares as she uses her powers of visions to uncover a mysterious killer on the loose. With the series being rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence, some content might prove too mysterious and spooky for kids under 14.
Who is the monster in Wednesday? ›
Tyler Is The Hyde In Wednesday Season 1
She eventually discovers that the murderer is a Hyde, the monstrous alter ego of Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan). Tyler's Hyde identity first appeared when he was a baby and his father kept it a secret for his whole life, in hopes he would never again transform.
Should I let my 12 year old watch Wednesday? ›
So, should my kid watch it? Due to the violence and dark themes of Wednesday, we'd say this one is better for slightly older kids around 13+. However, you know your child best and will know what they can handle.
Is Wednesday worth watching for adults? ›
Definitely worth watching if you are intrigued, but remember that it's not an 18+ rated adult only tale... it's a modern tale on these ever classic characters, think along the lines of the Netflix Sabrina series...
Why you should watch Wednesday? ›
“Wednesday” is a show full of suspense and plot twists that will keep people on the edge of their seats. After the main character, Wednesday, gets expelled from her old school, she gets sent to a boarding school called Nevermore Academy. Nevermore Academy is a school for outsiders.
Profanity (2)
Infrequent language few s-words, and b-words and other minor language. A woman says "What the fudge" in replacement of the F word.
Is Addams Family kid friendly? ›
Yes its a tad bit violent but if your kids are exposed to even a modicum of violence in kids video games, its no more violent than that. Not a great movie, not a bad movie. Just an OK edition to the family movie night line up for a family with young kids that aren't overly sensitive to addams-family style violence.
Why is Wednesday called Wednesday in The Addams Family? ›
Weems, the viewers discovered that she got her name from a poem. More precisely, from a phrase taken from a nursery rhyme from 1838, entitled Monday's Child: Wednesday's child is full of woe. A name chosen by the creator of The Addams Family, Charles Addams, in the 1960s.
Why does everyone like Wednesday series? ›
Even though Wednesday dramaticizes her emotions for the sake of the show, I think teenagers tend to pay attention to the negative parts of something, just like Wednesday.” This is seen most often through themes of love, friendship and new beginnings in teenage lives.
Is Wednesday more watched than Stranger Things? ›
Netflix recently adjusted its viewership metric, prompting a major shakeup among its all-time list of most popular shows. As a result, Wednesday season 1 has officially surpassed Stranger Things season 4 as their most popular English-language show.
Why does everyone like Wednesday Netflix? ›
With or without the black clothing, Wednesday is someone teen girls want to be.” Wednesday's uniqueness is why fans like Atoms and Bellego related to her when they were children, and still feel a connection to her now as adults.
What age rating is the Addams family? ›
Rated PG for macabre and suggestive humor, and some action.
What does TV-14 rating mean? ›
TV-14 Parents Strongly Cautioned This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended.
What age is Wednesday Addams? ›
Wednesday Addams is a typically young girl (in the original series, she is about six, in the two original movies and animated movies, she is 13, in the Netflix series, she is 15 and 16) who is obsessed with death and is described as brilliant, with a penchant for doing odd scientific experiments.
