Jenna Ortega stars as Wednesday Addams, the daughter of the beloved Addams family, in Wednesday, with respective members played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, and Issac Ordonez. The updated vision of the show, directed by Tim Burton, sees Wednesday arrive at the prestige yet mysterious Nevermore Academy, where she discovers supernatural entities around every corner.
Wednesday also stars Emma Myers as Wednesday’s upbeat and colourful roommate Enid, as well as Gwendoline Christie as Nevermore’s deen, Larissa and Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in the classic Addams Family films, as Wednesday’s teacher Marilyn Thornhill. The series has wasted no time becoming the second-most streamed English-speaking show on Netflix and has racked up an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score.
As with most teen shows such as Stranger Things and Euphoria, Wednesday has had subcultural influences, mainly through its blend of Gothic and dark academic visuals and style, influencing its audiences to emulate this look. The Addams family are staples in the Gothic subculture, primarily their daughter exhibiting the dark style and traditional stoic outlook. Social media sites are teaching fans how to dress and act like Wednesday through posts showing similar outfits and a cliche ‘edgy’ personality.
Another critical aspect of the show and its style is its soundtrack, made from an original score by Chris Bacon and Danny Elfman and songs that reflect its image. Burton fans will be familiar with Elfman as the composer previously worked with the director on Edward Scissorhands and Batman. One infamous scene involving music sees Wednesday showing her gothic dance moves at the school dance as she performs to ‘Goo Goo Muck’ by the brilliant punk band The Cramps.
The sequence has become a hit, with social media sites posting edits and users doing their own version of the dance. Ortega made sure to represent the Gothic subculture in the scene, taking the time to watch many clips of goths dancing in clubs in the ‘80s and replicating the moves in the scene.
“I was doing so much on the show, I was kicking myself, I felt like such a fool, I was like, I am not a dancer, I don’t do any of that. I have no experience in that field,” Ortega revealed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. “
Here is the complete list of Wednesday’s soundtrack.
- ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien’ – Edith Piaf (episode one)
- ‘In My Dreams’ – Roy Orbison (episode one)
- ‘Can’t Stop’ – Rhythmking (episode one)
- ‘La Llorona’ – Chavela Vargas (episode one)
- ‘Paint It Black’ – Wednesday on cello, originally by The Rolling Stones (episode one)
- ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ – Nevermore a cappella group, originally by Bobby McFerrin (episode two)
- ‘Space Song’ – Beach House (episode three)
- ‘Winter’ – Antonio Vivaldi (episode three)
- ‘Nothing Else Matters’ – Metallica (episode three)
- ‘Tierra Rica’ – Carmita Jimenez (episode four)
- ‘It’s A Shame’ – RAC feat. Pink Feathers (episode four)
- ‘The Beginning’ – Magdalena Bay (episode four)
- ‘Goo Goo Muck’ – The Cramps (episode four)
- ‘Physical’ – Dua Lipa (episode four)
- ‘La Mamma Morta’ – Umberto Giordano (episode four)
- ‘Sciuri Sciuri’ – Blonde Redhead (episode six)
- ‘If I Be Wrong’ – Wolf Larsen (episode seven)
- ‘Gnossienne No. 1’ – Erik Satie (episode seven)
- ‘Perfect Day’ – Hoku (episode eight)
Wednesday is available to stream on Netflix, with fans hoping a second season will soon follow.
