Netflix recently released the opening credits for Wednesday, Tim Burton's latest project and the newest adaptation of the iconic franchise The Addams Family. Premiering on Nov. 23rd, Wednesday stars Jenny Ortega, Luis Guzmán and Gwendoline Christie among other familiar faces including Christina Ricci: the most well-known face of Wednesday Addams.
The opening theme for Wednesday is reminiscent of Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a popular rendition of the character from the Archie comics. Both openings capture the eccentric and dark moods of their respective shows, introducing viewers to their macabre atmospheres and gothic visuals and making them some of the best openings in recent television.
Wednesday & Sabrina Bring Nostalgia Back to Supernatural Teen Dramas
Wednesday and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are both series based on existing intellectual properties and lore. The two shows were originally comics, which were then developed into films and television shows. The opening for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is stylized to look like a comic strip as it features cartoon versions of the cast over a string and theremin score. By infusing these two elements, and an emphasis on bright red and contrasting colors, the theme for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina pays homage to its comic origin while adding a gothic flair to the series. The opening promises magic, blood and other "witchy" concepts that are explored throughout the show's four season run.
Wednesday follows in a similar vein. Although the theme doesn't employ a cartoon style, it displays items and images that are sure to be important throughout the series. Using a choral and harpsichord score, the music is reminiscent of the Addams Family theme that is widely known and originated in the 1960s sitcom series The Addams Family. The opening promises a creepy and fun series in typical Addams family flair. Wednesday Addams and her homicidal tendencies are especially on full display in Netflix's exploration of her adolescence.
Wednesday's Opening Promises a Gothic Atmosphere
The theme for Wednesday opens on a silhouette of Wednesday Addams standing in front of Nevermore Academy, her new school. Already this is a reference to one of the original goths, Edgar Allan Poe, a poet and one of the creators of gothic literature. The sequence then depicts items like a typewriter, a book with the words "Nightshade Society" printed on the cover and the iconic cello played with a knife. Coupled with the opening's creepy musical score, Wednesday's opening is a perfect primer for the macabre adventures teenage Wednesday Addams is sure to find herself in.
The overtly dark, cool tones used in Wednesday's opening are very different from the blood-red coloring of the theme for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but this color palette follows traditional gothic inspiration and the previous visual look of the Addams Family films and television. While Wednesday is forging its own unique story about Wednesday Addams and her unusual school experience, it remains faithful to the original style of the Addams family and their eccentric adventures. What lies ahead is going to be humorously dark and delightfully gothic -- the perfect representation of Wednesday Addams and her sadistic nature and iconic look.
As Netflix releases more material leading up to Wednesday's release, its certain that the original themes and style of the Addams family are deeply influential to the new series. Tim Burton's gothic filmmaking makes him the perfect director to tackle such an iconic character. Necessary from any good opening is the ability to tease viewers and draw them into the world of the show, and Wednesday's opening effortlessly solidifies the series' creepy nature, promising viewers an eerie new adventure with a classically strange character.
Wednesday premieres only on Netflix on November 23rd.