Wednesday star and executive producer Jenna Ortega is hyping up the highly anticipated second season, teasing even more ambitious horror-inspired moments. The Netflix series follows the iconic Addams Family character’s journey at Nevermore Academy as she investigates supernatural mysteries. Season 1 became a massive hit, with Ortega’s portrayal earning widespread acclaim and the show breaking streaming records. With Wednesday season 2 now in production, Ortega is promising an even more ambitious approach that leans more into the horror aspects of the show, teasing bigger and more elaborate sequences.
In a recent interview with Collider while promoting her new A24 movie, Death of a Unicorn, Ortega talked about season 2 and how the creative team has taken the show to another level visually and thematically. The star revealed that one particular scene involving Pugsley reminded her of Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 psychological war drama, Full Metal Jacket. Ortega also teased an entire episode inspired by slasher films. Read her full comment below:
Visually, I can say we have some of the most fun we’ve ever had. It’s crazy to talk about one frame like this, but there is a frame of Pugsley rolling his eyes back with this contraption around his head—that’s all I can say— and it reminds me so much of Full Metal Jacket. It’s insane. So bizarre.
I just feel like there are a lot of scenes and frames, and there’s a whole episode based off of slashers, and we make a lot of horror references. So, everything about it, I feel like we kind of had a little bit more trust, and therefore, we felt like we could do bigger, more elaborate sequences, which is nice.
What This Means For Wednesday Season 2
It Will Go Bigger & Bolder With Horror References
Wednesday season 1 already leaned into supernatural horror, with nods to classic monster movies and gothic aesthetics. However, Ortega’s comments suggest that season 2 will embrace horror in new and unexpected ways. Her reference to Full Metal Jacket, a war film known for its disturbing psychological intensity, implies that Pugsley’s scene could be one of the show’s darkest yet. With Netflix reportedly increasing the show’s budget and expanding its horror elements, her comments about the bigger production scale hint towards moments that will surpass season 1’s visually stunning scenes and set pieces, like the Rave’N Dance and Nevermore Academy’s sprawling gothic campus.
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Additionally, the revelation of an entire episode inspired by slasher films shows how season 2 will have more direct horror tributes and inspirations. Given Ortega’s background as a modern scream queen and her new role as executive producer for season 2, it is no surprise that the upcoming season will embrace the horror more than ever before. It will be interesting to see how these elements are incorporated into Tyler’s Hyde storyline now that he’s revealed to have been held in Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital after the events of Wednesday‘s season 1 finale.
Our Take on Wednesday Season 2’s Horror Evolution
The Show’s Darker Direction Is Exactly What It Needs
Wednesday season 1 was a huge success for Netflix, but one common critique was that it didn’t truly embrace the horror genre despite its supernatural premise, which even Ortega herself had complained about. Now, season 2 appears to be doubling down on horror references and psychological intensity, which could signal the show reaching new heights. Ortega’s passion for the project is evident, and her excitement about the show’s evolution is encouraging. With a Full Metal Jacket-inspired moment, a slasher-themed episode, and a larger scale overall, Wednesday season 2 is shaping up to be a daring and visually stunning follow-up.
Source: Collider
Wednesday
8/10
- Release Date
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November 16, 2022
- Showrunner
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Miles Millar, Alfred Gough
- Directors
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Tim Burton, James Marshall, Gandja Monteiro
- Writers
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Miles Millar, Alfred Gough
- Franchise(s)
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The Addams Family