The first time I watched Wednesday, I didn't expect much—just another Netflix “quirk-core” thing with Burton's fingerprints and Ortega's stare. What I got instead was a surprisingly tight gothic teen mystery that actually remembered to be fun.
So when Wednesday season 2 dropped its first four episodes on Netflix, and Rotten Tomatoes came back with an 83% critics score—up from season 1's respectable 73%—I did that thing we all do: squinted a little, smiled a little, and braced for disappointment.
And yeah… it's better. Technically. But that's not the full story.
So What's Actually Better in Season 2?
Let's not bury the lead: Jenna Ortega still runs this show. Her take on Wednesday Addams is electric—calm, cruel, hilarious. It's the kind of performance that makes execs greenlight spinoffs before they've even read the finale script. (And yeah, they already announced Wednesday Season 3, so clearly, someone's pleased.)
Critics who've chimed in—35 so far, per Rotten Tomatoes—mostly agree. They're vibing with the way season 2 picks up the messy threads from season 1's cliffhanger. There's praise for a more involved Addams family, especially Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán as Morticia and Gomez. And narratively? There's momentum. Stakes. A real “year two” energy.
But underneath that…
There's this lingering itch.
More Addams… But Also, Too Many Addams?
One of the joys of season 1 was how tightly wound it all was. Wednesday, Enid, the Academy, the monster mystery—it clicked. It focused. This time around, the showrunners clearly wanted more. More characters, more flashbacks, more threads, more backstory for side players who maybe didn't need it.
And sure, we get a broader view of Nevermore. But we also lose screen time for Enid—played by Emma Myers—whose werewolf roommate chemistry with Ortega was a big part of what made season 1 feel fresh. Critics like ScreenRant's Felipe Rangel point out that sidelining her friendship with Wednesday leaves a weird emotional hole in the story's center.
Even the more generous reviews admit the show's feeling a little… bloated. Not quite Riverdale bloated. But the shadows are lengthening.
Split Seasons Are the New Cliffhangers
Let's talk format for a sec.
Netflix only dropped part 1 of season 2—just four episodes—for now. The remaining four arrive September 3, 2025. So we're judging a half-finished puzzle. That 82% score is based on half a season. Not the whole arc. Not the reveals or the resolution. Just the setup.
That's the gamble studios are playing lately—drop the first half, let the hype marinate, and pray audiences don't tune out by the time part 2 shows up. (Stranger Things tried this. It half-worked. The Witcher tried this. It didn't.)
Still, it's not a total misfire. The direction's crisp. The production design's leaning harder into baroque gothic weirdness. And musically, it's doing interesting things—though someone please tell me what that cello cue in episode 2 was supposed to convey. Dread? Sadness? IBS?
The Verdict… For Now
Here's where I land, mid-season:
Season 2 is smarter, sharper, and clearly made with confidence. But it's also more chaotic. That 82% on Rotten Tomatoes feels earned—but fragile. There's a real risk it dips once part 2 drops. Or maybe it shoots even higher if they stick the landing.
But this much is clear—if you loved season 1's character balance, you might notice what's missing. And if you were hoping for a deeper, darker second act? Well… part 2 better bring it.
Because right now, it's setting the table. Let's hope it knows what it's serving.
Where ‘Wednesday' Season 2 Stands So Far
Improved Critical Score
Season 2 currently sits at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes—up from season 1's 73%—signaling a generally positive reception to its darker tone and stronger story arcs.
Jenna Ortega Still Owns It
Ortega remains the show's anchor, with critics consistently praising her performance as the deadpan, driven Wednesday Addams.
More Characters, Less Focus
Expanded roles for the Addams family and others come at the cost of tight pacing—especially sidelining key relationships like Wednesday and Enid.
Only Half the Season is Out
The current reviews only cover part 1 (four episodes). Part 2 drops September 3, and could either raise or sink that RT score.
Stylistically Confident, Emotionally Scattered
The show looks better than ever—but in reaching for more, it risks diluting what made it special in the first place.
What do you think—did season 2 live up to the eerie excellence of the first? Or is it falling into the Netflix “bigger means better” trap? Drop your thoughts, raise your eyebrows, and share it with the weirdos in your life who still dream of attending Nevermore.
