I was given early access to the first five episodes or “screeners” as we call them to “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and as expected and as early trailers suggested is nothing like its campy 90’s predecessor which was more of a sitcom (comedy). In fact, the 2018 version led by the producers of “Riverdale” seems to be cutting ties from its wholesome roots by turning to the occult.
From the Gothic production design to curses, hexes, spells, a dark Baptism and basically a following to the dark lord, and no, I don’t mean Voldemort but you know, the one that starts with an “S”. Ssssssooooo….yes, you may gasp and clutch at your pearls as the series dips into a more traditional battle of good versus evil.
The battle for Sabrina’s soul.
You see, Sabrina Spellman was born to a Warlock father and a mortal mother which makes her half witch and half mortal. The series opens to the days leading up to Sabrina’s 16th birthday, which is a significant occasion in witch tradition as it is when Sabrina chooses between the path of night and the path of light, it is when she chooses one life over the other, leave her mortal life behind and in doing so saying goodbye to her friends (Roz and Suzie) and her boyfriend, Harvey to become a full fledged witch and join the “Academy of Unseen Arts” (sort of like Hogwarts but without the four houses or Quidditch) where Sabrina will learn how to become a witch.
While Sabrina battles with this difficult decision, this also reflects one of the shows strongest themes, making your own decisions and choices against following a path and living a life that was “meant for you”. I’m happy to see that the characters (well, the mortal ones) are not taking any form of bullying sitting down and that these teenagers’ concerns don’t revolve around prom and the trivial things in life. They’re a pretty mature bunch and that’s a relief.
By the fourth episode, Sabrina, played brilliantly by Kiernan Shipka-whenever she is on screen, you just can’t keep your eyes off her, as she approaches the role with both an innocence and a strength, comes with a sort of compromise to her dilemma, as well as a new found mission.
What keeps your interest in the show is not just the titular heroine herself but her family, made up of the icy Aunt Zelda (Miranda Otto) and the lovable Aunt Hilda (Lucy Davis). I appreciated how the series also explores the Spellman sisters very complicated relationship. Sabrina also has a housebound cousin, the robe wearing, coffee drinking Ambrose (Chance Perdomo) who at the beginning starts of as a source of advice for the troubled teen but slowly gets an arc of his own (Yehey! More Ambrose please!)
Each of Sabrina’s mortal friends (and Harvey) also have their own conflicts to face, sometimes they also seem to come out of horror movies, now whether having a half witch as a friend will be an advantage or a disadvantage is something left to be seen.
While Sabrina has a pretty strong system with her family and friends (even though they may not all have the same idea of what would be good/best for her) there are also evil forces who desperately want Sabrina on “their side”.
The Weird Sisters (basically Mean Girls but also witches -that is just one bad combination right there) are sometimes allies to Sabrina but most of the time bullies her and gives her a hard time in their often coordinating outfits and dark lipsticks.
Father Blackwood (Richard Coyle) is the Headmaster at the Academy of Unseen Arts and is a high priest in their coven and will do all in his power to persuade Sabrina to the path of Night.
Probably the most dangerous yet is Michelle Gomez who plays the once shy and timid Miss Bardwell but who has now been possessed by a powerful “demoness” and is not afraid to use a spell or two to get the job done.
There are definitely a lot of interesting plots going on in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and unlike its counterpart over at “Riverdale” knows who they are and are unapologetic about it.
Oh and they have goo choice in 70’s rock music, “Devil Woman” by Cliff Richard is a favorite, the use of blurring camera edges is interesting, it either adds to the errie feel of the scene or it just makes the camera look dirty.
Episode 5 was a fun mini arc, which featured a Filipino demon and part of our folklore and no, it was not an “aswang” so that was interesting, it reminded me a bit of “Charmed” and “Grimm” the episode ended in a bit of a cliff hanger so I what to know what happens next.
“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” will be available on Netflix on October 26 with 10 episodes. I read that a second season has already been ordered.
Initial Rating: 7.5/10