Netflix’s ‘Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina’ Casts A Wickedly Wonderful Coming-Of-Age Spell [Review]

The witching hour is most definitely upon us, and as Halloween draws near, streaming giant Netflix is adding a new original series to its ever-growing catalog of titles. Inspired by the Archie comic of the same name, “Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina” is a spooky and stylish adaptation of the devilish coming-of-age tale. However, don’t expect this to be a reboot of the late-’90s “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” as ‘Chilling Adventures’ has more in common with the CW’s “Riverdale” than the ABC sitcom. A cousin of sorts to “Riverdale,” “Sabrina” dabbles in the occult with just the right ingredients to brew an entertaining concoction for the coven to enjoy.

“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” based on the comic book story written by showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, is the latest Archie comic to make the leap to TV. However, unlike the aforementioned “Riverdale,” which has a heavy dose of teen melodrama with a side of David Lynch-ian mystery, ‘Chilling Adventures’ is whole-heartedly a horror series. For those not familiar with the comic book of the same name, ‘Chilling Adventures’ opens to the world of Greendale, where Sabrina Spellman must decide on her 16^th birthday if she will sign herself over to The Dark Lord, embracing her witch side, or maintain the mortal life she has come to know, with the friends she loves. Naturally, all Hellfire breaks loose. It’s up to Sabrina and the cast of characters to confront the dark forces of both worlds.

As a town that seems perpetually stuck in the mood for Halloween, Greendale mimics every detail of the holiday. There are decorations, cobwebs, and dimly-lit rooms that feel more haunting than inviting. The entirety of the Spellman house is like a menagerie of long-forgotten, spooky bobbles. The production design and overall style is engrossing and doesn’t let up for a second, down to the costuming of the characters feeling more akin to a ‘60s horror film than a 2018 teen drama series. Everything fits, with the style and homages just adding to the ambiance of the show.

Most of the runtime in each episode is spent adding depth to supporting characters and bolstering the intentions of the main players. Sabrina’s friends, Harvey, Susie, and Ros develop over the series, make their arcs more involving with each passing episode. Of the three, Susie Putnam, played by non-binary actor Lachlan Watson, offers a layered and textured story that anchors the show for its teen-targeted audience. It is storylines like Susie’s that make the mixture of teen drama and supernatural work. Intertwining and balancing two different worlds in very human – or in the show’s case, mortal – ways.

Kiernan Shipka, of “Mad Men” fame, tries to find steady footing within her two worlds in the title role, but sadly falls a little short. Shipka has all the ferocity and resilience to take on The Dark Lord. However, when it comes to the more relaxed moments, Shipka seems rigid and uncomfortable. Perhaps, the stiffness is a result of playing to Sabrina’s constant struggle to maintain some semblance of order and normalcy in her dual role, but as the series progresses (Netflix only provided the first half of the season), hopefully, Shipka will find the firm balance of the character. Miranda Otto and Michelle Gomez give wicked series’ standout performances, with Richard Coyle and Lucy Davis rounding out the prominent adult roles with magical fervor.

If there is a drawback to the series, some viewers may find the episodes’ runtime quite a commitment. While some of Netflix’s best shows are able to handle episodic stories in the time of 25-45 minutes, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” runs at least 50 minutes per episode. Some moments begin to feel like a slog, but by and large, each episode is full of interesting details and moments in sub-plots that serve the main arc, save for one episode with an ending that doesn’t wholly justify the trek to get there.

Despite the few hiccups and one overlong episode, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” is a wicked good time. The first season is a spooky ride through a haunted town that remains grounded in the world and stories of teen mortals while balancing witchcraft and dark forces. With plenty of scares and a lot of style, “Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina” is a wicked and wonderful concoction. [B]

“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” hits Netflix on October 26.