Wednesday Season 2 drew generally favorable but divided first reviews: critics often praised Jenna Ortega’s deadpan performance and the series’ gothic style, while disagreeing over whether a larger Addams-family presence enriches the show or pulls focus from its lead. The phrase “mayhem in the best way possible” comes from Radio Times critic David Opie—not a unanimous verdict.
These first reactions were published around the August 6, 2025 launch of the season’s first four episodes. Netflix released the remaining four on September 3, 2025, so the early reviews describe the initial reception, not a final or timeless critical consensus.
What did critics like about Wednesday Season 2?
Jenna Ortega remains a central draw
The strongest recurring praise was for Ortega’s performance as Wednesday. In Rotten Tomatoes’ first-reviews roundup, Radio Times critic David Opie said she had “further honed it to perfection,” pointing to subtle changes in the character’s stoic physicality. TheWrap’s Michel Ghanem highlighted her steely deadpan and sardonic one-liners.
Opie also called the season “mayhem in the best way possible” and argued that it built on what worked in Season 1 while improving on its shortcomings. Variety’s Aramide Tinubu described the new season as as thrilling as the first. These are positive individual assessments, not a claim that every critic agreed.
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Gothic visuals and a bigger Addams presence
Several reviewers welcomed the show’s gothic visual identity. Tinubu praised its visual delights, and Los Angeles Times critic Lorraine Ali discussed a black-and-white claymation sequence. IndieWire’s Ben Travers, however, saw limited evidence of director Tim Burton’s inspiration beyond that passage.
The family also takes up more space in the story. Netflix confirms expanded roles for Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley; Rotten Tomatoes’ roundup characterizes the result as an “ookier and spookier ensemble.” Consequence’s Liz Shannon Miller liked Steve Buscemi’s fit with the series, while Daily Telegraph critic Ed Power praised Joanna Lumley as Hester Frump.
What were the main reservations?
Does the ensemble crowd out Wednesday?
The larger family is also the clearest point of disagreement. The Hollywood Reporter’s Daniel Fienberg argued that the series had become The Addams Family, rather than remaining a story chiefly organized around Wednesday. He described the season as “more of the same, only more convoluted and less Ortega-y.” Travers similarly called Ortega a sustaining highlight but felt Wednesday too often became one part of an ensemble. Other critics welcomed the family expansion, so this is a real divide rather than a settled consensus.
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Are the mystery and jokes sharp enough?
Reviewers split on both story and comedy. GamesRadar+ critic Lauren Milici praised a complex, exciting mystery with refreshing twists. Other reactions in the Rotten Tomatoes roundup and Metacritic’s displayed review excerpts point to a convoluted or meandering plot, uneven tone, and jokes that can feel less sharp or memorable. Radio Times praised the dry one-liners; Los Angeles Times and IndieWire reactions were more skeptical of their consistency.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSome critics also noted increased gore and a darker, more complex direction. Those are changes in tone and content, not proof of a shared judgment about whether the season is better.
How did the two-part release affect the first reviews?
The first four episodes arrived on Netflix on August 6, 2025; the remaining four arrived on September 3, 2025. Consequence’s Miller warned viewers to expect only a short stay at Nevermore before an “annoying” wait for the rest. That complaint concerned the original rollout: Netflix reported on September 3 that all eight episodes were streaming.
Rank #3
The split matters when reading the first-review roundup. Its reactions appeared around the first batch’s launch, before the season was complete for viewers. The two-part schedule shaped the viewing experience critics were discussing, but it is no longer a wait viewers face when starting the season now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the review scores say?
Aggregator scores offer a snapshot, not a substitute for the contrasting arguments above. On October 3, 2026, Rotten Tomatoes displayed an 87% Tomatometer from 99 critic reviews and a 76% Popcornmeter from 1,000+ audience ratings. On the same date, Metacritic displayed a 66 Metascore from 31 critic reviews, divided into 20 positive, 10 mixed and one negative review.
These figures come from separate services with different methods and can change as pages update. Rotten Tomatoes percentages should not be compared directly with Metacritic’s weighted score as if they measured the same thing.
Rank #4
Is Wednesday Season 2 worth watching?
The early reviews make the season a plausible pick for viewers who value Ortega’s controlled comic performance, gothic atmosphere and a wider view of the Addams family. The main caution is that the expanded ensemble and more complicated mystery do not work equally well for every critic; some wanted Wednesday to remain more firmly at the center, and reactions to the comedy’s sharpness differed.
Netflix’s description, attributed to co-showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, frames Wednesday’s return as “darker and more complex” as she navigates family, friends, mysteries and old adversaries. That captures the direction, not a promise that every reviewer found the balance successful.
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