TL;DR: Wednesday is a massive hit because it nails the "misfit" vibe and the deadpan humor we loved in the original The Addams Family. While it's rated TV-14, many parents find it acceptable for mature 11- and 12-year-olds, provided they can handle some stylized gore and a few jump scares. Season 2 is leaning even harder into the horror elements, so if your kid is squeamish, you might want to pre-screen.
Quick Links:
If you’ve been living under a rock (or just aren't on TikTok), Wednesday is the Netflix reimagining of the Addams Family’s eldest daughter. Directed in part by Tim Burton, the show follows Wednesday as she’s shipped off to Nevermore Academy—a boarding school for "Outcasts" (vampires, werewolves, sirens, and psychics).
It’s essentially a supernatural "whodunnit" mystery. Think Harry Potter meets Sherlock, but with a lot more black eyeliner and a severed hand named Thing who acts as a sidekick. It’s stylish, it’s witty, and it’s currently the blueprint for the "goth girl" aesthetic that has taken over middle schools everywhere.
It’s not just the viral dance to Lady Gaga’s "Bloody Mary" (which, fun fact, wasn't even the song used in the actual show). Kids are obsessed with Wednesday because she is the ultimate "IDGAF" icon. In a world where tweens feel constant pressure to perform on social media and fit into specific boxes, a character who is unapologetically weird, brilliant, and hostile to social norms is incredibly cathartic.
There's also the "Nevermore" factor. Like Hogwarts or the Camp Half-Blood, Nevermore Academy offers that escapist "found family" vibe where being different is the whole point. Plus, the mystery is actually engaging—it doesn't talk down to its audience.
The big question: Is it okay for my 10-year-old?
The official rating is TV-14, and for once, the rating is pretty accurate, though it leans toward the younger end of that spectrum.
The Gore Factor
This isn't Bluey. There are murders. There are dismembered body parts (kept in jars or found in the woods). The "monster" in Season 1 is fairly grotesque—think a bug-eyed, skinless humanoid that might give younger kids actual nightmares. However, the violence is "stylized." It feels like a Tim Burton movie—dark and creepy, but not "realistic" in a way that feels traumatizing for most kids over 11.
Language and Themes
The language is relatively mild for a teen show. You’ll hear some "hells" and "damns," but it’s not Euphoria. The themes involve secret societies, parental trauma (Wednesday’s strained relationship with Morticia), and some light romance/love triangles.
The "Mean" Factor
Wednesday is, by definition, mean. She’s cold, she’s blunt, and she can be borderline cruel to her "normie" peers. Most kids get that this is a character trope, but if you have a child who struggles with social cues, it’s worth a conversation about why Wednesday’s behavior works in a gothic mystery but would make you a social pariah at the local middle school.
Ask our chatbot for a comparison of Wednesday vs. Stranger Things maturity levels
Word from the set (and Jenna Ortega herself) is that Season 2 is ditching the teen romance plots and leaning heavy into horror.
This is a deliberate pivot. Season 1 had a bit of a "CW" vibe with the love interests, but the creators realized the audience really just wanted the spookiness. For parents, this means Season 2 might push those TV-14 boundaries further. If your kid barely made it through the monster reveals in the first season, you’ll want to be nearby when the new episodes drop.
If your kid has already binged Wednesday three times and is asking for more "dark but not too dark" content, here are the best bets:
Ages 9+ This is the perfect "bridge" show. It has that same gothic, deadpan humor and a highly stylized aesthetic, but it’s much safer for the younger crowd. It deals with dark themes (orphaned children, arson) but does so with a wink and a nod.
Ages 11+ If they liked the "boarding school for magical misfits" aspect of Nevermore, they’ll like this. It’s a bit more "fantasy" and a bit less "horror," but it hits the same friendship and identity beats.
Ages 10+ The OG Tim Burton classic. It’s essential viewing if they want to understand where the Wednesday visual style comes from. It’s campy, gross, and hilarious.
Ages 13+ This is a step up in intensity. It’s a mystery involving a magical house and "keys" that do supernatural things. It’s definitely darker and has some genuine horror elements, making it a great choice for older tweens who felt Wednesday was "too kiddy."
Ages 9+ If they like the "creepy" vibe but you want to stick to a movie format, Coraline is the gold standard. It’s stop-motion, beautiful, and genuinely unsettling in the best way possible.
Check out our full list of "Gothic Tween" media recommendations
Wednesday actually provides some great openings for real-talk parenting:
- The "Outcast" Label: Ask your kid why they think Nevermore students call themselves outcasts. Do they feel like an "outcast" or a "normie" at school? (Usually, every middle schooler feels like an outcast, which is why this show hits so hard).
- The Ethics of Truth: Wednesday often does the wrong thing for the right reasons (or just for the sake of the mystery). Talk about the scene where she releases piranhas in the pool. It’s funny in a show, but what are the real-world consequences of "vigilante justice"?
- Aesthetic vs. Reality: Discuss how the "goth" or "emo" aesthetic on TikTok is different from the actual character. It’s a good chance to talk about how social media turns personality traits into "trends."
Wednesday is one of those rare shows that actually lives up to the hype. It’s smart, well-acted, and visually stunning. For most families with kids 11 and up, it’s a fantastic "co-viewing" experience. You’ll appreciate the 90s nostalgia and the Christina Ricci cameo (she played Wednesday in the 91 film and returns as a teacher here), and they’ll appreciate the mystery and the vibe.
Just be prepared for a sudden spike in requests for black clothing and cello lessons.
- Watch the first episode together. You’ll know within 20 minutes if the "monster" elements are going to be a problem for your specific child.
- Check the privacy settings on TikTok if they are looking up the dance; the comments sections on those viral videos can be a cesspool of "Ohio" memes and brain rot.
- Explore the original source material. If they love the show, introduce them to the Charles Addams cartoons or the 60s TV show for a history lesson in pop culture.
Learn more about how to navigate "dark" media with your tween