TV Review: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)

Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch is back, but this time with a darker tone to it. 

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In the town of Greendale, witches live among mortals in secret. With her upcoming 16th birthday, Sabrina Spellman, who is half witch and half mortal, must decide whether to follow the Dark Lord or remain among her mortal friends. The decision isn’t an easy one for Sabrina, even without her two aunts pressuring her, but forces from beyond also want a say in the matter.

Let me start off by saying this series is not the fun, cute, Melissa Joan Hart version. Nor is she Archie comics version most people are used to unless you are reading the current comic series. This a dark and mature story. And there are jump scares and a little gore to this version, but it works so well.

The entire look of Sabrina looks like a cross between the show Riverdale and something Tim Burton would think up. But it works! I’m not surprised it can fit into the world of Riverdale as it was created by the same team who created Riverdale. There’s even a quick mention of Riverdale in the series. So it’s all connected!

But seriously, this show is wonderfully dark. Take for instance Sabrina’s cat Salem. In this series, he is a familiar: a goblin that takes on the appearance of a cat. The relationship of Sabrina’s aunts, Hilda and Zelda, is a twisted version of just about any old comedy team. 

Kiernan Shipka does an amazing job as Sabrina. Like most people, my first exposure to Kiernan was her playing Sally Draper in Mad Men. As the show went on, you could really see her acting talent come out. Kiernan plays a girl at a crossroads with so much finesse. She is a strong young female character and we truly need those these days. 

Kieran is surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Ross Lynch as Sabrina’s boyfriend Harvey Kinkle. When these two are together you can really see their on-screen chemistry. They really come across like a real couple.

Lucy Davis and Miranda Otto play Sabrina’s aunts Hilda and Zelda. Hilda comes across as flighty, but not that into the entire witch culture, while Zelda is all about tradition, but is still very protective of her niece.

Chance Perdomo plays her cousin Ambrose. He always an ear to lend Sabrina and will catch her if she falls.

Richard Coyle plays Father Blackwood, the High Priest of the Church of Night. He’s always in conflict with Sabrina.

And finally, there the main antagonist Madam Satan who is disguised as Sabrina’s favorite teacher Mary Wardell. Actress Michelle Gomez does an excellent job playing her.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina this is a coming of age story and one about the decisions we make and how our choices affect our lives and the lives of the ones around us. 

Overall this is a great show. It moves at a good pace and does an incredible job telling its story. 

It’s only 10 episodes but it left me wanting more!

All episodes of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina air exclusive on Netflix, October 26th. Just in time for Halloween!