For those who followed the 1996 Sabrina the Teenage Witch sitcom or comics, you are familiar with the clumsy but good-hearted witch-human. Along with her cat Salem and mortal boyfriend Harvey, Sabrina Spellman became a well-known character amongst the general public. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, however, is a darker take on the light-hearted series.
Adapted from the comic book series with the same name, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows Sabrina’s struggle to live a normal life as a half-witch. That doesn’t sound so dark, right? Let’s rephrase; Sabrina struggles to live a normal life while fighting against evil forces threatening her loved ones. They’re not cartoony evil forces either, since they don’t shy away from gore and torture. No spoilers, but please keep the gore in mind.
Filmed in Vancouver and British Columbia, season one contains 10 episodes, each almost an hour long. The show keeps up with the times by having a diverse cast and storylines that speak to minorities. However, despite Chilling Adventures’ intentions, the show fails to bury a significant and harmful stereotype, one you might recognize when you see it.
This Sabrina Spellman isn’t the goofy teenager who’d turn you into a pineapple by mistake, but one who isn’t afraid to use her powers for revenge. While she’s still sweet and innocent, Sabrina is tempted by the darker side of having witch powers which involve controlling other beings. Not to mention her strong views on patriarchy and freedom of choice. The original Sabrina wasn’t nearly as complex, but hey, it’s a darker version for a reason.
Bottom line: it’s not a show for everybody. Watching or liking Riverdale won’t affect your interest in any way since it’s a stand-alone series. But if shows with a darker twist are your cup of tea, then buckle up. Since the ‘Up Next’ is so compelling, try to keep your food an arm’s length away. Or, you could keep the cannibalism and human sacrifices in mind and keep the food far away. Your choice.
