Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix starts out with a deliciously dark season 1. This is nothing like the old show and should satisfy most horror fans. Especially those who love witches and warlocks!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is the Netflix version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. And it is a completely different show.

Of course, we still get her aunts Zelda and Hilda. And Salem the black cat is there as well. So it the naive and lovable Harvey. But even though the characters are familiar, everything is much darker and horror-focused now.

Also, don’t worry, this isn’t an entire season of Sabrina trying to decide whether she should choose the path of light or night. That’s only an issue during the first few episodes. After that, we’re off and the story really gets started!

Do we like it? Hell yes. Do we love it? Oh yeah, we’re definitely getting there!

A whole new Sabrina

Forget all about the Melissa Joan Hart version of Sabrina. She was made for a TV comedy. This time around, we have the young Kiernan Shipka playing Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

When portrayed by Kiernan Shipka, Sabrina is not afraid to play hardball. Could you imagine the Melissa Joan Hart version threatening someone that she’d make them “choke on their own blood”?

Well, this Sabrina has no problem making such threats. And you definitely believe she’d do it!

You may know Kiernan Shipka from Mad Men or The Blackcoat’s Daughter. After watching her in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, you’ll definitely remember her from this!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix

Brilliant supporting cast

The sweet and kind Harvey is still extremely sweet and kind. Only this time he’s portrayed by Ross Lynch. Most people will probably know him from Disney Channel productions.

We immediately recognized him as the young Jeffrey Dahmer in My Friend Dahmer.

That shook us for a moment, but he is so very “Harvey” in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. You’ll almost find it hard to accept that it’s the same person.

Also, you should enjoy Lucy Davis (Etta the secretary from Wonder Woman) as the loving Hilda Spellman. And yes, fans of horror-comedy will probably also recognize her from Shaun of the Dead.

Miranda Otto (“I am no man!” Eowyn from Lord of the Rings) is perfectly cast as the much darker Zelda Spellman.

Finally, Michelle Gomez (Mizzy from Doctor Who) is a joy to watch as the teacher Mary Wardell. She is definitely one of my favorite badass characters on season 1 of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix

Horror, fantasy, drama show on Netflix

From the opening credits of the pilot episode, you’ll know that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is much darker. It’s got a dark comic book vibe which is exactly what this story needs.

And yes, the Netflix show does take place in the same universe as The CW show Riverdale but it’s not really part of season 1. The creator of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and yes, he did also create Riverdale.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is all about horror, drama, and fantasy. With a little dash of dark humor every now and then. To me, he has created a very enjoyable horror version that most fans should enjoy.

However, this isn’t a horror show like The Haunting of Hill House. Then again, what is? Mike Flanagan hit the ball out of the park with that one. But… this is very much what you could hope a new take on the Sabrina character would be.

Season 1 of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is out on Netflix worldwide from October 26, 2018.

Season 2 of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has already been announced ahead of its season 1 premiere. You know that’s a pretty good sign Netflix already know they’ve got a hit on their hands.

Details

Creator: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis, Ross Lynch, Jaz Sinclair, Lachlan Watson, Richard Coyle, Chance Perdomo, Tati Gabrielle, Michelle Gomez, Bronson Pinchot

Plot

As her 16th birthday nears, Sabrina must choose between the witch world of her family and the human world of her friends.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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