“Wednesday” (2022) is a supernatural mystery series released on Netflix, directed in part by Tim Burton. The story follows Wednesday Addams, the iconic gothic teenager from the Addams Family, as she is sent to a strange boarding school for outcasts and becomes entangled in a deadly mystery.
The Beginning: Wednesday’s Expulsion
The series opens with Wednesday Addams attending a normal high school. After discovering that a group of boys bullied her younger brother Pugsley, she takes revenge in her own dark and creative way—by releasing piranhas into the school swimming pool during water polo practice.
The incident leads to her expulsion. Her parents, Gomez and Morticia Addams, decide to send her to Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts, monsters, and supernatural individuals. It is the same school where they once fell in love.
Wednesday has no interest in making friends or fitting in. She plans to escape the school as soon as possible.
Life at Nevermore Academy
At Nevermore, Wednesday meets several unusual students:
- Enid Sinclair – her colorful, cheerful werewolf roommate
- Bianca Barclay – a confident siren and the most popular girl at school
- Xavier Thorpe – a mysterious artist with psychic abilities
- Eugene – a shy boy who loves bees
Wednesday also meets Principal Larissa Weems, a shapeshifter who used to attend school with Morticia, and Ms. Thornhill, the kind and supportive botany teacher.
Despite her antisocial nature, Wednesday begins to adjust to the strange environment. She also starts experiencing psychic visions, a power she inherited from her mother.
The First Murder and the Monster in the Woods
Soon after Wednesday’s arrival, a series of brutal murders occurs near the school. Victims are found torn apart by a mysterious creature.
Wednesday becomes obsessed with solving the mystery. Her visions begin showing glimpses of the monster and clues about the killings. She believes the creature is connected to Nevermore Academy.
As she investigates, she forms reluctant alliances with other students and even develops a complicated relationship with two boys:
- Tyler, a friendly barista in town
- Xavier, the brooding Nevermore student
The Legend of the Gates Family
While researching the history of the town, Wednesday discovers an old story about Joseph Crackstone, a religious fanatic who founded the town and hated outcasts. He once led a campaign to destroy them.
She also uncovers the story of the Gates family, descendants of Crackstone, who had a dark connection to the outcasts. The family supposedly died out years ago after a tragic incident.
Wednesday begins to suspect that the recent murders are tied to this ancient hatred.
The Hyde Revealed
Through her investigations and visions, Wednesday eventually learns that the monster is a Hyde—a violent creature that is controlled by a “master.”
After following several clues, she discovers the shocking truth:
Tyler is the Hyde.
Tyler was being controlled and manipulated into killing by someone else. He reveals his true nature and becomes violent, confirming Wednesday’s fears.
The Real Mastermind
At first, Wednesday suspects several people, including Xavier. But the real mastermind is revealed to be someone she trusted:
Ms. Thornhill, the kind teacher, is actually Laurel Gates, the last surviving member of the Gates family. She had been hiding her identity and planning revenge against Nevermore and all outcasts.
Thornhill manipulated Tyler into becoming the Hyde and used him as a weapon to carry out her plan.
The Resurrection of Crackstone
Thornhill captures Wednesday and prepares a ritual. Her ultimate goal is to resurrect Joseph Crackstone and use him to wipe out all outcasts once and for all.
She succeeds in bringing Crackstone back to life. The resurrected fanatic begins attacking Nevermore, destroying parts of the school and targeting its students.
The Final Battle
Despite being gravely injured, Wednesday is revived through her psychic powers. She confronts Crackstone in a final battle.
With the help of her friends—especially Enid, who finally transforms into a full werewolf—Wednesday defeats Crackstone and stops Thornhill’s plan.
Thornhill is arrested, Tyler is captured, and the immediate threat is over.
The Aftermath
The school closes early for the semester due to the damage. Students return home, and Wednesday prepares to leave Nevermore.
However, she receives a mysterious message from an unknown sender, suggesting that someone is watching her and that new dangers may lie ahead.
For the first time, Wednesday realizes she may actually care about the friends she made—and that Nevermore might be the place where she truly belongs.
Themes and Meaning
The series explores several major themes:
- Identity and self-acceptance
- Friendship and emotional growth
- The danger of prejudice and hatred
- Family legacy and personal destiny
