Conner’s Critiques: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part One

Hello and welcome to Conner’s Critiques. My name is Conner Sharp and I’m very excited to return again to do another review for this website and share it all with you. My reviews/critiques will be based on three categories: Story, Acting, and Overall. So lets begin.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Part One, has been released, just in time for Halloween, so we wanted to tell you what we thought just in time for you to watch it before the holiday. I do warn however that there will be some spoilers for the show, and … the comic?

STORY: 6/10
This is a pretty interesting story, it’s compelling, it paints an interesting take on religion. They seem to take the important points of the Bible and attribute them to Satanists, but at the same time call the Christian God a “False God”. It just seems weird for some of it, but I’m not a theologist. Additionally, I know people will be upset that this show is pinning witches to Satan, and will say that witches are no Satanists, but I’ll counter that with, witches aren’t real, and if you think witches are, then I’m sorry you believe that?

They take major changes to the comic book, Removing her father Edward as the main foil, or so it seems, and focusing more on Satan being the major villain.

That being said, can every character please stop being so god damn important. I’m giving this a pass this season, but I will not do so if they continue the trend next season. Everything is so damn convenient. All of Sabrina’s circle include a psychic, a person who sees ghosts, and the descendant of a witch hunter. I mean, where is Sabrina’s friend who is just a regular teen? Do they not have that in Greendale? Also, why are so many important witches, and even Satan hanging out in this middle of no where shitty town?

I’m also tired of B-Stories, and the show itself seemed to be tired of them as well. When they decided to just forget about the possible witch hunter storyline that Ambrose Spellman was dealing with.

None of these questions are ever really answered.

ACTING: 9/10
Keirnan Shipka does a pretty great job as Sabrina Spellman. Lucy Davis shines as the lovable Hilda Spellman, while Miranda Otto is so hateable in her role as Zelda Spellman, it’s hard to not attribute it to the actress, which is mean, but shows her skill. Hell most of the cast is pretty awesome in their performance, but one member in my opinion stands out. Lachlan Watson and the character of Susie Putnam is amazing. The portrayal of the gender queer character, and the heartbreaking strides of the season are painful and important. While several times I felt myself saying, “why do I care about this character’s b story?”, when it came to Susie Putnam, I wanted to see more. When Roz’s Nana called Susie a fine young man, I loved it. I loved how more spiritual characters who see to the truth of matters see right through physical genders to the heart of the person. It feels more important sometimes then even the main character’s development.

OVERALL: 7.75/10
This show is a 10 episode run, with 10 more already ordered. Is it worth the watch? I don’t really think it will get you in the Halloween spirit, so if you are watching it for that, I am sorry. Halloween comes and passes in the first two episodes. If you are watching it because you want a good show showing complex stories about Satanism, religion, questioning one’s place in the world, and great acting, then it’s definitely a show you should watch.

I would warn close minded people, or the hyper religious that this show will push you past comfort zones.

Conner’s Final Thought(s):
I would not watch this show with young children, and impressionable youth. However, the fans of the original comic book series of the same name, and of the occult shows normally played out on the CW, you will enjoy your adventure through the episodes of this show. Be forewarned though, they do not resolve the questions of the season.