Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020) User Reviews

Went from a promising dark teen series to a total train wreck

[dietaube · 6/10 · 6 January 2021]

The series starts strong in the first season with interesting characters and a dark tone, that the original didn't have. But sadly it all goes down quickly for an almost lighthearted goofy series at the end, including lots of singing and dancing and mysterious strong characters turning into silly shadows of themselves at the end. Characters who have had a strong goal seem to just be carried away to a point of just existing for the sake of being there. Character development jumps back and forth, in one episode they feel this way, in another they feel the opposite and so on. Furthermore the story becomes more ridiculous on every episode leading to a total train wreck that is the finale.

I really recommend the first season and then just forget that there are three more to watch.

The final episode cost it a star

[mhorg2018 · 7/10 · 4 January 2021]

A very entertaining show with a great lead and supporting cast. Bringing in the two actresses who played Sabrina's aunt's in the TV show (which I never watched) was a great Easter egg. But the finale was a downer and felt rushed.

Part 1 and 2 were awesome, now part 3 is turned into some cheesy teen pop musical series

[taito-300-754519 · 9/10 · 6 February 2020]

Why did they have to kill all the nice dark chills this show had in part 3? How did they even suppose it'll be a good thing to kill what the show was and was loved by us the audience for and turn it into some cheesy teen pop musical instead? I see no logic in ruining something that was just right and had a fan base and turn it into something very different by adding these repulsive scenes that were almost never in the previous two parts and totally changing the feel of the show. I'm disappointed, I loved the previous parts, but now since part 3's 2nd episode I am not even sure if I want to continue watching it, too much cringe. It seems like this cheesy teen singing stuff just killed it for me. Thanks a lot for ruining yet another good series that had great potential.

What's wrong with season 3?

[faewithpowers · 8/10 · 25 January 2020]

Why Sabrina is a musical now? I am very disappointed.

Seasons 1 & 2 are great. Season 3 is bad.

[babbittc · 8/10 · 8 April 2020]

The first two seasons are great. Great writing, great theming, great plots, music and mood is excellent. Even the acting is really good. Then at the very last episode of season 2 you can just feel what's coming, it's like everyone is thinking, wow, our show is really popular now and we can just do whatever we want next season. The first episode of season 3 is total cornball. The music is stupid. The acting is cheesy/corny. The writing is awful. It's like the show went directly from Netflix to Nickelodeon. I don't know if all the producers and writers walked away or what happened but the show just sucks now. We literally had to step away from a show that we blissfully binge watched for two seasons and that saddens me.

Mixed bag

[Calicodreamin · 6/10 · 10 January 2021]

The first two seasons are exceptional, the third and fourth seasons descend into poorly written madness. Overall, I'd say I'm glad I watched but also glad its over. Decent acting and good cinematography throughout.

Poor direction,no storyline, confusing title. pathetic show

[meghna-gautam27 · 28 October 2018]

Why did u do it netflix ? why ? why did u take our fav show frm childhood & ruined it beyond recovery. Riverdale itself is a mediocre show & d same director for sabrina. I don know where to start d show is nothin about magic , spells , good visuals or for dat matter a storyline.The visuals are cheap as if its shot in a freaking tent !. The actings skills of most of the actors including sabrina sometimes not dat fascinating. It could have been a beautiful show instead one having cheap background scenes , overacting, 0 storyline & poor poor direction. Even if its a new adaptation & not a remake it could have been so mch more about the witches & spells & magic rather than js a girl trying to prove her point & claim her freedom.How is that witchery ? Not sure what they are trying to show. Bad bad bad show man

Part 3 what?

[adamsra-73328 · 8/10 · 25 January 2020]

Was so excited for the part 3 release but was disappointed quickly. So much going on everywhere in part 3 it was hard to keep my attention. Hopeful for a part 4 comeback as this series still has potential somewhere.

A Watered-down Version of a Stellar Horror Comic

[scarlettyforest · 6/10 · 26 October 2018]

IMDb crashed and deleted my long review, so :'''))) I'm going to keep this short: I understand why fans of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" are rating this series so highly, because they think it's a fresh and exciting take, however, this is a poor adaptation of the actual comic this is based on, a horror comic titled "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Moving past the fresh and exciting ideas of the comic, it's not a compelling representation of them.

• This series waters down SO much. In the original comic, there was a heavy emphasis on Sabrina's aunts being cannibals, graphic scenes of Hell and Satanic rituals, nudity and gore were EVERYWHERE. It immediately set a legitimate horror tone for the comic, whereas you never get the feeling in this tv show like something bad might happen to the characters. It feels too "nice" and like an obvious tv production, like Riverdale. There's not the same standard of narrative tension.

-They also jumble up the story wildly (and remove some of the best aspects) from the comic - I assume to stretch it out so they can add them in later. And while you can argue that this is an adaptation and it doesn't need to be the same, the point is that it's not better - in fact, it's less interesting. For an example - this isn't even a spoiler because its not in the show - in the comic, Harvey follows Sabrina to her dark baptism and get murdered/eaten by witches (and then brought back to life through necromancy). But the point of him being there was incredibly important to **certain** decisions for Sabrina, and it's exciting (hello!! murdering the love interest and then necromancy? awesome). But they just cut it out. And the resulting scene is just, less important for her as a character, and its duller

-There are storylines inserted (mainly high school drama ones) that add nothing to the show other than confusing its tone.

-Netflix shows should have the luxury of "showing" not "telling" and allowing for a more cinematic experience. I couldn't count the number of times that people's backstories and personalities were just explained through dialogue instead of showing us.

• There's a couple of problems with continuity, jarring edits and an overuse of short focal length and blur in the cinematography. To me, this plays like something which should have been picked up on in the edit, and been fixed during reshoots (which is a professional standard) but it wasn't.

Overall, there are positives about this series (set design is good, it is also atmospheric in places, and I don't mind the actors), but when you really look at this series, it plays like Riverdale, which is ""okay"" if they're pandering to a younger audience, but this series could have been something GREAT in the vein of more serious adaptations like the Haunting of Hill House. I highly recommend that if you're unsure about what I'm talking about, read the comic series "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina", because it's definitely more arresting than this.

Not bad, but a little on the annoying side

[watkinsleesa · 7/10 · 1 November 2018]

After recently reading the comics of the same title, I was extremely excited for this series. I found it a refreshing spin on the original 90's version, which was cute but I was never that in to it. But, honestly you really can't call this a remake. My biggest issues are with Sabrina's annoying damn friends. This ridiculous obsession with Harvey and the hypocrisy that is her "i don't want to join the club but i want the benefits" mindset. Like it exhausting watching her put her friends and family in danger constantly and then turn around and say she's doing it all so that she can maintain her freedom. Overall i still like the show and some of the main characters, but it's a bit tiresome watching Sabrina's silly character run all over the place.

So much wasted potential.

[teiixeiral · 5/10 · 4 January 2021]

In the beginning this show was a breath of fresh air. The sets and overall visual style of the show created such a rich atmosphere and the story was enthralling to watch. Witch shows are rarely this dark and satanic but it worked.

Unfortunately, each season the writing/story got worse, not better. In the end, season 4 was an empty, boring mess. I actually get why Netflix cancelled it because the quality of the writing had drastically decreased with every season and the expensive budget surely wasn't feasible any longer considering people have definitely stopped watching.

This is the second show that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has now destroyed with his horrible writing/pacing. He's quickly becoming one of those showrunners who cannot sustain good storytelling throughout a series run.

Horrible

[morning-glory-17023 · 7 November 2018]

This so called remake is a terrible movie. It is nothing close to the a regional beloved TV show and shouldn't even be called a remake. Producers a just ruining good shows. Will not watch.

So, so bad

[kimberleyvewhite · 8/10 · 28 October 2018]

I wanted to love this show . I was completely fine with it not being like the sitcom . I love dark shows and witches but Sabrina is so annoying . The writing is so corny and Sabrina and Zelda speak so stuck up. Not because of Zelda's accent . When Sabrina goes of on her little rants her voice gets so uppity. And she's a terrible actor . Also do we really need to get political ? No one in high school acts like this . Sooooo bad

Chilling

[manukrishnano · 9/10 · 8 June 2022]

I recently finished all the episodes. It was a dark mood from the beginning to end, i was very much excited to watch every new episodes. The perfomance of the character who played Sabrina was outstanding and nothing to say about it . At the last episode my heartbeat raised and felt a dark. After all it was a wonderful series.

I was expecting more

[cavarollpepe · 6/10 · 22 November 2018]

I was excited based on previews but after the pilot I don't think I can watch anymore. The "what year is this" idea is fun and I've seen it used successfully elsewhere but it doesn't really work here (it's the 1960s, but woke!). Sabrina is played in a very polished, actor-ly way, which works against the dark vibe the show is otherwise trying to establish.

As the episodes go further my interest go lower

[info-21332 · 8/10 · 29 October 2018]

At the beginning I was amazed by show, loved the touch of horror and crime, loved the conflict between aunties/sisters Zelda and Hilda. But, few last episodes were boring mainly because of main character Sabrina. Why she can't be smart, wicked, good and bad in same time. They had to ruin her with '' choose help from stranger, over your own family?! " seriously?! Waiting for season 2 to see if they will change the way how they will proceed with Sabrina character. The rest of the characters are amazingly good written.

Still on the fence after 7 episodes.

[dklecan · 6/10 · 18 December 2018]

Loved the original Sabrina. A lighthearted story about a witch, her goofy cat, aunts, and teenage problems. A show that you can watch any time, any episode and have fun. This version, except for the fact that the Sabrina actress looks very much like the original, has little similarities.

I can't think of any pros but i can up with tons of cons: 1) it is very slow moving, 2) Sabrina, the protagonist is an annoyong "know it all," 3) there is the Dark Lord, satanism, demons, cannabilism, hell, monsters in a mine, and other creept gross things which are all over-emphasized over the witches theme, 4) the show takes itself extremely serious, there are very few moments of lightheartiness, 5) the show is too dark!!! (And by dark i mean I can't see it! I live in the Southwest...lots of sunlight, windows, skylights, I actually can't watch the show during the day), and lastly, 6) like every show in the 21st century, it has tons conspiracies, so episodes have to be streamed consecutively.

Remember Reaper? The hilarous CW show, where the son of the devil and his slacker co-workers at Home Depot battle demons. Why can't they produce shows like that...a fun balance betwee teen angst, demons, and comedy? Everyone takes the demon demon fantasy shows so serious!!

Pulpy and Entertaining

[Farganger · 10/10 · 8 April 2019]

I've enjoyed both seasons, but the second really got cooking about half way through. Very much looking forward to the next two seasons.

Refreshingly Different

[tkelley-60727 · 10/10 · 7 April 2019]

This is my first review and deservingly so. Its cheeky, daramatic, pleasantly gory, and it has perfect moments of needed comedy. NETFLIX did a great job with this one.

Potential but...

[patrick-oc · 6/10 · 14 November 2018]

There's no jeopardy. None. We know she grows up to be a teenage witch then goes off to college, so let's not pretend she's ever in mortal peril. Find me another hook? There's some clever writers, you can do it.

Whilst you're at it, please hire Michelle Gomez another voice coach. Or even better, just let her use her own voice. She is a fabulous actress, wonderful to look at and fills every role she's ever taken, full of awesomeness. Except for when she speaks in This show and I'm transported to any of a thousand park benches in the UK, occupied by a drunken Glaswegian.

The cast is really strong. Please, give them a script and storylines to reflect their talent. Lighten up a bit too. I couldn't care less what path Sabrina chooses. Neither are exactly free of teen angst or dreariness. At least Buffy had some humour. And she clearly provided some storylines along with Supernatural.

And to the director: THERES NO SHAME IN HAVING YOUR CAMERAS IN FOCUS.

I won't give up on you. I still have visions of marrying Mellisa Joan, so I feel I owe it to myself.

Season 3 ruined the series

[katharineacuff-79976 · 5/10 · 25 January 2020]

Season 3 is Scooby Doo meets Highs School Musical. The musical numbers that are jammed into the episodes make no sense

Eh

[Gottobeme · 29 October 2018]

Started watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but can't get into it for many reasons. For one, I dislike the casual references to "killing." In one episode, Sabrina tells Ambrose, "I don't want you to hurt him (the principal) too bad." Two seconds later when she and Ambrose are casting a spell on the principal, Ambrose says, "Are you sure you don't want me to kill him? 'Cause I can."

Then in another scene/episode, Auntie Zee "kills" the other Auntie because "she was getting on my nerves." Of course, the Auntie comes back to life soon after... I also realize this is a dark show and that it's fiction, but in the murderous culture of today, I just don't like the casual references to killing anymore. This is a TEEN show and it just didn't sit well with me. Perhaps I'm getting old. There seems to be some man bashing going on too. As far as structure and theme... Not sure. My 2 cents.

Please stop with the forced lessons

[utg001 · 9/10 · 29 October 2018]

Every movie/TV series has a plot that you have to believe real just in order to go with the story, where most fail is to follow that plot properly. Most TV series I've seen fall flat on their faces within minutes and that ruins the whole point of watching TV for relaxation. You would see characters say things or do actions that make no sense whatsoever no matter how twisted the plot is.

Thankfully, "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" makes an excellent job of following its plot and that basically is enough for me to rate it higher than any average show. However there are certain other problems that I find worrisome, not for this series in particular but for media in general. Tiny spoilers that don't reveal anything story wise follow.

These past few years, almost every single movie/TV series I've seen has shown me gay/lesbian characters, characters trying to win me over by saying "You think that because I'm black?", characters trying to tell me its okay and that I can be whoever I want and be with whoever I want. Guys, I get that stuff, the first few times I understood that as reference to popular movements going on at the time, but now it really feels like such characters are forced to include rather than using whats needed. Is our society in general so much infused with a sense of teaching people about #BlackLivesMatter that we have to include them in every single show? Is LGBT community or heck, even vegitarians so common that we have to have characters in every movie literally show people that they belong to certain community or prefer certain diet? I'm not really against that, but going out of your plot just to show them doesn't do your movie any justice.

Why don't we have people saying in movies "I can eat anything" or "I am a straight person". Because that is pointless. I watch TV to relax, not to drag myself back into social mess. Why would a witch have to deal with a friend who is vegetarian? She shouldn't care about that. Please stop forcing things into media. Let media incorporate them naturally. At this point such tactics only make it worse for the people enjoying the movie. I've only seen a handful where a vegetarian or LGBT person has been portrayed without looking like it was forced in, sadly this is my only gripe with this show.

A great show with a s@&t ending

[jsucie · 9/10 · 4 January 2021]

I absolutely loved this show and the world of a darker Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The characters were compelling. The sets were amazing. The darker tone is definitely more appealing to watch than the "made for tv" one of yester-year. This show is not for the faint of heart or bible-thumping blowhards.

The only real gripe I have with this show and why I'm not giving it a 10 is the crap series finale that ranks as bad as the worst ending in tv history. Sopranos anyone? Netflix easily could have given this show another 2 "parts" and conclude it with Sabrina turning 18 but nope. Cost cutting good shows so Netflix can make more crap movies. It's weird that a company that can give us such compelling tv to watch completely craps the bed when it comes to movies. Shame on you Netflix for ending this so early.

Binging after

[taryndevolin · 7/10 · 3 November 2018]

I am binging this show right after "Haunting of Hill House" so I am slightly disappointed. It's okay, don't get me wrong, but I can see myself getting bored after 1 or 2 seasons. Also, I hate the blurry camera shots.