It’s safe to say if you grew up in the nineties, you knew about Goosebumps. The children’s horror series written by R.L Stein was a staple in my household. I would read some every night before bed and watch it every Saturday morning. So, a new modern refresh of the series had me pretty excited, if not a bit worried that it would veer too hard into Riverdale territory. Thankfully, after the first five episodes, I can say this is a good viewing, especially for fans of the nineties show.
While there is no direct correlation between the two, it does its own takes on some of the all-time classic episodes and books. Although the original series was not connected and each tale was its own individual story, Goosebumps 2023 has an overarching connected plot.
Following Isaiah (Zack Morris), James (Miles McKenna), Margot (Isa Briones), Isabella (Ana Yi Puig), and Lucas (Will Price) after partying on Halloween at the infamous Biddle house, where a teen had died years ago. Each has its own individual haunted moments. At the same time, their party gets broken up by the new house owner and English teacher Nathan Bratt (Justin Long), who, after confronting one of the teens at school the next day, ends up possessed by Harold Biddle. All of the mysteries come back to how and why Harold Biddle was killed back in the nineties.
“Although the original series was not connected and each tale was its own individual story, Goosebumps 2023 has an overarching connected plot.”
Each episode tackles Goosebumps titles from Cuckoo Clock Of Doom to The Haunted Mask. Because each title is given its own distinct episode, we not only get these great horror moments that each book was known for but also wrapped in this overarching mystery that promises to be something to behold. Especially since, so far, all episodes have led to the grand return of Slappy.
As we follow the teens through their respective journeys, Isaiah kicks off our journey with “Say Cheese And Die,” in which if a picture is taken through this old Polaroid camera, you can see how that person will die. After a few pictures have been taken and Isaih realizes what is happening, he has his picture taken and has to deal with his own death photo. This is the episode that kicks off the group forming. At first, no one believes Isaiah, but as they have their own journey, they form a tight-knit group. This first episode leans more into the horror aspect of it all and really sets the tone that this is Goosebumps but all grown up.
Followed up by one of the more popular books is The Haunted Mask. Isabella heads this one as she is more of your meek, awkward teen, invisible to everyone around her until a mysterious mask found at the Halloween party gives her the confidence she needs. Until the masks starts turning her into something else. It’s towards the end of the second episode that Goosebumps starts to find itself.
While it’s the third episode and a personal favourite of mine, Cuckoo Clock Of Doom, that sees James repeating the same aspect of the Halloween party over and over again, this is where we see the group really start to form and get the sense that the parents of the teens have a hand in the murder of Harold Biddle.
This is also where more of the overarching storyline starts to take off, with the possessed Mr. Bratt looking for someone, but long-time fans of the series will know exactly who. The comedic cheesyness of Goosebumps really shines through in Cuckoo Clock Of Doom, as well as the horror elements, and it feels like this is genuinely a reimagining of the original series nineties kids loved so much.
The fourth and fifth episodes, “Go Eat Worms” and “Readers Beware,” are individually weaker as they shift focus away from the individual and more towards the group and the Harold Biddle mystery. With Readers Beware leading us into what promises to be an incredible confrontation with HIM. So far, the series quickly found its footing in the slapstick-esque horror aimed at teens. It has done well in intertwining all the stories today to fit nicely into a singular story surrounding a central mystery.
“The comedic cheesyness of Goosebumps really shines through in Cuckoo Clock Of Doom…”
With a solid cast, all the terrible teenage emotions come to life, with Miles McKenna being a personal standout as they really nail the comedic best friend and are at their prime during the Cuckoo Clock Of Doom episode. Justin Long also does a great job of acting as a creepy teenager possessing an adult body. As the series has gone on, whenever he has appeared, you are getting yourself ready to see HIM pulled out.
While the biggest downpoint for Goosebumps is the absolute jam of an intro, the original series had to be completely absent. The new theme is a typical horror dread affair that sets a good tone but is otherwise forgettable. The licensed music that usually kicks off and ends every episode, though, is expertly chosen and fits each theme, respectively, while giving a nice summation of the tale just told.
Overall, Goosebumps is a good reimagining of the series from the nineties. With a great cast, more mature renditions of classic tales, and its ability to weave them all together, it has me excited for where the series is headed. While it does weaken in the middle as it makes an awkward transition from a story surrounding an individual to a group story. It manages to pick itself up from the slump, and I can’t wait for you know who to show up to really put the fear in these teens.
