The animated family film The Addams Family 2 once again brings the creepy and kooky titular family to life on the big screen. The iconic characters have been icons of the screen for decades and this latest film reinvents some of them while adding to the existing mythos of the others.
The movie pays special attention to the character of Wednesday Addams, giving her an emotional character arc about fitting in that shapes the entire film. However, the colorful side characters also get their moments to shine from Pugsley being thrown around by a voodoo doll and Lurch performing a song and dance number to Uncle Fester turning into an octopus. Despite their intimidating appearance, each member of the Addams Family is likable in uniquely different ways.
Cyrus Strange
Posing as Wednesday's biological father, Cyrus Strange is a brilliant and manipulative scientist who is willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on Wednesday's formula that allows for DNA modification.
Cyrus reveals himself to be a lying evil scientist who would use this technology for nefarious purposes. He experiments on children, tries to rip Wednesday away from her family, and attempts to forcibly modify the Addams family's DNA against their will, making him the least likable main character in the film.
Pugsley Addams
While the other Addams family members are dealing with the question of Wednesday's parentage, Pugsley spends most of the movie just enjoying the road trip. He gets into antics such as falling over the edge at Niagra Falls and blowing up explosives at the Grand Canyon.
Pugsley does not get the character development that the other members of the family do, but he does provide some background entertainment. He also functions as the recipient of some of the darkest things that Wednesday does in the movie as she smothers him with a pillow or controls him with a voodoo doll.
Cousin Itt
While Cousin Itt does not accompany the Addams family on their road trip, he does pop up a couple of times for a few memorable scenes as he parties on the beach and performs a concert, singing in Snoop Dogg's voice, at the end of the film.
Despite not speaking in a discernable dialect, he does have a sweet heart-to-heart with Wednesday in which he convinces her to be true to herself by revealing that he dealt with the same emotions and even once shaved his whole body. He is an entertaining enough side character who has a couple of nice moments.
Lurch
Although the family butler, Lurch, is a mostly silent, uninvolved side character, the movie does give him a few moments to shine that show his personality. A miscommunication leads to Lurch showing off his impressive singing voice in a cover of "I Will Survive."
Lurch also gets to rough up Cyrus a bit in the third act, demonstrating his physical strength. The film may not be the best Addams Family movie, but it does do a good job of giving Lurch his fair share of memorable scenes.
Morticia Addams
As Morticia grapples with the possibility that Wednesday may not be her biological daughter, she continues to make it clear that she will love and accept her no matter what. Despite her dark aesthetic, Morticia proves herself to be a great mother and loving wife.
As is the case with most Addams Family movies, Morticia and Gomez's sweet moments and passionate relationship are arguably the best elements in the film. She is the rock of the family with her steady demeanor and unflappable personality.
Gomez Addams
Out of all the members of the Addams family, Gomez has the biggest and most expressive personality. He is passionate and dramatic, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. He spends much of the film stressed out as he tries to keep Wednesday away from Cyrus and his lawyer.
Oscar Isaac proves to be a perfect casting choice as The Addams Family's patriarch Gomez as he imbues the character with warmth and likability. He is doing the best that he can to hold his family together and manages to be relatable despite all his odd eccentricities.
Wednesday Addams
In many ways, The Addams Family 2 is Wednesday's movie as the film's story revolves around her journey of self-discovery. Throughout the movie, Wednesday grapples with issues of identity and is forced to decide who she is and where she fits in.
In some depictions of the character, Wednesday can be removed and emotionless, but this version of the character is more relatable and sympathetic while still retaining that signature deadpan delivery. Her struggle with feeling like she does not belong is a universal one that allows audiences to connect with her.
Uncle Fester
Uncle Fester is a fun and zany side character who mostly operates as the comic relief of the film. Even among the Addams family, he stands out as the oddest and quirkiest member. In the movie, he is dealing with the after-effects of having his DNA improved with Socrates the octopus.
This leads to the funniest running joke in the movie as Uncle Fester finds himself having octopus-like features and impulses, including growing tentacles. While Uncle Fester is not the deepest or most compelling character, he is funny and entertaining, making him the most likable character in the movie.