TikTok users are loving Wednesday Addams' dance moves. All episodes are out for the dark academia, Addams Family spin-off series Wednesday, co-created by Tim Burton, that stars Jenna Ortega as the titular, deadpan, firstborn child of Gomez and Morticia Addams, played by Luis Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones respectively. At the time of this writing, it has a 70 percent rating from critics and an 88 percent from the general audience, indicating critics and audiences alike have taken to enjoying the gothic series.
In particular, fans have been sharing their love for a particular dance routine in Jenna Ortega's Wednesday, via viral TikTok videos and imitations of the dance. Some fans have even pointed out the real-life moves that inspired the choreography, which was done by Ortega herself, and defending it against those who've been calling it odd. See some of the posts below:
Wednesday's Viral Dancing Moment Explained
In Wednesday episode 4, "Woe What a Night," Nevermore Academy hosts a dance named after American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe's most famous piece of work: The Rave'N. It's at this dance where Wednesday's forced to show off dance moves that perfectly befit the beloved character. As fans noticed, and as Ortega pointed out herself in a tweet, the routine was inspired by the likes of Siouxsie Sioux, Bob Fosse’s Rich Man’s Frug, Lisa Loring, Lene Lovich, Denis Lavant, and archival footage of goths dancing in clubs in the '80s.
Why Wednesday's Dancing Is Being Embraced By Fans
Viewers have also spotted a move that was essentially an homage to John Astin's Gomez; and as Ortega said herself, Lisa Loring's Wednesday served as inspiration as well. These homages weren't missed by Addams Family fans, as they seem to admire the decision to tribute the two actors in her dance routine. Ortega's deadpan and cold-stone delivery is really what sells the routine, as the oddball, outcast spirit that Wednesday embodies shines brightly here as she finally lets loose and is the only character in black in a room full of white outfits. Ortega makes the awkward yet ambitious look cool with her performance throughout the series, but the dance routine sums her up in one scene.
It's heartwarming that Wednesday and its titular character are receiving love throughout social media in an age and society that's progressively accepting the socially awkward and weird. It's inspiring as well, as the reception might inspire those who normally feel misunderstood to come out of their shells and embrace themselves. The show, and character, serve as proper platforms for outcasts, so to see the commercial success of both thrive in social media is a win for the Addams Family and socially estranged. Here's hoping it can result in Netflix giving Wednesday season 2 the greenlight many are calling for.
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