Unleashing the Thrills: A Spine-Chilling Goosebumps Review

I have reviewed episodes 1-5 of Goosebumps, the long-standing horror anthology created by author R.L. Stine. This review contains no spoilers. Goosebumps has been entertaining audiences, especially younger ones, for over two decades. In addition to the original book series, there have been various adaptations of these spooky tales for the screen. The first adaptation, a series released in 1995 featuring a young Ryan Gosling, was followed by two movie adaptations years later.

The most recent rendition of Goosebumps can be found on Disney Plus and Hulu, fittingly in the streaming era. Developed by Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman, the new series combines elements from both the original TV series and the movies, resulting in a unique blend. Unfortunately, it falls short of perfection.

In this rendition of Goosebumps, a captivating narrative intertwines various aspects of R.L. Stine's original novels. It melds them together within a plot that revolves around a group of teenagers, their parents, and an enigmatic demise that transpired in their idyllic waterfront town during the 1990s. This collection encompasses cherished tales from the series, such as The Cuckoo Clock of Doom and the perennial favorite, The Haunted Mask. Nevertheless, even when juxtaposed with the 1995 series, these narratives seem diminished in intensity.

The series primarily focuses on the younger characters, who start experiencing supernatural phenomena after attending a Halloween party at the house where teenager Harold Biddle passed away 30 years ago. Unfortunately for them, their new English teacher, Nathan Bratt (portrayed by Justin Long), has just moved into the same haunted house. Just like the teenagers, who find themselves dealing with unexplainable forces, Bratt becomes entangled in the supernatural occurrences.

Although the younger cast does their best in their respective roles, the lack of character development is the main drawback of this version of Goosebumps, especially within the first five episodes. While some characters like Isaiah, the star football player, have clearer traits and motivations, others like Margot, Isaiah's friend and neighbor, lack definition. The same can be said for Isabella, who is primarily identified as an AV kid and internet troll. James, the only gay character on the show, is given disappointingly limited material, except for his individual episode.

The adult characters fare poorly, except for Nora (portrayed by Rachel Harris), who is the only one with any depth. The remaining parents are merely present, lacking both character development and story arcs. Even the comedic powerhouse Rob Heubel is completely wasted in his role as Margot's father and the high school guidance counselor. Given the limited attention given to the adult characters, the show feels incomplete, as depicted by

The disparity between the storylines of the teenagers and adults raises the question: who is this version of Goosebumps targeted towards? The teenagers' stories lack the necessary intensity for a horror show, especially when compared to shows like Euphoria and Riverdale that younger viewers have access to. On the other hand, this version is more mature than its 90s counterpart and might be too much for very young audiences. Similarly, if the intended audience is nostalgic adults, the show fails to capture enough drama or intrigue to hold their attention. Ultimately, this iteration of Goosebumps fails to attract as much interest as previous versions.

Another issue is that the show barely acknowledges its origins with the stories in the first five episodes. While there are some classics included, such as "Say Cheese and Die" and "The Haunted Mask," the other two episodes supposedly based on books, "The Cuckoo Clock of Doom" and "Go Eat Worms," only loosely follow the narratives of their respective source materials. This might not be a problem for viewers who are unfamiliar with the original books, but for fans seeking retellings of their favorites, Goosebumps may bring disappointment.

Stylistically, there is little about this Goosebumps that would appeal to even the most curious horror fan. While there are a few sequences that show promise, such as a fiery vision during Isaiah's football game or a tense attack fueled by the evil Haunted Mask, the show mostly withholds its horror elements. Naturally, considering it is a show based on a horror series targeting children, one cannot expect the same level of brutality or horror seen in films like Hereditary. However, young audiences who seek scares could definitely handle a bit more. While the series may not be as mild as the most recent movie adaptations (as it includes brief glimpses of blood and fiery spirits), Goosebumps still feels like it could have taken a bit more initiative to establish itself as a must-watch for Halloween.

The current version of Goosebumps may not be engaging enough to keep the audience interested. The lack of a compelling story could have been improved with more spooky horror elements, but the overall look and production design fall short. The characters, regardless of age, lack the development needed to leave a lasting impression. Even devoted Goosebumps fans might find more enjoyment in revisiting the stories from the 90s. Don't miss the premiere of Goosebumps on October 13th, available on Disney Plus and Hulu.

Goosebumps (2023)

The newest iteration of Goosebumps tries to capture the nostalgia of the books, but fails to deliver interesting characters, scares, or solid stories.