Unlock the Thrilling Secrets of Goosebumps Season 1: RL Stine's Timeless Spooky Tales Evoke a New Sense of Adventure

Summary

Disney+ and Hulu's Goosebumps adaptation still manages to bring excitement to Stine's classic novels, reimagining them in an intriguing, spooky way.

The initial five episodes of Goosebumps center around teenagers who encounter Biddle's pranks, with each tale presenting a unique spin on the original narratives. The series successfully maintains a blend of lightheartedness and eerie elements, delivering authentic scares while staying true to Stine's original vision. As a result, it becomes a fantastic choice for Halloween viewing.

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, this piece was written when the labor of the striking actors was crucial for the existence of the show being discussed.

R.L. Stine's popular Goosebumps books, known for their spooky nature, have always been a Halloween tradition. They have not only spawned a sprawling media franchise but have also managed to captivate audiences who typically avoid horror. With a television show and two movies already under its belt, one might think that finding a fresh approach for a new adaptation would be challenging. However, Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller's Goosebumps on Disney+ and Hulu prove that there is still an abundance of excitement to be found. The creators have reimagined several of Stine's iconic novels, building an intriguing mystery that keeps viewers engaged.

In the mysterious town of Port Lawrence, Halloween marks the beginning of an unusual time for a group of teenagers. Leading the way is star quarterback Isaiah (Zack Morris), who throws a party at the infamous Biddle house. This old, creaky building holds a dark past as thirty years ago, teenager Harold Biddle (Ben Cockell) met his untimely end under mysterious circumstances. Little did anyone know, Harold had a collection of otherworldly items, some of which end up in the hands of partygoers during the thrilling Halloween bash. Isaiah gets his hands on a camera that unveils unsettling futures, while Isabella (Ana Yi Puig), an often overlooked member of the AV club, puts on a mask that takes on a life of its own. As the teenagers gradually face the supernatural horrors unfolding around them, and uncover the deep connections to their own parents, they soon realize that everything leads back to one thing: the vengeful spirit of Harold Biddle.

Ana Yi Puig in Goosebumps.

Goosebumps' first season consists of 10 episodes, with the first five being reviewed here. Each of these initial episodes focuses on one of the main teenagers and their initial encounters with Biddle's tricks. Alongside Isaiah and Isabella, the group includes outgoing James, aspiring daredevil Lucas, and brainiac Margot. These individual stories are adapted from Stine's original Goosebumps stories, with some unique twists. Among them, James' adventure presents a captivating twist on a time loop story, while Isabella's mask mishap takes a truly monstrous turn. Despite being a Disney+ production, Goosebumps isn't afraid to venture into genuinely scary moments. It is not a sanitized, Disney-fied take on Stine's work, but instead strikes a balance between playfulness and spookiness, making it an ideal Halloween watch.

The ensemble cast of Goosebumps is impressive, portraying intriguing characters, and there is a personal mystery at the heart of the haunted tales. As the season unfolds, it becomes clear that the main characters' parents possess more knowledge about Biddle than they initially reveal, although answers to this mystery are slow in coming. Recognizing this, Disney+ and Hulu wisely released the first five episodes together. While these standalone adventures are entertaining and add depth to the characters we should care about, they don't always drive the overarching conflict forward. The real answers concerning Biddle's secrets don't emerge until the fifth episode. Fortunately, these revelations set up an intriguing second half of the season. Justin Long, who has been exploring the horror genre more prominently, contributes to the mystery as Mr. Bratt, a new teacher who moves into the Biddle house and becomes ensnared in supernatural forces. Long delivers a perfectly creepy performance, particularly in a scene with Lucas' mom Nora, who plays a significant role due to her knowledge of Harold Biddle's past.

Zack Morris in Goosebumps

The teenagers astutely deduce that their unsettling new predicaments are somehow connected to Biddle, and their rapid conclusions may raise some eyebrows. However, it is easy to overlook this aspect as Goosebumps skillfully intertwines personal, character-defining moments into each hair-raising escapade. For instance, Lucas's unsettling encounter with worms leads to a poignant exchange with his mother about the loss of his father, while James's time loop nightmare exposes some fractures in his close friendship with Isaiah. Although not all the characters receive equal exploration by the end of episode 5, the group as a whole is endearing. Each of the young performers adeptly faces off against nightmarish situations and typical teenage angst, making it difficult to single out a standout performer, especially when their chemistry is so exceptional.

As Goosebumps enters the second half of its season, it remains uncertain how it will fare as it transitions from standalone stories to a more serialized plot. However, thus far, it has garnered enough favor with this critic to continue watching. With a delightful blend of amusing antics and unsettling surprises, Goosebumps has arrived at an opportune moment and showcases the lasting power of Stine's stories for a new generation. Season 1 of Goosebumps comprises 10 episodes, with the first five premiering on Friday, October 13 on Disney+ and Hulu, and the remaining episodes releasing weekly.