Netflix’s 'Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina' Gets Darker, More Focused In 'Part 2' [Review]

After finding success with the ridiculous Jughead who f*cksRiverdale” high school series, Netflix, likely thirsty from seeing the success metrics of the CW show acquired for their streaming platform, quickly jumped into the young adult TV world with the “Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina” spin-off. Based on the Sabrina The Teenage Witch comic and character made popular through the Archie Comics—which itself was adapted into the horny “Riverdale”— the similarities fortunately mostly end there. Though both shows, while drastically different, do speak on ideas of discovering who you are in the world.

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Far more chaste and cute, comparatively, the world of “Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina” is the supernatural and the show cast its spell on audiences last fall conjuring a witches brew of the occult mixed in with an innate sense of humanity. And the magic is still working in ‘Part 2.’

The first part introduced the central dilemma of identity for the character Sabrina Spellman (a resilient Kiernan Shipka): as her sixteenth birthday approached, Sabrina had to choose between signing herself over a world of dark arts and witchcraft, or remain with her mortal friends in Greendale. The duality of her nature and this struggle marked much of the first batch of episodes. Now, having forsaken her human friends— if only to protect them from her complicated world— and her decision seemingly made, Sabrina signed herself over to the dark lord and dedicated herself to her witch school. But just as the young witch seems confident and comfortable in her own skin, she faces a new challenge by those in The Academy of Unseen Arts who would rather silence her than listen to her voice of reason.

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In this new selection of episodes, the magical and menacing world of Greendale is revisited, picking up a few weeks after the holiday special left off. In the first five episodes of ‘Part 2,’ Sabrina engages with more determined focus while supporting characters receive the bolstering storylines to carry them through this dark, enchanting installment.

It’s in the first episode where the ominous tone of the season is set; Sabrina and her new love interest, the aptly named Nicholas Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood), are each nominated for the role of Top Boy – think class president but mix in some satanic worship and dark magic. Throughout the season, Sabrina takes on Father Blackwood (Richard Coyle), the Dean of the Academy of Unseen Arts, and, more broadly, the patriarchal structure of her school and the witching world at large, challenging tradition and thus, provoking the dark lord.

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Not as much hell breaks loose in ‘Part 2,’ but this actually serves the story far more than pleasures of pandemonium. The latest installment and episodes feel more focused in the narratives playing out rather than a rehashing of witchcraft lore. The commentary, if at times on the nose, is more deliberate and structured; a consistent through-line to follow. And everyone in the cast feels settled into their respective characters — most of all, Shipka, who shines as she comes into her own. The young actress has a real command of the screen and casts a bewitching hex that is equal parts charming and ferocious. Instead of straddling her two worlds, as she’s done in the past, Sabrina takes on a more resolute stance in the supernatural one, and Shipka explores the intimate and stoic qualities of the teenage witch with attention-grabbing verve.

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While the world of Greendale and the Academy of Unseen Arts receives only minor exploration, the inhabitants of both settings feel more fleshed out than their comic book counterparts. Standouts Miranda Otto and Michelle Gomez provide some delicious moments while also aptly portraying the more vulnerable side of their characters as Coyle and Chance Perdomo carry the darker side of the series with true intimidation.

What suffers are the subplots of Sabrina’s mortal friends, as most of them feel rushed or thin. Lachlan Watson continues to earn some beautiful moments in the show, but Jaz Sinclair’s Rosalind (Ros) plays to a narrative that is again, fairly hurried. And Sabrina’s ex-boyfriend Harvey (Ross Lynch) doesn’t have much, if anything, to work with. The act of balancing the main focus giving the talented ensemble enough airtime feels strained in the latest batch of episodes.

Darker in its storytelling, visuals, and theme ‘Part 2’ of “Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina” does forsake lesser characters, but the choice allows for a clear focus that ‘Part 1’ seemed to lack. The challenge of overcoming the misogynistic and patriarchal structures take center stage, and the dark arts are given a much-needed critique. Building on the spooky, magical foundation that set the stage, ‘Sabrina’ adds layers of darkness and elements of horror to great effect beyond the superficial. The show features several clever and entertaining horror nods (Shirley Jackson, Mia Farrow in “Rosemary’s Baby”) and fans will appreciate these extra Easter Egg dimensions. Even if fan favorites are left by the wayside, “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” crafts some wonderful bewitchments in ‘Part 2,’ retains its charismatic magic and explores deeper into the darker side of Greendale’s favorite teenage witch. [B+]