Written By Tom Moore
Growing up, there were two live-action shows could keep kids up at night and even be a Halloween tradition – Goosebumps and Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? While Goosebumps will always have heart because of my love for the R.L. Stine books the episodes were based off of, I’ve always had a deep respected for the bone-chilling tales of the Midnight Society. The original series, created in 1990 by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel, was an anthology series where a group of kids would sit around a campfire and share a slew of ghost stories. With its simple premise, the series scared viewers through creepy characters and oddly mature imagery for an impressive ten-year run and Nickelodeon is looking to bring fans back around the campfire with a new revival of the series.
Ironically, though, the scariest thing the series faced with its revival was development hell as it went through a lot of changes as it was being brought back. The Midnight Society was actually supposed to have their return be on big screen for a feature film adaptation, only for it to get scrapped for a limited series on Nickelodeon. Personally, I think it was the smarter choice as the revival is actually really strong and evokes a lot of the similar tones and scares the series is known for while offering something new for a new generation of Midnight Society fans.
This revival actually opens with a similar premise to first episode of the original series – a new member of the Midnight Society is welcomed into the group after she tells a scary story. However, this series wants to take things a little further by having this new member’s story come to life. The premiere doesn’t touch on this expanded much as it mostly services as an introduction to the characters, their love of horror, and the story that new girl, Rachel (Lyliana Wray), tells that will start to become real. Admittedly, while I think this is an interesting way to bring the series back, the whole new girl arrives, and things go wrong plot is such a horror cliché at this point. Not to mention, the whole story becomes really plot has already been done in both Goosebumps movies.
But, where the Are You Afraid of the Dark? revival has won me over so far is in how it creates scary moments and imagery, has really fun performances, and delves into the Midnight Society’s love of horror. The opening still has the creepy sounds and dark imagery mixed the season’s Circus of Doom theme, even if it’s not as creepy as the original, and the episode as a whole gives young viewers some more adult scares. The best thing that a show like this can do is give younger viewers moments of horror that make them feel as if they’re watching something that just out of their age range and this revival does that very well. From eyeless clowns to someone’s hefty appetite for scorpions, it’s actually pretty impressive to see how the show is still trying to push some boundaries for what kids can handle. Even the season’s central villain, Mr. Tophat (Rafael Casal), offers some fun scares and Casal gives an incredibly fun performance. Even everything within the Circus of Doom strikes the dark tone the series is known for and is a great place for the series to return to.
A new start to the series also comes with a new kind of Midnight Society for Rachel to join – and they’re a lot of fun. There are certain aspects of the group that still remain that’s great to see. While they might not be from different schools, they are still from different friend groups, the group is still pretty diverse, and this iteration of the show actually explores the group’s love of horror and ritualistic initiation much deeper. Seeing Rachel having to answer letters scattered around the school peeled back the curtain on the group without ruining their mystery and actually getting to know them outside of the campfire was really great.
Rather than just have each of the members remain a mystery, this new iteration actually delves into their love of the horror genre. With Graham (Jeremy Ray Taylor) wearing his watch horror movies shirt proudly and Akiko (Miya Cech) directing her own zombie flick and already having plans for a werewolf movie because, and I agree, they’re underrated, there’s a lot of love for the genre that could easily translate for younger viewers. There’s even a nice speech made by Gavin (Sam Ashe Arnold) as to why he loves the genre and it’s a really honest, human moment that I didn’t expect the show to bring. Also, it’s nice to see the group, as well as the show, have some nice references to more adult horror films and creators.
From Graham and Akiko approving of Rachel’s love for Changeling and Rachel’s love for the works of H.P. Lovecraft, it’s nice to have characters be treated more maturely and their mature tastes be show. Not to mention, the second I heard the series’ town name, Argento, I immediately smiled as it’s clearly a nod to the Suspiria director. I’m still interested to see the Midnight Society get used more in the show, especially as the genre they love becomes their reality, but this is great start and it’s nice to see the series expand on the ideas that made the original great.
Nickelodeon has channeled something pretty rare with its reboot of Are You Afraid of the Dark? – a reboot that channels the special ingredients that made its original so special but expanding on it to offer something new for a new generation of viewers. While it still remains to be seen if this uncharted territory can have the same magic as its premiere, this reboot is definitely off on the right foot. Just like its original did almost 30 years ago, Are You Afraid of the Dark? could be a strong introduction to the horror genre and Nickelodeon could have their own kid version of American Horror Story on its hands if they decide to continue the show in the future.
