Season 1
20 episodes Oct 26, 2018 7.5
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
“Happy birthday, witch.”
2018–2020
Ended • 2 Seasons • 36 Episodes
Overview
Magic and mischief collide as half-human, half-witch Sabrina navigates between two worlds: mortal teen life and her family's legacy, the Church of Night.
Seasons
2 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 2 seasons
- Episodes
- 36 episodes
- First aired
- Oct 26, 2018
- Last aired
- Dec 31, 2020
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S2 E16 Chapter Thirty-Six: At the Mountains of Madness (Dec 31, 2020)
Season 2
16 episodes Jan 24, 2020 6.8
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Devil’s in the Details: How Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Turned Teen Angst into Occult Opera
I’ll admit it: when I first heard Netflix was rebooting Sabrina the Teenage Witch, I groaned. The ’90s sitcom was a relic of my childhood—laugh tracks, talking cats, and dragging it into the era of peak TV horror felt like a cash grab. But then I watched the first episode of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and within minutes, I was hooked.
Not by nostalgia. By something far more dangerous. This wasn’t a reboot.
It was a possession.
The show’s opening sequence alone should’ve been a warning. A slow tracking shot through the Spellman mortuary, the camera lingering on jars of eyeballs and flickering candles, while a voiceover intones, "We are the weird." It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. The tone is set: this is a story about power, desire, and the cost of both, wrapped in the aesthetics of a gothic nightmare.
For two seasons, it delivers on that promise with reckless abandon.
What makes Sabrina work—or at least what made me keep watching, is its willingness to embrace contradictions. It’s a teen drama and a horror show, a feminist manifesto and a male gaze nightmare, a celebration of witchcraft and a cautionary tale about its dangers. The central conflict isn’t Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) vs. the Dark Lord; it’s Sabrina vs. herself, torn between her mortal life in Baxter High and her destiny as a witch.
That duality is baked into the show’s DNA, from its split-screen title cards to its shifting tone. One minute, Sabrina’s trading barbs with her aunts Zelda (Miranda Otto) and Hilda (Lucy Davis) in a kitchen that feels like it’s been lifted from a Tim Burton film; the next, she’s in a high school hallway, working through the petty cruelties of teenage life. The show never lets you forget that these two worlds are colliding, and that Sabrina is the fault line.
Shipka is the reason this balancing act doesn’t collapse. She’s got the kind of face that can shift from defiant to vulnerable in a single close-up, and she uses it well. Watch the way her eyes narrow when she’s angry, or how her voice drops into a lower register when she’s channeling her darker impulses.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.3/10
"A divisive supernatural teen drama with strong visuals and a compelling cast, but uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies left many viewers frustrated by unfulfilled potential."
Viewers of *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* (2018) praised its dark, gothic aesthetic and the performances of its ensemble cast, particularly Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman. The series was lauded for its bold visual style, which drew comparisons to classic horror and fantasy genres, and for its attempt to blend teen drama with occult themes. However, audience reception was mixed, with many criticizing the show for losing focus in later episodes. Some felt the narrative meandered, sacrificing character development and plot cohesion for shock value or filler content. The tone was described as inconsistent, oscillating between campy humor and darker, more serious themes without always finding a satisfying balance. Despite these flaws, the series maintained a dedicated fanbase, particularly among viewers who appreciated its feminist undertones and subversive take on traditional horror tropes. The rating of 6.latestnetflix.com's read is that 3/10 reflects this split opinion, with some calling it a guilty pleasure and others dismissing it as a missed opportunity.
What viewers praise
- Strong visual and gothic aesthetic The series was widely praised for its dark, stylish visuals, which effectively evoked classic horror and fantasy genres. Viewers appreciated the atmospheric cinematography and production design, which set it apart from typical teen dramas.
- Compelling cast performances Kiernan Shipka’s portrayal of Sabrina Spellman received particular acclaim, with many noting her ability to balance the character’s rebellious spirit and vulnerability. The supporting cast, including Michelle Gomez as Madame Satan and Lucy Davis as Hilda Spellman, also garnered positive attention for their performances.
- Subversive and feminist themes The show’s exploration of feminist and anti-patriarchal themes resonated with many viewers, who appreciated its attempt to challenge traditional horror and teen drama tropes. The portrayal of Sabrina as a strong-willed protagonist navigating both the mortal and supernatural worlds was a highlight for some.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing and narrative focus Many viewers criticized the series for its meandering plotlines, particularly in later episodes. Some felt the show struggled to maintain a coherent narrative, often prioritizing shock value or filler content over meaningful character or story development.
- Inconsistent tone The series’ tonal shifts—swinging between campy humor and darker, more serious themes, were a point of contention. Some viewers found the balance jarring, while others felt it undermined the show’s potential to deliver a more cohesive and immersive experience.
- Underdeveloped side characters and arcs While the main cast received praise, several side characters and subplots were criticized for feeling underdeveloped or rushed. Some viewers expressed frustration that promising storylines were abandoned or resolved unsatisfactorily.
Recommended for
Fans of gothic horror and dark fantasy Viewers who enjoy teen dramas with supernatural elements Audiences interested in feminist reinterpretations of classic horror tropes Those who appreciate stylish visuals and atmospheric storytelling
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Dark Magic Behind Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: What Fans Never Knew
Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018) flipped the script on the wholesome ’90s sitcom, trading laugh tracks for blood rituals and teen angst for apocalyptic stakes. But behind the gothic glamour, the show’s production was just as dramatic as its on-screen coven. latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what the evidence reveals about the series that turned Sabrina Spellman into a horror icon.
Kiernan Shipka: The Teen Who Carried a Witch’s Burden
Kiernan Shipka wasn’t just the lead—she was the anchor of a show that demanded everything from its cast. While Mad Men’s Sally Draper made her a household name, Sabrina thrust her into a darker role, one that required physical endurance and emotional range. The series emphasized horror and witchcraft 
, and Shipka’s portrayal of Sabrina—a half-witch navigating mortal and supernatural worlds—earned her both praise and pressure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3ZJoM0TaYk
In a playful but telling video, Shipka took a quiz to find out which Sabrina character she really was . The result? A mix of Sabrina’s rebellious spirit and Rosalind’s cunning—proof that even the actress couldn’t escape the show’s grip. Off-screen, she reportedly leaned into the role’s intensity, though details about her preparation remain scarce. What’s clear: Shipka wasn’t just playing a witch; she was embodying a cultural shift in how audiences viewed Sabrina Spellman.
From Comics to Screen: A Risky Reinvention
The show’s roots in Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comics (2014–) were a double-edged sword. The source material, a gritty horror reimagining of the Archie Comics character, was already a departure from the lighthearted Sabrina the Teenage Witch . The Netflix series doubled down on that tone, blending adventure, drama, and horror into a 60-minute package .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHu7m8kb-tg
But not everyone was sold. The series holds a modest 6.3/10 rating on SensCritique, with over 6,600 votes . Critics and fans debated whether the show’s darker take worked—or if it strayed too far from Sabrina’s legacy. A YouTube deep dive argues that Chilling Adventures was the "Sabrina for today," tapping into Gen Z’s appetite for morally complex, visually striking horror . Still, the mixed reception suggests the gamble didn’t pay off universally.
The Cast’s Reaction: Nostalgia Meets Shock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9ZADzr5fZs
For the original Sabrina the Teenage Witch cast, watching the Netflix reboot was a trip. In a Netflix video, Melissa Joan Hart (the ’90s Sabrina) and her co-stars reacted to Chilling Adventures, and their faces told the story: equal parts awe and disbelief . The tone shift—from campy sitcom to occult horror—was jarring, even for those who lived the character’s legacy.
Meanwhile, the new cast embraced the darkness. Ross Lynch’s Harvey Kinkle was no longer the sweet jock but a tragic figure caught in Sabrina’s world. Lucy Davis’s Aunt Hilda and Miranda Otto’s Zelda brought gravitas to the Spellman household, while Michelle Gomez’s Madam Satan stole scenes as the show’s villainous wildcard. The chemistry was undeniable, but whether it justified the show’s polarizing choices remains up for debate.
The Unanswered Questions
Despite its cult following, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina left key mysteries unsolved. Why was the fourth part (released as Part 4 in late 2020) framed as a finale, only for rumors of revivals to persist? The evidence doesn’t confirm a cancellation or renewal—just a lingering sense that Sabrina’s story wasn’t finished .
There’s also the matter of the comics’ influence. While the show borrowed heavily from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Volume 1: The Crucible (rated 7.7/10 on SensCritique ), it diverged in later seasons. Was this creative freedom or a sign of wavering vision? The lack of behind-the-scenes accounts leaves fans speculating.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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