The gothic, mystical, macabre, and wildly funny spin-off of Addams Family won critics’ accolades shortly after its Netflix release. Wednesday is a comedy horror telling a coming-of-age story about Wednesday Addams – a girl with psychic abilities and a stone-cold demeanor. As vivid as Burton’s style is, you might have overlooked a curious theme of the series – Wednesday, in fact, is a movie about plants that are unique (unusual). And yes, it’s more than just the Black Dahlia.
Can Netflix ‘Wednesday’ Be Considered a Movie about Plants?
Wednesday Addams is, remarkably, not a plant. In fact, none of the major characters of the series are plants. Nevertheless, plants play a prominent role in the unveiling of the mysterious murder plot in this story of deceit, shapeshifting, and trickery. So, while plants are not on the main stage, they are always lurking in the background.
Is It Worth Watching the Movie? Who Might Be Interested in It?
Wednesday is a must-see for all Tim Burton fans, but it also appeals to a fairly wide audience. It’s recommended for all of you who just can’t live without vampires, psychics, and monsters, for those who love unexpected plot twists, and generally anyone who wants to chill out after a busy workday. Plant lovers will also find curious greenies to observe in several episodes of the show.
Botany in Nevermore Academy
Wednesday Addams attends Botany classes taught by charming and friendly Marilyn Thornhill. The classes are focused on the weirdest and most mysterious greenies – carnivorous plants. Which other plants would you study in Nevermore, anyways?
Plants Starring in Wednesday Series
While Botany classes are all about the cunning and hunting abilities of carnivorous greenies, several other plants play a prominent role in the series.
Black Dahlia
Black Dahlia is the first plant mentioned in the series, and certainly the most significant one. In fact, the appearance of Black Dahlia in the episodes always hints to the eerie events happening shortly afterward. Marilyn gifts the Black Dahlia flower to Wednesday Addams in the show's first episode, which symbolizes her future deceit and murderousness. Interestingly, Tyler presents a Black Dahlia to Wednesday as well. This is a brilliant symbolism on the part of the creators since this flower commonly stands for warning, death, and betrayal.
Venus Flytrap
Venus flytrap appears in one of the first episodes. Wednesday stands near it talking to the Thing, and Bianca tries to mock Wednesday for talking to the plant saying it’s Wednesday’s only friend. Symbolically, the Flytrap could be a perfect friend for Wednesday (and any plant lover, for that matter). Venus Flytrap represents persistence, will, and courage. It’s a remarkably stoic plant that is a pleasure to have in any plant collection.
Ghost Orchid
During the first Botany class Marilyn talks about the Ghost Orchid, mentioning Dendrophylax lindenii as a carnivorous plant. A curious fact is that Marilyn made a mistake: there is another Ghost Orchid which is carnivorous, while this particular species is not. Ghost Orchid is a rare plant, the blooms of which resemble a ghost. Quite obviously, it’s a perfect plant for the eerie Wednesday Netflix series.
Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane, or Aconite, is a plant that Marilyn presents to Wednesday Addams in one of the last episodes. Wolfsbane is a well-known plant in mystery and fantasy – in Harry Potter, for example, it was the main ingredient that prevented shape-shifting from happening. Wolfsbane, similarly to Black Dahlia, is an ancient symbol of caution, treachery and danger. From Ovid and Shakespeare to Wednesday, the meaning of this plant remained unambiguous.
Nevermore Greenhouse Filming Location
Did you know that the greenhouse in the Botany classes is real? It is located in the Botanical Garden of Budapest. It was founded in 1771 and features around 7000 variations of plants nowadays. Don’t forget to visit the place when you’re in Hungary to feel the spirit of Wednesday!
List of Unusual Plants that Will Suit Wednesday
Want to get the Nevermore vibe to your house and garden? Here are some greenies with mysteriously gothic energy.
- Begonia Ferox
- Petunia Black Velvet
- Tacca Chantrieri
- Sundew
- Pitcher Plant
- Hyacinth Midnight Mystic
We are sure that these species would fit Wednesday-inspired home oasis and create some dark academy vibes.
FAQ
What Are the Most Interesting Points in a Movie?
Perhaps the most interesting points of the Wednesday Addams Netflix series are the ones related to plot twists. Plus, it’s always interesting to trace plant symbolism. It’s undoubtedly exciting to follow for plant enthusiasts!
What Is the Main Purpose of Movie?
Do all movies have a purpose? The good thing about the Wednesday Netflix series is that it represents diversity without screaming out loud about it. The fact that Wednesday is Latino is delicately expressed without making the whole show about it.
What Is the Uniqueness of the Movie?
Wednesday is unique in its aesthetics, but it also stands out from similar shows with the complexity of the plot and high-quality acting. The key role of the plants can’t be overstated as well.
