Horror aimed at younger audiences has been going through a bit of a lull lately, with fewer and fewer projects capturing the spooky charm that once defined the genre. However, one series has been successfully carrying the torch: the 2023 Goosebumps reboot. Rob Letterman, who directed the 2015 Goosebumps movie, also helmed this new TV series, and after watching its first season, I was genuinely impressed by how much fun it was. Blending Goosebumps’ trademark eerie stories with a serialized plot, the show brings a fresh take while still capturing the spirit of the original.
Goosebumps: The Vanishing makes a few shifts in terms of setting, characters, and source material, but the core of the show remains the same. The story kicks off with a tragedy from the past—a group of teens who mysteriously vanished 30 years ago after a dare to spend the night at a haunted fort. In 2024, we meet twins Devin (Sam McCarthy) and Cece (Jayden Bartels), who are spending the summer with their father Anthony (David Schwimmer). Anthony’s older brother was one of the missing teens, and the twins quickly discover that their seemingly boring Brooklyn neighborhood of Gravesend is full of secrets and dangers they never could have imagined. While the series draws inspiration from Goosebumps stories, it updates them in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
The creature effects, while clearly limited by a TV budget, are surprisingly solid, and there’s a good balance between spooky moments and humor. Even the more outlandish monsters manage to come across as menacing. Each episode generally focuses on one of the main characters, putting them in a creepy situation while slowly unraveling the larger mystery behind the disappearances. While the kids mostly serve as archetypes to push the story forward, the show doesn’t spend too much time on deep character development. Their personal issues tend to get dropped by the end of their episode, which is a bit of a missed opportunity for emotional depth.
What really stands out in The Vanishing, though, is David Schwimmer’s portrayal of Anthony. His character becomes the emotional core of the series, and Schwimmer delivers a performance that is both compelling and captivating. As Anthony wrestles with the trauma of losing his brother and his growing obsession with safety, Schwimmer brings a perfect mix of seriousness and quirky humor. His over-the-top enthusiasm for plants and his escalating panic as he realizes history is repeating itself is a real highlight. I wasn’t expecting to be so drawn to his character, but Schwimmer absolutely makes him one of the most interesting parts of the show. His performance is just such a joy to watch, and it gives the show a heart that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a series aimed at younger audiences.
The tension in each episode builds nicely, and the show does a great job of balancing classic Goosebumps elements with the ongoing mystery, but the final moments often fall flat. The cliffhangers don’t always land as effectively as the rest of the episode, which is a little disappointing. I kept finding myself fully invested in the build-up, only for the ending to feel like a bit of a letdown. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment, but it did leave me hoping for a stronger finish each time.
Overall, Goosebumps: The Vanishing is a fun and engaging continuation of the series, with a season-long arc that offers a fresh take. The show delivers a good mix of spooky thrills, humor, and mystery, and it’s clear that Goosebumps still has plenty of life left in it after all these years. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this reboot, but I ended up having a blast watching it. It hit all the right notes for nostalgia while still feeling like something new. It reminded me of why I loved Goosebumps as a kid—those scary, funny, and totally wild moments that stick with you. After watching this season, I’m genuinely excited to see where the series goes next.
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