Nostalgia has a peculiar way of resurrecting the spirits of beloved classics from the past, and it’s doing so once again with the revival of the iconic ’90s series, Goosebumps. The chilling tales of R.L. Stine are set to terrify a new generation. All you ‘OG’ Goosebumps aficionados and newly budding fans are in for a treat. With the ink freshly drying on these eerie scriptpages, let’s explore the exciting return of this spine-tingling franchise.
Updating The Classics For A Modern Audience:
While nostalgia is a driving force behind the Goosebumps revival, the show is not simply retreading old ground. The new series is embracing contemporary storytelling techniques and technology to deliver fresh thrills while maintaining the signature elements that made the original so popular. So the “camp” we love is there but in a way that appeals to a young adult audience. Elements of those goofy 10-year-old kid fears are present, but they’re no longer the main threat – they’re more of an obstacle. There is an ongoing storyline, a core mystery, and a central antagonist.
The official synopsis: “A group of five high schoolers embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle — while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.”
The cast includes, Rachael Harris, Justin Long, Will Price, Ana Yi Puig, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna and Zack Morris. No, not Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell. Though, clearly, his parents were fans (as were we all).
Is Goosebumps 2023 Kid Friendly? No. Absolutely Not Little Kid Friendly.
It’s rated TVPG (For parental guidance) but that is not just for scary content like many parents may assume. There are adult themes including extramarital affairs and sexual innuendos (not subtle ones either). The main characters are teenagers – they actively date. They make references to “making-out” and sexuality. The storyline and content is clearly not aimed at young children. It’s definitely for an older, middle-grade teen and high-school audience. Parents use your own judgment. It doesn’t have that same “10-year old kid appeal” as the original Goosebumps series. They wouldn’t be as interested and it wouldn’t be appropriate for them. Original fans can still expect to see modern horror tropes blended with the classic stories they know and love from childhood.
Classic Villains Return:
Slappy the Dummy, the Haunted Mask, and other fan-favorite monsters are all set to return. The revival series is taking great care to ensure that these iconic villains are faithfully adapted for a modern audience, paying homage to the original while adding a contemporary twist that will keep viewers guessing.
The Legacy of ‘Goosebumps’ Rekindled:
The books and original “Goosebumps” series hold a special place in the hearts of those who grew up with them. The Goosebumps Universe was a rite of passage into the horror genre, and the revival aims to reignite that spark. It not only offers a trip down memory lane for fans of the original but also introduces new generations to the rest of the Goosebumps.
Halloween Tradition Revived (With A Friday The 13th Bonus):
With Halloween just around the corner and launch night falling on a Friday the 13th, the timing of the “Goosebumps” revival is impeccable. The show is expected to be a staple in sleepovers and Halloween parties. As teens and tweens gather to revel in the supernatural suspense at spooky-season gatherings.
Episodes 1 – 6 Have Been Released So Far.
S1 E1 Say Cheese and Die: Harold Biddle brings us into Port Laurence, 1993. Then, it’s into the present with star quarterback, Isaiah. He helps his girlfriend throw a Halloween party at the (still vacant) Biddle House. He finds an old camera in the basement that has a disturbing interpretation of its subjects. The more the camera gets used, the more dangerous things get.
S1 E2 · The Haunted Mask: Although she doesn’t have many friends, Isabella went to the Halloween party at the Biddle House anyway. When she puts it on a mask she finds in basement, she feels confidence surge through her. However, the mask grows bolder too, then it decides it wants to take over.
S1 E3 · The Cuckoo Clock of Doom: During the Halloween party, James ends up stuck in a time loop. James wants so badly to be liked, he says what he thinks others want to hear, instead of just being himself. Even when he breaks out of the time loop, his inauthenticity has its own nightmarish consequences.
S1 E4 · Go Eat Worms: Aspiring daredevil Lucas takes home worms from the Biddle House. He soon discovers they aren’t just ordinary worms. In fact, they have a few stunts of their own.
Episode 5, Reader Beware, in which Margot flips through a scrapbook and takes a literal slip through time – back to 1993. While in a trance-state, her friends have to “Weekend at Bernies” her out of the school and back to ground zero – the Biddle House.
In the latest episode, Night of the Living Dummy (S1. E6), the kids have a sit down with Mr. Bratt. He tells them all about Harold Biddle and his house. Now they are closer than ever to solving the truth about the hauntings in Port Lawrence.
When does the The next episode of Goosebumps air?
If you’re wondering when the next episode of Goosebumps will air, it’s 2 days away. Season 1 episode 7, Give Yourself Goosebumps will air on Friday, Oct 27, 2023. The rest of the schedule is as follows:
- S1.E8 ∙ You Can’t Scare Me Fri, Nov 3, 2023
- S1.E9 ∙ Night of the Living Dummy Part 2 Fri, Nov 10, 2023
- S1.E10 ∙ Welcome to Horrorland Fri, Nov 17, 2023
The revival of “Goosebumps” is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted horror tales and the nostalgia that binds generations. As the show returns to haunt our screens, we can all look forward to a new generation of shivers, screams, and delightfully dark nightmares.
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