Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina Premiere Review: Much More Hard Core Than It's Predecessors... And I Like It

"The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina" has dropped on NetFlix. The character is a spinoff of the Archie Comics series (see also CW's "Riverdale"). If you're thinking this is just a remake of the 1990s G rated "Sabrina The Teenage Witch" (starring Melissa Joan Hart), you would be wrong. This version of Sabrina is much darker and spookier.

When we first meet Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) she is living the life of a normal teen (except maybe for the fact that she lives in a mortuary). Sabrina's Aunties Hilda (Lucy Davis) and Zelda (Miranda Otto) say her 16th birthday is quickly approaching. It's time for her "Dark Baptism". She must sign her name in the Book Of The Beast and pledge her allegiance to "our Dark Lord". Basically she's selling her soul to the Devil. He, in exchange, will give her special powers and slow down the aging process.

The Aunties say its just something everyone in their family does. Sure the group worships Satan and sacrifices a few people but just overlook that. But Sabrina is half witch (her mother is human). She wants to play by her own rules. Plus my guess is someone in the coven was responsible for the mysterious death of her parents.

Sabrina has a boyfriend Harvey (Ross Lynch). How will he handle Sabrina confessing she's a witch? Her other human friends are Rosalind and Susie.

And let's not forget the adults. Yes, that is Bronson Pinchot from "Prefect Strangers' as Principal Hawthorne of Greendale's Baxter High. The always delightful Michelle Gomez ("Dr Who" and lots of other stuff) is teacher Mary Wardwell (AKA Madam Satan). Keep an eye on her.

Sabrina eventually heads to the Academy Of Unseen Arts on the weekends. Father Blackwood (Richard Coyle) is dean there. He also moonlights as High Priest of the Church Of Night. There a group of witches called The Weird Sisters (Agatha, Dorcus, and Prudence) who try to bully Sabrina. They dont like she's half human. The girls are a great addition. I get a very "The Craft" vibe from them.

Cousin Ambrose (Chance Perdomo) also lives with the Spellman ladies. He's under house arrest (apparently for all eternity) but manages to still get into trouble. He's also much older than his sculptured bod would have you believe. And let's not forget Salem the cat. I was hoping he would talk. Alas, he is just a cat...not that there's anything wrong with that.

And that's it for the main characters thus far. I'm sure we'll meet more along the way.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). I didnt think "Sabrina" would be for me since it targets younger views. The show is much hard core than I expected. I'm surprised at all the Satan references. For a TV focused at younger viewers they dont shy away from the horror. In fact, the Church Of Satan is suing them due to their use of a likeness of their statue Baphomet. Seriously? That makes me laugh. Here is the statue in question.

The acting is on point. The set designs are top notch. The special effects are good. The show likes to blur the borders of shots in order to increase the spookiness factor. No, that is not your eyes. The time period of "Sabrina" is not clear but it has a 1960's asthetic that makes it stand out. All of this works to keep me coming back for more of "CAOS".

NetFlix must be pleased with viewership numbers. A second season has already been ordered. Praise the Dark Lord! Errr, I mean...Yeah!