When Are You Afraid of the Dark? returned to Nickelodeon in 2019, the series had some big shoes to fill. The original series from the 90s was not high art by any means, but it was a pivotal show for a generation who needed a friendly introduction to the eerie side of art. Ask anyone who grew up at that time and they can surely name at least a handful of episodes that kept them awake with fear. This scary and admittedly cheesy series had a charm entirely its own, but the reboot managed to tap into what made the original series so much fun while carving its own path. Rather than an episode-to-episode anthology approach, the three-episode first season consisted of a singular story. With this second installment, Curse Of The Shadows, audiences can now see the series is taking a season anthology approach similar to American Horror Story with a completely new Midnight Society. We just felt like we were getting to know the new crew, so having to start from the beginning again is a risky endeavor.
As with the previous entry, the terrors that lurk in this season are very much a real threat to the Midnight Society rather than a fun campfire story that the original series provided. With this being the case, it makes a certain kind of sense that the kids from The Carnival of Doom would not be cursed with yet another nightmare scenario. We wish them a very calm adolescence after what they experienced. Curse Of The Shadows wastes no time getting started from the first of its six-episode season. This time the action is set in the spooky coastal town of Shadow Bay, which almost feels like a Castle Rock for the younger teenage set. We are introduced to the new Midnight Society in rapid succession. Luke (Bryce Gheisar) wakes up to learn that his best friend Connor Stevens (Parker Queenan), the de facto leader of the Midnight Society, has disappeared after trying to secure a mysterious book. This inciting incident sets off a perilous journey in which Luke and the other three members of The Midnight Society – Gabby (Malia Baker), Hanna (Beatrice Kitsos), and Jai (Arjun Athalye) – must figure out how to save their friend.
The first reboot gave us a new iconic villain in the form of Mr. Top Hat. This latest season once again steps up to the plate by providing a genuinely scary time with a creature known as The Shadow Man. Even adults may find some of the scares a bit intense throughout these episodes, which honestly feels like a good thing since it is better to believe in what your audience can handle rather than watering down the material with a limp execution. One of the favorable aspects of our antagonist this season is the use of practical special effects to bring this creature to life. The jump scares spread throughout the season are often earned instead of tricked out of you. This year we also get plenty of fun allusions to the original series than old-school fans will greatly appreciate. Some nods are subtle, while others are an integral part of the story; it was a nice touch to bring the Sardo character back to assist the kids on their adventure. The frantic magician may have been recast, but Ryan Beil puts on a worthy performance that ranks among the better parts of the show.
If this franchise is going to continue to churn through new cast members each season, it is important to find a collection of Midnight Society members that work well together, and that is mostly the case here. The weak link here is Luke, who the series insists is stepping into a role of leadership when all evidence points towards him being the least worthy and least interesting – although still quite likable. We are more partial to Hanna, a zealous climate activist who consistently handles her business throughout the season – even if she is also accompanied by her sporadically annoying younger brother Seth (Dominic Mariche). Jai takes on the class clown role without being too far on the annoying side of the spectrum. Gabby Lewis represents those of us who want more magic from the world and less lousy, soul-draining labor. Together they feel like a real friend group who share a genuine concern for one of their own. The season does feature some slight wheel-spinning at points and can be a bit inconsistent with character arcs, but for the most part this newest installment continues to be a delightful surprise.
Video Quality
Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse Of The Shadows comes to DVD with a 480p transfer that is quite formidable for the format. Skin tones look natural, and there are some decent facial details present. Compression artifacts are present without being overwhelming. Black levels are quite strong with only a minimal amount of blocking. Colors are nice and fairly vibrant, even if the setting this time around is not as flashy as the carnival setting for the first installment. This DVD offers up a notable amount of detail from the production design to clothing. This presentation is just about as good as a DVD can look. This would have made for a striking Blu-Ray, though.
Audio Quality
The DVD provides a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that serves the show incredibly well within the limitations of the format. The jump scares provide the biggest engagement within the track with numerous powerful moments showing force in the low end. The track utilizes all of the channels to the full effect by creating a creepy atmosphere ripe for thrills. Dialogue is crisp and clear within the center channel of the mix. This is never overpowered by any sound effects or music that crop up in the course of the series. Directionality is rendered accurately so that sounds originate from all the natural spots. Environmental sounds such as weather effects add a dynamic touch to the proceedings. Overall, fans of the series should be very pleased by the audio presentation.
Special Features
There are no special features included on this disc.
Final Thoughts
Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse Of The Shadows is another successful installment in this new era of the series. There are a few minor annoyances that pop up, but for the most part the kids have a good chemistry and the story offers some genuine thrills. Paramount Home Entertainment has released a DVD that features a decent A/V presentation but no special features. Once again, I wish they would release this series on Blu-Ray, but those who choose to check out the disc should be mostly pleased with the presentation.
Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse Of The Shadows is currently available to purchase on DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the DVD.
Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
