**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“I declare this meeting of the Midnight Society…”

Nickelodeon provides kids and adults with a fun Halloween treat, releasing the Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019) reboot as a three part mini-series event.

Are You Afraid of the Dark? was a spooky anthology series that aired in the 1990’s for kids and I can tell you that I was absolutely a fan of this!  The Midnight Society would gather around a campfire to share some creepy stories.  When the narrator began their story, we would be transported to that actual story away from The Midnight Society, diving into a tale filled with terror and suspense.

Originally, the reboot was supposed to be a movie from my understanding, but they decided to go with the limited mini-series event for television instead.  The reboot features three episodes (50-55 minutes in length) and began airing on October 11th 2019 on Nickelodeon.  It stars Lyliana Wray, Sam Ashe Arnold, Miya Cech, Jeremy Ray Taylor, and Tamara Smart.

There is definitely room for this type of kids friendly horror, as we have recently seen Goosebumps and The House with a Clock in Its Walls provide us with some horror fun without scaring us to death.  But where does the Are You Afraid of the Dark? reboot fit in?  Let’s find out!

The Pros:

The new Midnight Society still gives you a sense of nostalgia from the original show.

I love that we have a new Midnight Society for the kids of this generation, as they can discover this spooky adventure for themselves.  Even though this is a reboot, I thought that the show captured enough of the feel from the original series, while presenting us with some new and welcomed additions.

I love that the new show decided to use the scary story as a starting point, but it actually became all too real for the characters of the Midnight Society, which made it more interesting, allowing the story to branch out over three episodes, truly coming to life.

Horror Easter eggs and discussions for adults!

If you are watching with your child, fear not!  There is plenty for you to enjoy during this series.  We get several references to well known horror movies and some discussions that will make you laugh, as the kids start breaking down the difference between horror and sci-fi and how to truly classify it.  I thought this was super fun and it really helped me relate to the series that much more.

The characters are fantastic!

I was a little skeptical at first when I met the characters, but I loved seeing the friendship and bond between them grow as they all handled this threat together.  I’m a fan of horror shows and movies that include a group of Scoobies and the new Midnight Society certainly makes the cut!

The Cons:

The effects are really cheesy at times.

But I kind of expected that going into this since the show is targeted at a younger audience. The scares are not really scary, but there are some interesting foes and fears that come to light, which kept my attention.

The show ended so soon!

I know that this was meant to be a limited series, but there was a lot of setup in episode 1 and I didn’t start to really like the series until the following episode, which is tough since there are only three episodes in total.  Once I got to the end of the series, I was so invested and I wanted to see the new Midnight Society take on some more scares and threats.  These kids are fantastic and I want to see more!

So am I in or out? 

I’m in!  I went into this show expecting to be underwhelmed and instead I was pleasantly surprised.  The show balanced a nostalgia for the original series while creating a voice of its own, allowing a new generation of horror fans to emerge. 

The release of the limited series works well with this spooky time of year and I think it’s the perfect addition for your family friendly Halloween lineup!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2019) in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!