The Addams Family has creeped and kooked its way into the hearts of audiences since debuting in 1938. This spooky clan of endearing oddballs has been adapted across every form of media imaginable. But in November 2022, a new iteration of Wednesday Addams went viral in a way none could have predicted. Thanks to one ghoulishly charming dance scene, actress Jenna Ortega has propelled Wednesday into the zeitgeist for a new generation.
The Context Behind Wednesday‘s Iconic Dance
In episode 4 of Netflix‘s smash hit show Wednesday, the titular character finds herself at a school dance trying to crack a mystery. Amidst the raucous festivities, Wednesday suddenly slinks her way into the center of the dancefloor. What follows is a mesmerizing display of offbeat gothic dance moves, with Wednesday swaying and winding her arms to an otherworldly beat.
This scene was a truly career-defining moment for actress Jenna Ortega, who choreographed the dance herself. As Ortega revealed in interviews, the dance was born from a “chaotic dare” by director Tim Burton during filming. With only a few takes to nail it, Ortega impressed everyone by drawing inspiration from her loves of Siouxsie Sioux, archival gothic footage, and a touch of Fosse.
"I actually choreographed it…It was a really chaotic dare from Tim Burton. And I think [choreographing] was me just trying to see what worked and what was too weird.” – Jenna Ortega
The internet exploded over Ortega’s brilliantly weird performance as Wednesday. In mere days, clips and reenactments garnered over 100 million views across social platforms. Fans eagerly praised this instant pop culture icon and her charming physicality. But what was the deeper meaning behind this unforgettable scene?
The Significance of Wednesday Embracing Her Own Rhythm
Beyond the catchy dance routine, Wednesday finding freedom in music is a narrative trope that resonates across generations. At its core, this scene represents Wednesday staying true to her own unique rhythm. She fully embraces her idiosyncratic self in a sea of conforming "normies."
Ortega’s captivating performance made Wednesday’s solitary dance feel rebellious, cathartic and triumphant all at once. For every kid who grew up feeling like an outsider for loving all things dark and spooky, it was an anthemic moment. Gothic genres have often been unfairly stigmatized as sinister or niche interests. But here was Wednesday bringing her freak flag front and center in the mainstream spotlight.
“It‘s rare for me to see anyone that looks like me or represents me [on screen]. And I think it‘s needed. I‘m happy that I can provide that – that‘s not something I had as a child." – Jenna Ortega
Ortega, a Latinx actor, has also spoken about the importance of diverse representation in genres too often whitewashed like gothic culture. Wednesday embracing her inner darkness shows that the macabre is for everyone regardless of identity. With this scene, a legendary franchise passes the torch to a new generation more ready than ever to champion inclusivity and unfettered self-expression.
The Memetic Rise of the Wednesday Dance Across TikTok
It didn’t take long for Wednesday’s dance to spawn a viral TikTok sensation. The iconic scene was ripe for reenactment and memetic mutation. However, TikTokers chose an unexpected song rather than the actual one from the show – a sped-up version of Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary.” Against all odds, this combo became firmly embedded in the dance meme.
The #WednesdayDance hashtag now boasts over 11 billion views on TikTok. Fans from all walks of life are putting their own spin on Wednesday‘s signature moves. Even the official Wednesday Addams account gave the trend its stamp of approval, with Gaga herself welcoming Wednesday to the Haus of Gaga. This surreal moment perfectly encapsulated the mainstream zeitgeist Wednesday has captured.
As a social media expert, I’ve found this meme captures several important factors for virality. It taps into cross-generational nostalgia for The Addams Family. The simple moves make it highly imitable. And having a trend “sanctioned” by the source brand adds legitimacy for users. Wednesday’s dance scene was a perfect viral storm at the right place and time.
The Song That Started It All: "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps
While TikTok may have crowned “Bloody Mary” as the official Wednesday dance anthem, the actual song in the scene has its own fascinating backstory. The ghoulish tune that started it all is “Goo Goo Muck” by pioneering psychobilly band The Cramps.
This cult favorite from their 1981 album Psychedelic Jungle epitomized their anarchic blend of punk, garage rock, and campy horror motifs. Lyrics like “Went to a freakout, I began to freak” work eerily well with Wednesday’s possessed dance stylings. Covering this obscure gothic tune was a clever nod to pop culture history.
In the show, composer Danny Elfman created an orchestral cover of “Goo Goo Muck” that made the song feel even more sinister. His haunting arrangement added haunting vocals and instrumental embellishments perfectly tailored to Wednesday’s interpretive routine.
While The Cramps may not be a household name, their iconic influence looms large over countercultures. As a digital anthropologist, this scene demonstrates the cyclical nature of underground music entering the mainstream before fading back to its original community. Wednesday gives The Cramps‘ transgressive art a whole new lease on life.
The Ripple Effects of Wednesday‘s Viral Meme
Beyond the surface-level viral dance craze, Wednesday Addams‘ cultural comeback carries deeper implications as well. Firstly, the entire phenomenon is a testament to the creative passion Jenna Ortega invested in the role. Her input choreographing this iconic scene at just 20 years old is an inspiring display of young talent.
Moreover, the dance represents a shift towards actor-driven creativity and improvisation in Hollywood. This departs from the traditionally rigid director-actor hierarchy. As Tim Burton notes, “Jenna has this ability to twist her body in ways that are almost inhuman. She’s almost like a contortionist.” Giving Ortega agency to incorporate her natural physicality shows a promising trend.
Creatively, the meme expands public perception of what constitutes "dance" itself. Wednesday‘s untrained, interpretive style contrasts starkly with rigid tropes about dance only being precise, technically-flawless routines. Her version is silly, unpolished, even awkward – and that makes it all the more captivating as personal expression.
Most impactfully, it normalizes the Gothic subculture and celebrates standing out. Wednesday‘s dance conveys a simple but vital message to generations of viewers: you are free to be your authentic, unfiltered self, dark edges and all. For any young, creative soul who felt compelled to hide or change their inner "weirdness," Wednesday gives them courage and community.
The Timeless Appeal of the Addams Family Endures
On a broader level, the enthusiastic response to Wednesday‘s dance illustrates the enduring magic of The Addams Family itself. Since their debut in Charles Addams‘ 1930s New Yorker cartoons, this eccentric clan has continually resonated with audiences.
Through every movie, show, video game, or meme iteration, familiar elements bring comfort – the rickety Gothic mansion, uncle Fester‘s lightbulb trick, the disembodied hand called Thing. At their core, this family subverts the very idea of “normal” and celebrates individuality.
In an era where many youths feel increasingly alienated and pressured to conform to perfectionistic standards, Wednesday‘s defiant dance feels like a call to arms. Her embrace of all things macabre is a counter-cultural statement that we need not hide the parts of ourselves deemed too odd or unorthodox.
84 years since their creation, The Addams Family still represents originality triumphing over homogeneity. With brilliant new talent like Jenna Ortega leading the charge, Wednesday and her family will continue inspiring misfits for generations to come.
