Goosebumps: Shakin’ in My Boots

Goosebumps (2023) serves as an adaptation of the novels, a revival of the TV show, and a reboot following the recent Goosebumps movie. Needless to say, this newest adaptation is going to have a lot to compare to, for better or for worse. R.L Stine’s original novels served as one and done stories for kids which many remember fondly as a nice introduction into the realm of horror and thrillers. These novels were short, straight to the point, and were framed around a specific device or motif that caused things to go awry. Taking direct inspiration from those stories, Goosebumps (2023) uses the plots/titles of these books for each episode, while striving to tell an overarching narrative rather than the one and done plots. This sounds like a fun idea in concept; however, the execution in Goosebumps’ (2023) first episode “Say Cheese And Die” leaves a lot to be desired.

The overarching plot of Goosebumps (2023) revolves around a group of highschoolers who are subject to a series of mysterious occurrences revolving around a boy who had died under mysterious circumstances back when their parents were in school. From this core concept, the plot devices, such as the camera in this first episode, make their way into the episodes, recreating the stories from the original novels. Unfortunately, the worldbuilding and connecting narratives are what drag this show down. More than half of the first episode is spent establishing characters and their interpersonal relationships. This is par for the course for any pilot episode; however, this makes all the horror and suspense take a back seat while the characters complain about their grades, relationships, and futures. The episode starts on a high note, setting up the mystery, but setup makes it drag along until it finally picks back up again later.

Once the plot with the killer camera picks up, so does the show. In an almost immediate tonal shift, the episode starts feeling like the original novel and TV show. If this episode had maintained that mystery throughout, sprinkling in the overarching narrative, then it would have worked a lot better. The plot with the camera, while simple, sets up a truly horrifying premise, as the camera produces images of future calamities such as one of the characters succumbing to her peanut allergy, or an injury at the football game. This creates a sense of tension that builds the suspense as each incident grows more and more threatening. This is also where the special effects budget comes into play, with the show doing a fairly decent job, highlighting the capabilities and budget behind a Disney+ production. That being said, the special effects and CGI weren’t entirely necessary, although they do add to the ambiance.

What really stood out in this show was the sound design and music choices. The sound design in particular gives this show a cinematic feel, sometimes even elevating the actions on the screen. Regardless of what is happening on the screen, the sound makes it feel meaningful and gives it all a wonderful gravitas. The show opens with the song “Drive” by R.E.M which is about people taking charge of their own lives. This works exceptionally for the themes of this show, with the kids in school attempting to carve out their futures. This also ties in well with the camera plot, as the photos show a destiny that the characters are attempting to escape. Overall, the sound and music choices for this show are stellar and highlight the high production value.