A Series Of Unfortunate Events Season 2 Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

5. The Charming Children

A Series Of Unfortunate Events Season 2
Netflix

The actors playing the Baudelaire orphans weren't bad by any means in Season 1, but as inexperienced youngsters in a sea of acting veterans, their performances didn't really stand out too much.

That changes in Season 2, as we get a clearer sense of who they are, and with it far stronger performances from the central trio, witnessing their growth as actors and how much more comfortable they are in these roles.

Malina Weismann and Louis Hynes both have an easy likeability that's played up even more here, and it's matched with steely resolve, moments of terror, and fleeting hints of romance (not with each other, he hastens to add - this is NOT Game of Thrones), all of which is nicely understated. Even better is Presley Smith as Sunny, albeit with some digital enhancements, who is not only adorable but also the most consistently funny character in the show (with credit to Tara Strong for the vocal work too).

If we couldn't buy into the plight of the orphans or root for them to eventually find happiness then the show wouldn't work, but these three make it effortless.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.