Netflix's A Series Of Unfortunate Events: 7 Ups & 1 Down

This article is dark, dangerous, and depressing. We suggest you read something else.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events Ups Downs
Netflix

On Friday the 13th, 13 years after the movie, came a new adaptation of Lemony Snicket's 13 part series (although not, as most Netflix shows are, 13 episodes).

That may be considered unlucky for some, but - despite the title - Netflix are very fortunate indeed to have this series in their catalogue, and so too are us viewers.

Lemony Snicket's books are beloved by children and adults alike, chronicling the lives of the three Baudelaire children - Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny - who lose their parents in a fire. From there, they're passed from guardian to guardian, with the vile, villainous Count Olaf never far behind on the hunt for their fortune.

A mix of humour, darkness, misery, absurdity, and literary references, it deserves better than the 2004 film, since the books stand as some of the finest works of modern children's literature. Thankfully, and despite what all of the marketing may tell you, Netflix have visibly, fabulously delivered.

(This review is largely spoiler-free, though if you don't know the series at all it does touch on plot points from each of the eight episodes).

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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.