A clip from the Netflix YouTube channel shows New Yorkers reacting to a robotic hand familiar to fans of the Addams Family, known as The Thing. The snippet is part of a broader promotional push for the new series Wednesday, which Netflix released on November 23, 2022. The playful video runs just over ninety seconds and stages a mix of fear, astonishment, and laughter as the living hand interacts with the city’s residents. Viewers get a glimpse of the uncanny charm that The Thing brings to the Addams Family universe, a wink to classic spooky humor that translates well to modern streaming audiences.
The stunt was crafted to generate buzz around the character and the series, inviting audiences to anticipate how Wednesday would blend dark humor with mystery in a contemporary coming‑of‑age story. The moment is designed to feel spontaneous, yet it is carefully choreographed to showcase the playful chemistry between the hand prop and the unsuspecting participants. By weaving a familiar horror trope into a cheerful city setting, the video aims to strike a balance between intrigue and entertainment, encouraging social shares and engagement across platforms.
In the promotional sequence, The Thing appears almost as a character in its own right, eliciting a spectrum of reactions from awe to surprise. Some pedestrians experience a genuine scare as the mechanical hand moves with uncanny precision, while others offer quick, amused smiles or bursts of laughter. The contrast between fear and delight mirrors the tonal shifts that fans can expect from Wednesday, where suspense sits alongside humor and offbeat charm. The performance underscores how the hand can provoke memorable responses without needing dialogue, relying on movement, timing, and audience cues.
Victor Dorobant, a Romanian illusionist, plays The Thing in Netflix’s latest adaptation. His role demonstrates how a single prop can anchor a large-scale fantasy while allowing performers and filmmakers to explore a wider range of physical storytelling. Dorobant’s portrayal leans into the metal and rubber realism that helps sell the hand’s otherworldly presence, inviting viewers to suspend disbelief and lean into the quirky mood of the series. The choice of an experienced illusionist as The Thing emphasizes the production’s commitment to convincing effects that resonate with viewers across multiple markets.
Wednesday follows the life of Wednesday Addams, the daughter of Morticia and Gomez Addams, as she navigates a new school environment and confronts her psychic abilities. The show reimagines the famous family saga, blending gothic aesthetics with a coming‑of‑age narrative that explores individuality, friendship, and self-discovery. Set against a serialized backdrop of mysteries and supernatural hints, the story invites audiences to consider how a sharp, perceptive mind can navigate the complexities of adolescence with an edge of wit and resilience. The series builds its world through a distinctive visual style, character dynamics, and a pacing that keeps viewers curious about the next clue or quirky exchange.
Initial reactions to Wednesday’s launch highlighted its strong pull on English‑language audiences, with early viewership patterns suggesting it quickly captured a wide audience base. Industry observers noted that the show’s mix of familiar Addams Family lore and fresh, modern storytelling helped it outperform several competing titles during the first week after release. The buzz around Wednesday reflects a broader trend where streaming platforms measure success not only by total hours watched but by ongoing engagement, word of mouth, and cultural relevance across English‑speaking regions in North America. Analysts who track streaming metrics point to high levels of retention and repeat viewing as indicators of a durable preference for this particular entry in the franchise. In summary, the promotional campaign and the show itself succeeded in establishing Wednesday as a focal point for fans and casual viewers alike, drawing attention to the seamless blend of nostalgia and contemporary storytelling that characterizes Netflix’s latest adaptation.