Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 3 key art: Sabrina in Hell

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — Part 3 (Netflix) Review

Synopsis: Love and loyalty are pushed to their limits as Sabrina navigates a sinister new normal — with help from Greendale’s bravest allies.

Format: 8 episodes streaming on Netflix simultaneously.

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis, Chance Perdomo, Michelle Gomez, Ross Lynch, Jaz Sinclair, Lachlan Watson, Richard Coyle, Tati Gabrielle, Gavin Leatherwood, Luke Cook, Alessandro Juliani, Sam Corlett, Adeline Rudolph, Jonathan Whitesell, Abigail Cowen

Directors: Rob Seidenglanz (1, 3, 8), Alex Pillai (2), Veit Nguyen (4), Rozanne Benjamin (5), Michael Goi (6), Craig William Macnielll (7)

Writers: Robert Aguirre-Sacasa (Developed by, 1, 8), Ross Maxwell (2), Oanh Ly (3), Donna Thorland (4), Matthew Barry (5), Joshua Conkel (6), Lindsay Valgoo Bring (7), Daniel King (8)

One would think it’d be hard to follow an ending where your hero defeats the Dark Lord himself. But this part of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina not only improves on what came before, it tells a fun story in its own right and lays the groundwork for an exciting future.

At the end of last season, Sabrina’s (Kiernan Shipka) boyfriend Nick (Gavin Leatherwood) was taken to Hell as the human prison of Lucifer (Luke Cook), while Lillith (Michelle Gomez) crowned herself Queen of Hell. Unhappy with this, Sabrina recruits her friends Roz (Jaz Sinclair), Harvey (Ross Lynch) and Theo (Lachlan Watson) to retrieve him. In Hell, unrest forces Sabrina into assuming the title of Queen with Lillith as regent. She’s quickly challenged by Caliban (Sam Corlett), a prince of Hell, and set on a quest to recover the three objects of the Unholy Regalia.

Sabrina and allies facing the throne of Hell

Meanwhile, Zelda (Miranda Otto) tries to keep the coven afloat after Faustus Blackwood (Richard Coyle) poisoned most of it, with the survivors’ powers depleted as they struggle with their faith. Hilda (Lucy Davis) helps where she can but is more focused on life with Dr. C (Alessandro Juliani). Ambrose (Chance Perdomo) and Prudence (Tati Gabrielle) scour the earth for Blackwood to take revenge and rescue Prudence’s siblings. A carnival also arrives in Greendale, run by a group of Pagans with plans of their own — a serious threat to the Church of Night.

The pacing this time is much improved, thanks to a more spaced-out story and a reduced episode count. Each episode ramps up the season’s plot and ends on notes that make binging hard to resist. I sometimes felt solutions arrived via last-minute discoveries from Ambrose or others rather than something Sabrina learned — but the final two episodes put those concerns to bed. They’re the best of the series so far, weaving multiple threads together and ending on a note brimming with potential for Part 4 and beyond.

The Pagans make for an interesting new threat and exemplify the season’s stronger world-building; they each have distinct powers and get room to use them. Extended time in Hell introduces more of its denizens, with demons that evoke Buffy/Angel vibes. Visually, the show looks better than ever, and the once-overused blurred-edge shots are used far less.

Kiernan Shipka remains a strong lead — perhaps even more likable as Sabrina’s moral compass is repeatedly tested. Michelle Gomez delights, both as the wickedly sardonic Lillith and as Mary Wardwell dealing with a massive life gap. Miranda Otto and Lucy Davis continue to shine, even as their sisterly dynamic is strained, while Chance Perdomo is a joy whenever he appears (even if Ambrose is tasked with many an info-dump). Among new faces, Caliban and Robin (Jonathan Whitesell) stand out: Sam Corlett plays the cocky, self-assured rival perfectly, while Robin serves as a charming love interest for Theo.

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One element I could do without: the frequent musical numbers. The cast can sing, sure, but many performances (especially the band with Ross, Theo and Roz) feel repetitive, filling the same plot function before Sabrina arrives to interrupt — almost beat-for-beat each time.

Bottom line: Sabrina returns with its best run yet. The final 15 minutes left me shocked and impressed by the storytelling — a clever “have your cake and eat it too” capper. Here’s hoping Part 4 isn’t far away.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Part 3 releases on Netflix January 24, 2020.