Goosebumps: The Vanishing is the latest installment in the anthology series inspired by R.L. Stine’s renowned children’s horror books, and it became available for viewing in its entirety on Hulu. This season presents a new story set in New York City and centers on a pair of fraternal twins who are adjusting to life living with their recently divorced father when they become entangled in a mystery linked to their family’s past.
It’s a great story that mixes horror and supernatural moments with comedy. I was afraid David Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller on “Friends,” would be typecast for me, but he did a great job as a botanist and father figure, and it never became a problem.
Schwimmer’s portrayal marks his inaugural venture into the horror genre, a challenge he embraced with enthusiasm, stating, “I had such a good time.” In one scene, Schwimmer’s character confronts a supernatural entity in his basement greenhouse, leading to a dramatic encounter involving practical effects and Schwimmer’s improvisation with a garden tool. He described the experience as both “gross” and exhilarating. He also mentioned that he got slightly injured while on set, reminding him that he’s no longer a young man.
Filming in New York City provided a dynamic setting that enriched the atmospheric tension. While there are plenty of monsters and other supernatural elements, it didn’t feel like the filmmakers went overboard with the CGI, allowing each scene to be immersive. It’s a new story with no ties to the past, but there are plenty of subtle nods to the past if you watch closely.
What does the future hold?
Goosebumps: The Vanishing has garnered positive reviews for its engaging storytelling and ability to balance horror with character-driven drama. Critics also like that it brings the series to a new generation of children while remaining nostalgic for those who grew up with it.
The Goosebumps series' anthology format allows each season to explore different narratives and characters for future adaptations of R.L. Stine’s extensive catalog, which means there is likely more to come. However, that also means that we might not get to see David Schwimmer revise his character again.
There has been no confirmation that a next season will occur as of this writing, but it took a few months after the last season for it to get renewed again, so all hope is not lost, and if it does get renewed, we shouldn’t have to wait as long for it to make it to our screens finally.
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