Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is taking its final bow when the fourth season premieres on Netflix on New Year’s Eve (December 31). 

Sabrina and friends embark on one final adventure to save Greendale from the Eldritch Terrors, though, if I’m being frank, both the coven and Sabrina’s mortal friends prove that they have enough steam to continue on for several more seasons.

And while the eight episodes are a testament to the fact that the cancellation was premature, one can also justify that they prove the very belief that sometimes it’s better to end when you’re in your prime. 

And praise heavens, Sabrina is in that prime as season 4 allows itself to fully exist in the madness and chaos that it has created over the years. 

After all, how much more danger and destruction could this small town suffer at the hands of the supernatural?

The Eldritch Terrors, which descend upon Greendale, aren’t just a threat to Greendale, however. The ancient entities that culminate with the arrival of the Void — the end of all things — pose a threat to the world and all the realms.

A race to stop the “end of all things” is admittedly quite a fitting and meta theme for the final season. 

Each episode, which is more like a mini jam-packed movie, finds Sabrina and team putting their heads together to fend off the terrors. Though they aren’t as fully prepared for what’s to come as Faustus Blackwood – who has been obsessing about the wicked things to come since season 3 (remember he snagged the Time Egg, the twins, and Agatha and did some ritual in which he declared that it would be “the beginning of the end of the Spellmans.”) – they do have one weapon in their arsenal that proves to be paramount: Ambrose. 

The show may revolve around Sabrina – she’s the titular character after all – but Ambrose has always been the brains behind the operations, now even more than ever. Chance Perdomo truly gets to shine this season as he leans on the vast knowledge his character has acquired over the centuries. Even when Ambrose isn’t exactly himself, he’s still Sabrina’s go-to, and it’s lovely to see him get the screen time he so very much deserves.

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (L to R) CHANCE PERDOMO as AMBROSE in episode
212 of CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA. Cr. NETFLIX © 2020

Sabrina’s relationships are in a state of turmoil at the kickstart of the season as she realizes that not having the world revolve around her is a pretty isolating feeling. And that’s because at her core, Sabrina thrives on being the heroine; it seems like that’s her true purpose in life.

After all, she declares that she’s “always responsible for what’s happening,” and she’s not wrong. Back in season 3, Sabrina (and Sabrina Morningstar) created a time paradox when they chose to exist simultaneously and facing those repercussions is par for the course. Kiernan Shipka gets to continue exploring both of these characters, and admittedly, Brina was onto something as two Sabrina’s are better than one. 

However, Sabrina needs her friends and family more than ever when the terrors arrive. The power of the coven has always been instrumental in taking down evil and that only intensifies this season as they even work along with their enemies from hell towards the common goal of survival.

By now, not only do the characters know themselves inside and out, but so do the actors portraying them. The deep understanding and comfort-level of these characters allows them to play with the roles in a few episodes where reality is distorted. It’s a blast to watch, and maybe this is me being biased, but I’m a sucker for scenes with alternate realities as they provide an even greater obstacle to overcome. 

Sure, it’s impressive to defeat a terror when everything is normal, but how do you go about it when the reality you’ve grown accustomed to is flipped upside down?

The episodes have a bit of a season 3 time-traveling vibe, but it’s less complex and much easier to follow. Kudos to the writers for realizing that they needed to simplify it for it to make any sense… even by supernatural standards. Through more cohesive storytelling, the audience is always up to speed as episodes flow seamlessly into each other. 

The fact that the characters are so established also allows for further character development, which is done best with Roz. She’s always been one of the most promising characters next to Sabrina, and in her final arc, she learns more about herself and her cunning.

The dynamics of freedom and power have always been toyed with since the first episode, but it’s nice to see it happen for someone other than Sabrina! 

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (L to R) RICHARD COYLE as FR. FAUSTUS BLACKWOOD in episode 212 of CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA Cr. DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX © 2020

Blackwood becomes the biggest obstacle as he’s obsessed with the terrors and continues to stand in the way moreso than Lucifer, who has taken a bit of a backseat and embraced a more comedic nature. Prudence was right in season 3 – they should have killed him when they had the chance. 

One of my biggest gripes with the series is the lack of character development for Judas and Judith; throughout the season’s, they barely serve a purpose and are only included as mute sidekicks for Blackwood. I would have liked them to be more than just placeholders. 

Lilith undergoes quite a traumatic experience, but in true fashion, always comes out on top and better than ever thanks to Michelle Gomez’s acting chops – she impeccably pulls double duty portraying both Lilith and meek Mary Wardwell, who, well, I can’t even figure out what her deal is by the end of the season.  

Fans have mentioned that one of the biggest problems with the series is the lack of permanent deaths or any true threat. Of course, in previous seasons, that was harder to accomplish than in the final season where anything goes. 

The thinning of the fabric between life or death is much more prevalent in the final season for that reason; the stakes are raised and so are concerns about whether your favorites will manage to stop the evils from descending and save humankind.

Romance is definitely front-and-center, next to the terrors, of course, as Nick informs Sabrina that they are endgame (as seen in the season 4 trailer). Will he manage to prove it to her? Strap in, Nick Scratch fans. There’s also some sweet moments for Hilda and Dr.C, but sadly, not everyone gets their happily ever after by the curtain close, and that’s just a bullet we’re going to have to bite. 

Best of all, the show never takes itself too seriously despite its dark nature. 

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (L to R) BETH BRODERICK as ZELDA and CAROLINE RHEA as HILDA in episode 215 of CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2020

As previously revealed, Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick, who played the iconic roles of Aunt Hilda and Zelda on The WB’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, guest star in an episode that toys with the idea of reality. 

The two appear as Sabrina is fighting “The Endless” terror and finds herself stuck in a “diabolical sitcom that never stops filming.” The episode even features a laugh track and a talking Salem, a nod to the original sitcom that ran from 1996-2003. Its moments like these that allow the series to shine and pay tribute to what came before it. The only miss is that they didn’t cast Nick Bakay as the voice of Salem! 

There are several other easter eggs throughout the episode, along with a few winks to Riverdale, and the attention to detail will be much appreciated by longtime fans. 

Over the course of four seasons (which is really only a year by the show’s standards as Brina turns 17 in the series finale), Sabrina has grown from a girl who wanted to have it all to a woman that was secure in being a half-mortal and half-witch.

Her ambitions know no bounds, she never takes no for an answer, and she understands the depths and limitations of her powers next to her male counterparts, who are always looking to knock her down.

While season 4 puts the most at risk with the fate of the world solely in Sabrina’s hands, it doesn’t offer as many cheap thrills mostly because it doesn’t need to. The series has already built up a loyal fan base that eagerly suspends disbelief to get lost in the non-sensical magic. But don’t worry, there’s still a good amount of gore and blood, which makes up for the lack of jump-out-of-your-seat moments.

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (L to R) LUKE COOK as LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR, CHANCE PERDOMO as AMBROSE SPELLMAN, and MIRANDA OTTO as ZELDA SPELLMAN in episode 213 of CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA Cr. DIYAH PERA/NETFLIX © 2020

In addition to offering sensational storytelling, the series also offers up closure. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina took a handful of household characters and made them darker, better, and more memorable. It’s what Riverdale always strived to be but never could – a show that reveled in its darkness and mystery. 

Just remember… every ending is sad, but it’s no reason not to enjoy the journey. And the final installment is one hell of a wild ride through every realm!

4.6/5