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'The Spiderwick Chronicles': Christian Slater's 'dark' performance in Roku channel's adventure series wins hearts

'The Spiderwick Chronicles' is based on the novel of same name by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Spiderwick Chronicles', Roku channel's latest fantasy series, brings magic and creatures to the forefront. Based on Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's beloved novel, the series debuted on Friday, April 19, captivating viewers with its enchanting setting.

Following the Grace family's relocation to their ancestral home, the show reveals a series of long-hidden truths, charming audiences with its intriguing storyline.

'The Spiderwick Chronicles' garners mixed reactions from fans 

As soon as 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' premiered on Roku, fans rushed to X to share their opinions. Among the highlights was the widespread admiration for Christian Slater's portrayal of Mulgarath, with many expressing their evident affection for the actor.

A Christian Slater fan said, "Watching the first eppy of the new Spiderwick Chronicles and hellllooooo Christian Slater." While another added, "Really like the new Spiderwick Chronicles series on the Roku Channel! It’s more scary and horror oriented than the old movie. It was originally a Disney Plus show but then was sold off. Glad it eventually found a home. Christian Slater and Alyvia Alyn Lind play great Ogres."

"It's cool when a series can reinvent itself like that. I saw a clip with Christian Slater and was surprised at the darker tone. I'm intrigued," said one enthusiast. "Okay, so I'm watching the new Spiderwick Chronicles and so far I love it," said an internet user.

Meanwhile, another admirer described the series as a solid fantasy and said, "The Spiderwick Chronicles is a solid fantasy series. I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is."

One praised the show as entertaining, saying, "New Spiderwick Chronicles series leans more towards teen horror and it's really fun. Saw the first episode with my son (12) and we're both super excited to watch the rest." A fan wrote, "First Episode In I’m Loving."

Additionally, several people voiced their criticism of the series for having a subpar narrative and low production quality.

A fan stated, "The only problem I have w the Spiderwick Chronicles TV show is the lack of creatures & I feel like it's a budget issue on Disney's part since this was a Disney show first. Spending all that money on Star Wars & Marvel but not on fairies & trolls & goblins. Hm."

Another expressed disapproval of the series' writing and commented, "The Spiderwick Chronicles is... roughly written."

Why did Disney+ cancel 'The Spiderwick Chronicles'? 

Initially announced by Disney+, the news of 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' making its streaming debut on the platform sparked excitement among fans. However, this enthusiasm quickly turned to confusion when Disney+ unexpectedly removed the series from its lineup of fantasy productions. 

Fortunately, The Roku Channel later stepped in to rescue the series. Despite this, admirers remained perplexed by Disney+'s sudden decision to shelve what seemed like a promising project.

The cancellation stemmed from Disney+'s cost-cutting strategy, prioritizing profitability over new ventures, according to Deadline. This move aimed to allocate resources to established blockbuster

franchises like Marvel and 'Star Wars'.

Moreover, the fact that 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' was a unique Disney+ endeavor based on non-Disney intellectual property may have influenced the platform's decision to cancel the show. However, the series is currently streaming on Roku channel were fans can watch it for free. 

'The Spiderwick Chronicles' trailer