Okay, so I have to admit something right off the bat – I was completely obsessed with Netflix’s Wednesday when it dropped last year. Like, embarrassingly so. But you know what really got me? It wasn’t just Jenna Ortega’s incredible performance or even that viral dance scene (though, let’s be honest, I definitely tried to recreate it in my living room). No, what absolutely stole my heart was Thing, that iconic disembodied hand.
I mean, how does a hand – literally just a hand – become one of the most compelling characters on television? Well, stick around because I’m about to dive deep into everything that makes Thing so special.
Who (and What) Is Thing?
So here’s the thing about Thing (see what I did there?) – he’s been around way longer than most people realize. I grew up watching the old Addams Family reruns with my grandmother, and even back then, Thing was this mysterious presence that just… worked somehow.
In Netflix’s Wednesday, Thing gets sent by Gomez and Morticia to basically spy on their daughter at Nevermore Academy. But honestly? He becomes so much more than that. Actually, let me rephrase that – he becomes Wednesday’s ride-or-die companion, and watching their friendship develop throughout the series genuinely made me emotional.
Despite being, you know, just a hand, Thing has more personality than half the human characters I’ve seen on TV lately. He’s loyal to a fault, incredibly expressive (seriously, how does a hand convey sarcasm so well?), and sometimes delightfully mischievous.
Thing’s Role in Netflix’s Wednesday
Here’s where I get a bit geeky about storytelling – Thing isn’t just there for comic relief, which would’ve been the easy route. The writers actually made him integral to the plot, and I respect that so much.
He’s Wednesday’s confidant when she can’t trust anyone else. Her protector when things get dangerous. Her partner-in-crime when she’s investigating the school’s mysteries. And honestly? Some of my favorite moments in the entire series involve just Wednesday and Thing having these silent conversations.
Some of Thing’s most memorable moments that had me literally cheering at my TV:
- Helping Wednesday escape from sticky situations (that window scene still gives me anxiety)
- Being part of that iconic dance sequence – who knew a hand could have rhythm?
- Those heart-stopping moments where he literally saves the day
What really gets me is how Thing interacts with other characters, especially Enid. There’s this beautiful moment where… actually, no spoilers. But trust me, it’s perfect.
Bringing Thing to Life: Behind the Scenes
Okay, this is where my mind was completely blown. I always wondered how they made Thing look so real and expressive, and when I found out about the process, I was genuinely amazed.
So there’s this Romanian actor and magician named Victor Dorobantu – and can we talk about how perfect it is that he’s a magician? – who performs Thing while wearing this specially designed blue suit. Then they use advanced CGI to basically erase everything except the hand movements.
The VFX supervisor, James McQuaide, and his team developed this incredible motion capture technology specifically for Thing’s scenes. I read somewhere that Dorobantu spent months studying hand movements and sign language to create Thing’s unique personality, and honestly, that dedication shows in every single scene.
Here are some production facts that made me appreciate the show even more:
- They recorded over 200 hours of motion capture data just for Thing’s scenes (can you imagine?)
- The team created a custom “hand rig” for the more complex stunts
- Dorobantu worked directly with Jenna Ortega to develop that amazing chemistry between Thing and Wednesday
- They used multiple prosthetic hands for close-up shots and practical effects
The attention to detail is just… chef’s kiss
Thing’s Cultural Impact and Fan Reception
You know what’s wild? Since Wednesday premiered in November 2022, Thing has basically become a cultural phenomenon. I’m not exaggerating – this hand has its own fanbase!
I’ve been scrolling through TikTok (probably too much, if I’m being honest), and #ThingAddamsFamily has over 50 million views. Fifty million! People are creating tribute videos, doing Thing impressions, and honestly, some of them are incredibly creative.
The merchandise situation is weird, too. I may or may not have bought a Thing plush toy for my desk at work. Don’t judge me – he’s surprisingly good company during long meetings.
But what I find most interesting is how Thing has become this symbol of non-verbal communication. I’ve seen posts from people in the deaf community talking about how meaningful it is to see a character who communicates primarily through gestures and sign language being portrayed as intelligent, capable, and essential to the story.
The cosplay community has absolutely embraced Thing, too. I went to a comic convention last month, and I saw at least a dozen different Thing interpretations – from simple glove designs to these elaborate mechanical contraptions that actually moved. The creativity was incredible.
Thing’s Evolution: From Comics to Netflix
This is where my inner nerd really comes out – I love seeing how characters evolve across different adaptations. Thing’s journey from Charles Addams’ original 1930s cartoons to Netflix’s 2022 series is fascinating.
Original Comics (1938-1988)
In the beginning, Thing was pretty simple – just a mysterious hand emerging from a box in Addams’ New Yorker cartoons. Honestly, he was more of a visual gag than a fully developed character.
1960s TV Series
The classic TV show is where Thing really started to become a family member. He lived in that wooden box and communicated through tapping, which was actually pretty innovative for the time. Fun fact: he was performed by assistant director Jack Voglin.
1990s Movies
Barry Sonnenfeld’s films – oh man, I love those movies – gave Thing so much more personality and mobility. Christopher Hart, who was also a magician (there’s definitely a pattern here), brought this incredible expressiveness to the character through puppetry techniques that were groundbreaking at the time.
Netflix’s Wednesday (2022)
And now we have this version, where Thing is Wednesday’s closest confidant. The advanced CGI allows for more complex interactions and emotional depth than we’ve ever seen before. This Thing feels more protective, more loyal, but still maintains that mischievous spirit that makes him so endearing.
Revolutionary VFX Technology
I have to geek out about the technology for a second because it’s genuinely impressive. Netflix’s Wednesday represents this breakthrough in character animation that I think we’ll be seeing more of in the future.
They used:
- Advanced motion capture with high-resolution sensors that captured every tiny movement
- Real-time rendering so directors could see Thing’s final appearance during filming (how cool is that?)
- This hybrid approach combining real hand performances with digital enhancement
- Custom animation software developed specifically for hand-based character animation
Actually, let me tell you why this matters – this technological innovation has set new standards for non-human character performance in television. Other productions are already exploring similar techniques, and I think Thing might have just changed the game.
Fascinating Thing Facts
Okay, here are some random facts about Thing that I find absolutely delightful:
- He’s basically multilingual – communicating through American Sign Language, finger spelling, and Morse code tapping
- Thing can play piano! There’s this beautiful moment in the series where… well, you’ll see
- Some of his more dangerous scenes required a specialized mechanical hand operated by puppeteers (safety first!)
- Victor Dorobantu studied all previous Thing performances to maintain character continuity while adding new dimensions
- According to Netflix’s viewership data, scenes featuring Thing have some of the highest rewatch rates in the series
That last fact doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve definitely rewatched certain Thing scenes multiple times.
Why We Love Thing
You know what? At the end of the day, Thing represents something we all crave – unwavering loyalty and friendship. In a world where everyone seems to have ulterior motives, Thing is just… There for Wednesday. No questions asked, no conditions attached.
He’s also a beautiful reminder that communication doesn’t always require words. Some of the most powerful moments in the series happen in complete silence, with just Thing’s gestures conveying everything we need to know.
And honestly? There’s something magical about embracing the weird and wonderful. Thing is objectively bizarre – a disembodied hand shouldn’t be this compelling – but somehow he is. He reminds us that heroes really do come in all shapes and sizes.
Plus, he’s got better comedic timing than most human actors I’ve seen lately.
Want more Netflix’s Wednesday content? I’ve got you covered – check out our character profiles, episode guides, and behind-the-scenes interviews for even more Addams Family goodness. And seriously, drop a comment below with your favorite Thing moments. I could talk about this character all day!