“School Spirits,” released March 9, 2023 on Paramount, is a supernatural teen drama whose characters, plot and mystery have quickly turned casual viewers into die-hard fans who are anxiously awaiting a second season.
The series follows senior Maddie Nears, played by Peyton List, in her afterlife stuck in Split River High school. The opening scene shows Maddie, or rather, her ghost, watching a school assembly where the principal calls for schoolwide efforts to help solve her disappearance. Simultaneously, Maddie works with the other spirits of the school to solve her murder.
Unlike the other spirits, when Maddie wakes up in the school boiler room, she has no memory of her death. In an effort to get her to not dwell on the past, her first spirit friend, Charley, introduces her to others who participate in the “Split River High Afterlife Support Group.” This is run by the only teacher spirit, Mr. Martin, whose main goal is to help them move on.
Throughout Maddie’s ventures of investigating her murder, writing her own obituary and learning how to speak to the living, she fosters connections in the spirit world as well as forms a more nuanced understanding of those she knew in the living world.
The show contains a realistic depiction of teen drama that isn’t over-the-top, with pop culture references that come naturally instead of feeling like random inserts in an attempt to pull in a younger audience. With twists and turns around every corner, the first season keeps viewers on edge every episode. It seems like every few minutes, the most likely suspect of Maddie’s murder changes.
n appeal of the series. The familiarity and talent of Disney stars Peyton List and Milo Manheim, combined with the relatability of Nick Pugliese and Sarah Yarkin’s characters of Charley and Rhonda, provide a cast of main characters that are easy to fall in love with.
Nevertheless, it’s not just the suspense factor that keeps fans hooked. In fact, one can argue that the charming cast is the mai
All in all, “School Spirits” is the perfect short series to watch during the Halloween season, either alone or with friends and family. And with a second season coming soon, the cliffhangers will feel a little less painful.
