With her pale cheeks, iconic pigtails, and a crossbow in hand, the gothic teenage girl Wednesday Addams is a dark idol originating from a 1938 The New Yorker cartoon. In the 2019 MGM animated film The Addams Family, Chloe Grace Moretz's voice acting perfectly captures the dark humor in her deadpan delivery of lines like "What's the right sauce for a murderer's breakfast?" The absurd story of her standing up to community bullying in the film has become an alternative interpretation of the rebellious spirit of contemporary teenagers.In the 2021 sequel The Addams Family 2, she further showcases a growth arc from rebellion to protection through plots such as outwitting reality TV stars and safeguarding family secrets.

Director Conrad Vernon revealed, "Wednesday's evolution is not a compromise, but rather turning weirdness into strength." Her character design combines Tim Burton-esque aesthetics with the psychology of modern teenagers, allowing her to resonate across generations with her "world-weary philosophy" while retaining the classic pigtail look.