A Tale Dark and Grimm review: A witty twist on classic tales

Once upon a time, A Tale Dark and Grimm arrived on Netflix: a witty and unique take on the fairy tales of old. This 10-part series follows the children Hansel and Gretel, but not the ones you know.

A Tale Dark and Grimm aims to tell the truth about fairy tales…they’re not all sparkles and rainbows. The three narrators, who happen to be ravens, make it clear that real fairy tales are dark and scary, filled with terror and gore.

That doesn’t mean this isn’t still a show for kids. The fantasy series has unique characters and musical numbers that showcase the story in a popup-book style way. This show can appeal to all ages with its clever comedy and jabs at boring adaptations of fairy tales.

With as few spoilers as possible, here’s why A Tale Dark and Grimm is worth watching.

What happens in the A Tale Dark and Grim series?

Twins Hansel and Gretel run away from their royal parents after they quite literally kill them. Gretel leads the charge, telling her brother that there’s no excuse for parents to behead their children and sew their heads back on with magic thread.

Gretel is a strong and confident girl who wants to create a perfect life. Hansel is a somewhat dim but good boy who tries his best to protect his sister. This prince and princess have a lot to learn in order to survive everything from witches and warlocks to Hell itself.

On their journey to start a new life, Hansel and Gretel venture through several other Brothers Grimm fairy tales and play a significant part in the retellings. Little do the children know that their own destiny follows close behind.

This is now Netflix describes A Tale Dark and Grimm:

"Follow Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story into a winding and wickedly witty tale full of strange — and scary — surprises."

This dark yet comedic series is incredibly clever. Hansel and Gretel seem to become tangled in every dastardly plot their magical world could offer. It provides the scariness of classic fairy tales, gore and all, using “tasteful silhouettes”. A Tale Dark and Grimm leans into the tragedy and gives children the credit they deserve in being able to handle it.

Will Hansel and Gretel ever find out why their parents chopped their heads off? Will they be able to create a perfect life for themselves without getting eaten or killed? Watch the 10 episode series to find out.

Is A Tale Dark and Grimm a good show?

This Netflix series is devilishly good and currently has a 7.9/10 on IMDb! A Tale Dark and Grimm has a unique view and style that’s anything but stale. Shows and movies based on fairy tale stories can easily become boring because we’ve heard them all before; this series avoids the pitfall with ease.

A Tale Dark and Grimm not only serves to tell a story but also give children the tools to think critically, using both your head and your heart. Kids are often told they’re too young and not strong enough to handle things. This show aims to shatter that ideology and strengthen children’s natural courage.

The constant breaking of the 4th wall by the three raven narrators adds a snarky touch that reminds you that this isn’t your average retelling. The ravens (Scott Adsit, Ron Funches, and Erica Rhodes) are here to give the audience worth and involve you in the tale.

A Tale Dark and Grimm was animated by Jam Filled Entertainment, otherwise known for The Loud House and Final Space. Their decision to disperse 2D animation throughout their series adds a sentimental popup-book feel to this otherwise irreverent kid’s animated show.

A Tale Dark and Grimm also sports an especially diverse cast both visually and behind the scenes. The series stars biracial siblings Gretel and Hansel, who are voiced by actors of color Raini Rodriguez (Disney) and Andre Robinson (The Loud House). The cast also features Nicole Byer, Eric Bauza, and Adam Lambert.

Diversity in children’s media provides representation for marginalized communities and guides kids to accept natural differences. A Tale Dark and Grimm also features a strong female lead without comparing her to her male counterpart. Diversity in kid’s media can go sour when there’s too much emphasis on the struggle rather than the success. This show proudly showcases diversity without drawing attention to our modern society’s shortcomings.

If you want to watch an animated show with clever comedy and an intelligent plot, give A Tale Dark and Grimm a try! I promise you haven’t seen anything quite like this before.