‘Goosebumps’ (2023) Recap: ‘Welcome to Horrorland’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rachel Harris as Nora in ‘Goosebumps’ (2023). (Photo Courtesy of David Astorga/Disney.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Finale of ‘Goosebumps’ (2023). To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that horror stories that feature some kind of grand monster or elusive force, end in a supremely formulaic manner. Wherein those tormented by those entities must figure out their weaknesses and what makes them tick, so they can finally defeat them and give the audience the happy ending they crave. Wherein evil is vanquished as we hope for it for it be in this world by forces of good and well… those formulas are often served up in horror films because they work, and they do indeed give us what we crave. And for a while it seemed as though the season finale of Goosebumps (2023) on Disney+ and Hulu, was going to follow all of that to a tee. 

After ‘Welcome to Horrorland’ took the time to offer up a little backstory on the powerful being that Mr. Bratt unleashed in last week’s tale. For he turned out to be a being known as Kanduu. An immortal monster that could control minds and people with ease and he came to fruition, courtesy of war. For he inhabited a man named Rupert back in 1879 and well… the horrors of war and the evil that humanity projects, left Kanduu/Rupert wondering if there was a better way. A way where humanity would unite, and well… our villain believed he had figured out a way to make that happen… and was forcing people to submit to his power to bring his plan to life, before an old friend banished his soul into Slappy to stop his twisted plan from coming to fruition. 

One that was revealed after our heroes returned to Port Lawrence to discover… Kanduu had taken complete control of the town with his powers and used the hypnotized populace to build himself a grandiose tower. Where the citizens of this proud town would die within that tower, to bring about an age of darkness ruled by the monsters of lore. All so that humanity would no longer harm one another, and band together to fight the creatures of the night, giving rise to a better world, apparently. But of course, that outcome was unacceptable. So, the group used that knowledge and the knowledge of the spells that Kanduu took part in, to use his magic against him and eventually, defeat him by robbing him of the very power that gave him eternal life. Which was… a very by the numbers way to bring down evil, since it did indeed involve weaknesses and knowledge.

But therein lie a surprise. For it turned out that this series wanted to do something a little different with the ending of this tale and give us a twist to defeating monsters that was both surprising and lightly philosophical in nature. For in order to truly defeat Rupert/Kanduu, Isaiah had to sacrifice himself to help Margot complete the spell. But rather than let him pass, Margot, as a result of her newfound feelings for Isaiah, discovered by an honest talk between the two of them, opted to fire up the spells once again. Giving new life to Isiah and new life to Kanduu as well. All because Margot could not let go, and well… therein lies the philosophy. Since that moment speaks deeply to the real possibility that we as a society let evil persist because we are not ready to really sacrifice what is necessary to end it permanently.

But all philosophy aside, this is an ending that also informs us… the journey isn’t over yet. Since Kanduu is clearly eager to thrive and finish what he started, and he could use Isiah as that vessel or Mister Bratt since he appeared to him in a reflection. But before we ponder further on a second season, we must celebrate one delightful finale. Since this one, not only surprised us with that thoughtful twist, but it also… was scary and intense. Courtesy of the hellscape that Port Lawrence was transformed into and how Kanduu managed to pull such matters off, and his demented plan was equally as disturbing, as was whatever Fifi transformed into. And well, in the end, this was just a great season through and through. One that truly reinvented this saga in a dynamic and fun manner and left us eager for more and hopefully we get a season two announcement soon. So, we can see what lies ahead in the battle to stop Kanduu, and if our heroes can really do what must be done to stop him.

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