What 'The Addams Family' teaches us about diversity and inclusion

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, there was no trick-or-treating or family party for Halloween 2020. Instead, we opted for a movie night by the campfire, complete with s'mores. We searched for a spooky (but not scary) movie appropriate for an eight-year-old. We ultimately settled on the animated version of The Addams Family. I knew we were in for laughs and gore but had no idea I'd also be schooled on diversity and inclusion.

Assimilated into Assimilation

The story begins with the wedding of Gomez Addams (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron), who share an intricate grooming ritual, including using her parents' ashes as eye shadow. The ceremony ends abruptly, however, when they're interrupted by an angry, intolerant mob. Longing for a new place to call home, the newlyweds drive to New Jersey. They fall in love with a hilltop asylum, which is providing shelter for Lurch (Conrad Vernon) and a house spirit (also Conrad Vernon).

The story advances 13 years, and the Addams are settled into their home, having been joined by a teenage daughter, Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz) and a preteen Pugsley (Finn Wolfhard). Down the hill, HGTV-esque TV personality Margaux Needler (Allison Janney), who makes over homes, has made over an entire town literally named "Assimilation." During a welcome ceremony, residents perform a song containing the lyrics, "What's so great about being yourself, when you can be just like everyone else?"