There was always some dread and terror running beneath Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 1971 film adaptation, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder as the eccentric candy maker. (The less said about Tim Burton‘s Johnny Depp-focused version, the better, but yes: dread and terror also present there, too.) But a whole new level of unease is unlocked with Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, Netflix’s new reality competition starring a bunch of wide-eyed fame-seekers, one of the original Oompa Loompas from the 1971 film, and the jump scare of Wilder’s AI-recreated voice.
Haunting. Here’s the trailer, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.
“Just like Charlie Bucket and Grandpa Joe in Roald Dahl’s original 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 12 lucky golden ticket winners, each with a partner of their choosing, will step through the gates of Wonka’s Chocolate Factory,” Netflix explains.
“Once inside, delicious mischief awaits, as the players must navigate a series of Wonka’s temptations and challenges, which are designed to push them physically, mentally, and morally. Veruca Salt’s ‘I want it now!’ energy may come in handy—or it may lead to disastrous consequences. Players will journey through the factory’s wondrous and unpredictable landscape while proving they have the instincts, resilience, and character to thrive in chaos. And, yes, they might even bump into an Oompa Loompa or two.”
“In the end, only one contestant will earn Wonka’s life-changing prize in this high-stakes social experiment inspired by one of the most iconic worlds in cinematic history.”
Lest we forget, Netflix—which may have taken some inspiration for the above from Squid Game: The Challenge—dropped an unspecified bundle of cash (maybe even “a lifetime supply of money”?) on the Dahl catalog a few years back. Since then, it’s been trying to figure out the best use of that purchase. There have been a handful of notable projects, including Matilda the Musical and the Oscar-winning Wes Anderson short The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar, and Taika Waititi’s animated Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory is due next Christmas.
But so far, none of the streamer’s Dahl adaptations have achieved blockbuster levels of success or even viral notoriety. Maybe Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, featuring original Oompa Loompa Rusty Goffe and Wilder’s disembodied voice (even with “the consent of Mr. Wilder’s estate,” it’s still spooky), will push Netflix over the edge.
The “reality competition beyond pure imagination,” as it’s billing itself, arrives September 23, with a two-part finale on September 30. Will you be tuning in?
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