Wendy's has cooked up something as unpredictable as a psychic vision for the new Wednesday season. In a devilishly clever partnership with Netflix's smash-hit series Wednesday, the fast-food giant has unveiled the “Meal of Misfortune”—a jet-black twist on your typical drive-thru combo.
Released on Wednesday, July 23, the meal comes cloaked in gothic glory. Packaged in limited-edition dark-themed containers that channel the show's eerie, deadpan tone, the combo includes the provocatively titled “Rest in 10-Piece” chicken nuggets, “Cursed & Crispy” small fries, and a chillingly vibrant new dessert called the “Raven's Blood” Frosty. This is not your standard Happy Meal—it’s “pure punishment in a bag,” as Wendy’s puts it.
But it’s the sauces that have fans talking—and sweating.
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“Dips of Dread”—Choose If You Dare (But Actually, You Can’t)
Every Meal of Misfortune includes two mystery sauces, chosen at random from a set of four fiendish flavors:
- You Can’t Hyde
- This Will Sting
- Grave Mistake
- Nowhere to Woe
Here’s the catch: you don’t get to pick. “Don’t bother asking which sauce you’ll get—you must surrender to your destiny,” warns Wendy’s press release. Trying all four means multiple trips, so if you’re curious (or cursed), prepare for repeat visits.
The meal became available across U.S. Wendy’s locations on August 4 and rolls out to Canada on August 11. Customers in Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, and Guam can also join in the culinary chaos.
@themeparkmom Replying to @rclll.21 Waiting in line for the Wendy’s x Wednesday haunted drive-thru in Norwalk like 🧍♀️🍔🖤… and watching car after car try to cut like they’re immune to spooky karma 👻💀 The line’s a horror show before you even get to the drive-thru! #W#WendysxWednesdayH#HauntedDriveThruL#LineCuttersBewareN#NorwalkPopUpSpookySeasonStartsNow #wednesdaynetflix #wednesdayaddams #wendys
A Pop-Up Premiere with a Sinister Vibe
To kick off the campaign, Wendy’s transformed a Norwalk, California drive-thru into a macabre carnival. Attendees waited in hours-long lines, many sharing their experiences (and sauce hauls) across TikTok and X. The gothic packaging, mystery sauces, and ominous Frostys lit up timelines nationwide.
“Wendy’s and Wednesday are both known for challenging expectations with a mix of wit and weirdness,” said Liz Geraghty, Wendy’s International Chief Marketing Officer. “This collab isn’t just marketing—it’s darkly delightful storytelling through food.”
But while the fast-food franchise soaked up praise, the show’s lead actress found herself in a storm of criticism.
Jenna Ortega’s Viral Red Carpet Moment Sparks Outrage—and Sympathy
At the London premiere of Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 on July 30, 22-year-old star Jenna Ortega had a tense encounter with an overly excited fan. In a now-viral video posted by user @cairoswife, Ortega is seen signing autographs outside Central Hall Westminster before recoiling at a fan who shouted her name just inches from her face.
“She’s pissed off and rightfully so,” the post reads. “Screaming in her face like that is so unnecessary.”
The clip has accumulated over 8 million views and generated fierce debate across social platforms.
Fans Divided Over Her Reaction
Critics accused Ortega of being ungrateful:
- “She’s working. Most customer service jobs entail being yelled at by multiple people at once,” said @grapesremixed.
- “Don’t become a celebrity if you don’t want crazy fans and paparazzi in your face!” added @hnbcruz.
- “This is part of the job,” said @goodgirlffaith. “Let’s be a little more professional.”
But many were quick to defend her, especially those familiar with her mental health disclosures:
- “She’s IN FRONT OF YOU and can hear you clearly, there’s no need to HOWL,” wrote @mycallielog.
- “People are allowed to get overstimulated,” added @julylunaxo.
- “Literally screaming like that? Wtf is wrong with people,” asked @aliensvperstarr.
Ortega’s History with Anxiety and Fame Fatigue
In a 2023 interview on the Armchair Expert podcast, Ortega opened up about her struggles with communication and social anxiety.
“I feel like I can't always articulate things the way that I want them to… When I speak, I don't feel I can reach people.”
She echoed those thoughts in Harper’s Bazaar months later, calling the attention from Wednesday Season 1 “scary.”
“To be quite frank… I was an unhappy person. As somebody who's quite introverted, that was so intense.”
Plastic Surgery Speculation Clouds the Conversation
On top of etiquette debates, Ortega became the target of another online frenzy: plastic surgery rumors. Fans speculated that her altered appearance on the red carpet might be due to procedures like buccal fat removal or jaw filler—despite no confirmation from Ortega.
“She’s going to look like Donatella Versace,” one comment read. Others mourned her allegedly lost “natural” look, suggesting she succumbed to Hollywood’s toxic beauty standards.
Season 2: A Darker, Deadlier Wednesday
All of this controversy comes just days before the August 6 debut of Wednesday Season 2, Part 1 on Netflix, with Part 2 arriving September 3. The new season returns to Nevermore Academy, where Wednesday receives a terrifying vision: her best friend Enid may soon die.
Fresh faces join the cast—Steve Buscemi as Principal Barry Dort and Billie Piper as music teacher Isadora Capri. Returning stars include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Dame Joanna Lumley.
Ortega praised the depth of the female cast in an interview with Radio Times:
“There’s a woman for everyone… I’m really proud of how strong our female characters are.”
More Than Just a Meal
So whether you’re dipping into Grave Mistake or dissecting Ortega’s latest interview, one thing is certain: Wednesday isn’t just back—it’s everywhere. And thanks to Wendy’s wickedly clever tie-in, even your lunch break can feel like a dark comedy.
Just remember: when the sauce bites back, don’t say you weren’t warned.
