David Schwimmer returns to the small screen in Hulu’s Goosebumps: The Vanishing, playing a troubled divorced father with a dark past and even darker secrets lurking beneath his house. This new instalment is part of the Goosebumps reboot, and the trailer teases a chilling blend of mystery, horror, and nostalgia for fans of the original R.L. Stine series.
In the trailer, David Schwimmer’s character, haunted by the traumatic disappearance of his childhood friends, welcomes his two children to his old, creaky home for the summer. His greeting seems warm and innocent enough at first: “I want you to have a really fun and also safe summer out here,” he says. But his single, ominous house rule quickly casts a shadow over the idyllic family reunion: “I only have one rule: Stay out of the basement.”
The warning is far from idle. The trailer quickly escalates into a monstrous montage, showing that not only do the kids fail to heed their father’s warning, but whatever horrifying secrets the basement holds seem determined to break free. Creepy goo, ominous shadows, and unsettling imagery flash across the screen, building suspense as the children are drawn deeper into the eerie world beneath the house.
While Goosebumps: The Vanishing is tied to the rebooted Goosebumps series, this story stands out for its darker tone and deeper psychological elements. Schwimmer’s character is not just dealing with current threats but is also haunted by the unresolved mysteries of his childhood friends’ unexplained disappearances. These personal demons intertwine with the supernatural elements lurking in his home, creating a dual layer of fear—one rooted in the real world and the other in the classic Goosebumps blend of horror and fantasy.
The series offers a fresh yet familiar take for fans of the original books and past Goosebumps adaptations. Goosebumps: The Vanishing promises to balance nostalgic nods to R.L. Stine’s iconic series with new storylines that resonate with modern audiences. The inclusion of Schwimmer, known primarily for his comedic role as Ross Geller on Friends, adds an intriguing twist, showcasing his range as he steps into the role of a more complex and haunted character.
The Goosebumps franchise has always been known for blending chills with a touch of humour, and The Vanishing seems to be no different. The trailer’s intense visuals—with scenes of mysterious goo and unnerving basement secrets—suggest a thrilling ride that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Streaming on both Disney+ and Hulu starting January 10, Goosebumps: The Vanishing is set to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the spooky world of Goosebumps, offering suspense, scares, and the reminder that some secrets are best left undiscovered.
