David Schwimmer has long been recognized for his ability to seamlessly transition between comedy and drama, but in Goosebumps: The Vanishing—which premiered January 10 on Disney+ and Hulu—he takes on an additional challenge: horror.
The latest installment in the anthology series follows fraternal twins Devin and Cece, who are adjusting to life with their recently divorced father, Anthony (Schwimmer). As they settle into their new reality, they stumble upon a dark mystery that ties into a chilling disappearance from 1994. Alongside their friends Alex, CJ, and Frankie, they become entangled in an eerie tale that unfolds with thrills, twists, and unexpected humor.
The Appeal of Horror
For Schwimmer, the opportunity to star in Goosebumps: The Vanishing was more than just another role—it was a chance to explore a genre he had never tackled before.
“I’m a huge horror fan, but I’d never acted in a horror project before,” Schwimmer shared. “This was an opportunity to challenge myself as an actor and try my hand at something completely different—an action-comedy-horror-drama hybrid, which is rare to come by.”
Beyond the thrill of the genre, Schwimmer was drawn to the project because of his personal connection to Goosebumps: “I knew my 13-year-old would be really excited about this. And honestly, I was too.”
Finding the Right Balance
Goosebumps: The Vanishing demanded a precise balance of tones, seamlessly shifting between terror, heart, and humor. Schwimmer credits series co-creator and executive producer Rob Letterman and showrunner Hilary Winston for helping shape the performance.
“We had multiple conversations before filming about tone,” Schwimmer explains. “My instinct was to ground my character in real emotion and drama. The horror movies I grew up loving—Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining—were terrifying because the characters felt so real. They weren’t over-the-top, they were just regular people dealing with extraordinary, horrifying situations.”
The emotional core of the series stems from Anthony’s own past trauma, which directly ties into the mystery at the center of the show. “As the series unfolds, you realize everything happening in the present stems from something that happened 30 years ago, when my character was a boy. So it was really important to ground the story in real loss and pain.”
Injecting Humor into the Horror
Despite the darker themes, Goosebumps is still a franchise rooted in fun, and Schwimmer was keenly aware of how comedy could elevate the series. “I wanted to make sure the humor felt natural. Because the horror elements are so intense, the best way to counterbalance that was to underplay the comedy—throw a line away, react subtly, keep it grounded. That’s where I leaned on Rob’s direction, and he was really collaborative in finding the right comedic beats.”
The humor also plays a key role in making the show accessible to multiple generations. “It had to work for both a 13-year-old and for someone my age,” Schwimmer notes. “The key to that is the mix of comedy and action—it keeps things engaging and entertaining for everyone.”
A Fresh, Diverse Cast
Beyond its compelling story, Goosebumps: The Vanishing boasts a talented ensemble, including Ana Ortiz, Jayden Bartels, Sam McCarthy, Elijah M. Cooper, Francesca Noel, Galilea La Salvia, and Stony Blyden.
“The casting was brilliant,” Schwimmer says. “The show has such a diverse and wonderful young cast. I think that’s going to be huge because young audiences want to see themselves represented on screen.”
Horror That Feels Safe
Unlike traditional horror fare, Goosebumps has never been about gore—instead, it leans into suspenseful, eerie fun.
“That’s what I love about this series—it’s scary, but never gratuitous,” Schwimmer explains. “There are genuinely frightening moments, but you still feel safe watching it. It’s thrilling without being overwhelming, which is a really tough balance to strike, but I think we nailed it.”
Why Disney+ and Hulu Were the Perfect Fit
When asked why Goosebumps: The Vanishing found its home on Disney+ and Hulu, Schwimmer had a clear answer. “Only Disney+ could have nailed this specific tone,” he noted. “The show balances action, comedy, and real emotional stakes while delivering fun, safe frights. That’s a delicate mix, and Disney+ knows how to do it right.”
With its thrills, humor, and heartfelt moments, Goosebumps: The Vanishing is captivating both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
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