Why Yellowjackets (2021- ) is perfect for teen girls
Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Yellowjackets (2021- ) combines horror with teenage problems, redefining what it means to be a teenage drama.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
The first season of Yellowjackets (2021- ), originally released four years ago, is now currently airing its third season. This show has been growing exponentially in popularity among teenage girls, and I think there are many reasons why. When I say teenage girls, I am referring to those on the older end of the spectrum— about 16 to 19 years old. This is because, at times, the show has a bit of gore that is unsuitable for younger viewers.
Throughout the years, it has been a common insult to say that teenage girls choose to love and watch something because a cute boy is involved, not because they find the show interesting. This sentiment is the first reason why Yellowjackets (2021- ) is a unique show that breaks the barrier for stereotypical “teenage girl shows.”
The show’s plot line is split between the perspective of a group of high school girls and their later adult selves. The main characters are not some high school football players, instead, they are a varsity girls’ soccer team on their way to nationals, an achievement earned by the team’s incredible season. From the beginning, Yellowjackets (2021- ) showcases a strong sense of feminine energy, a tone that continues throughout the seasons.
On their way to nationals, the team’s plane crashes, with the varsity team, a handful of junior varsity players, the team’s head and assistant coach, equipment manager, and the head coach’s two teenage sons. In a stereotypical plot, the older, surviving male authority figure— in this case, their assistant coach, Ben —would take control of the whole group, tell everyone what to do, and make himself the leader of the girls.
Uniquely, this is not the case in Yellowjackets (2021- ). Being trapped in the wilderness has led the girls to find strength and assertiveness in themselves and amongst one another, qualities that lead to them making questionable and immoral decisions. This headstrongness also frightens the male coach, pushing him out of the group and causing him to end up isolating himself.
Another reason this show is popular with teenage girls is because it deals with issues that girls will face themselves, even if they never experience a plane crash like in the show. The scenes are littered with friendship betrayals and backstabbing tendencies, and the show puts these things into perspective and reminds us that— at the end of the day —there are bigger things to worry about.
This is an important message for teenage girls to learn because these things can often feel like the end of the world in high school and even in college. No longer keeping in touch with people you used to care about can be a bummer, but it is often for the best and allows you to grow.
Another reason this show is great for those with developing minds is because there is little to no importance placed upon looks and beauty. There is one instance where a girl becomes insecure about her looks because she develops a facial scar, but the other girls help her regain confidence, and it is never mentioned again. The girls all look very different from each other, but there is no benefit to being stereotypically “beautiful” when out in the wilderness. Instead, other traits are praised, such as being fast, smart, good at hunting, and resourceful.
While watching a series filled with everyday high school drama can be fun, this unique series is a great deviation from the norm for teenage girls. It can balance an insanely interesting plot line while developing characters and portraying life lessons through the unique experiences of the characters.