Brian and I review the first season of Showtime’s Yellowjackets!
I wrote previously about how much I LOVED Yellowjackets. I’ve promoted this show through every single one of my channels. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and now YouTube.
I sat down with Brian from the Fandom At Random Podcast and we geeked out about how much we loved this series. Check it out down below and be sure to follow the Fandom At Random Podcast. You can also find them on Instagram @brianatrandom AND @fandomatrandompodcast.
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A high school girls’ soccer team is on their way to Nationals when their plane crashes in the Ontario wilderness. The teens are forced to make some difficult choices to survive over a period of 19 months. The story follows the events from 1996 to present-day as the survivors cope with their shared trauma, while someone threatens to reveal all their secrets from their time in the wilderness. Starring Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis and Tawny Cypress while a younger cast play their teenage counterparts. Very loosely based on the story of the Andes flight disaster of 1972, where a Chilean soccer team were forced to survive harsh conditions and hardships, ultimately resorting to cannibalism to survive over a course of 72 days.
What I Thought
Although not a movie, this was such a good series I am spreading the word through the horror community. I haven’t been this excited for a show since Lost in 2004. I love everything about this series. From its grungy opening theme, to the story, the acting and the writing, which is noteworthy. Hooked from the first episode, I devoured this series in a few days and now I’m left waiting a year for the next chapter. Season two has been greenlit by Showtime and fans are excited!
The cast of characters.
Each character is meticulously crafted and perfectly cast with each actor in this series clinching it.
Christina Ricci steals every scene, as is often the case with Ricci (fabulous!). Her character, Missy, is so deliciously awkward and unnerving as her younger counterpart, Sammi Hanratty, flawlessly executes the 1996 socially inept Missy.
Melanie Lynskey is always delightful to watch. Her character, Shauna, harbors a lot of guilt over the death of her best friend, and over a dead marriage. Although seemingly the logical one, over time we learn she’s harboring more than guilt. She has her own secrets and demons. Young Shauna is portrayed by Sophie Nélisse, a Canadian Genie award winning actress for her role in the film adaptation of the best selling novel, the Book Thief- Monsieur Lazhar.
Tawny Cypress portrays adult Taissa. She’s a lawyer, she’s a problem solver, she’s running for office, and she’s experiencing problems at home with her partner and child. Taissa struggles to maintain poise while trying to keep her secrets buried. Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream 2022) plays her younger counterpart trying to maintain normality and civility, attempting a leadership role while she figures out her sexuality.
Juliette Lewis plays adult Natalie, she hasn’t fared as well as the others often turning to substances and sex to cope. Young Natalie is played by Sophie Thatcher, she’s headstrong, independent, and fearless.
Think of this like a modern-day Lord of the Flies… Only with teenage girls… and written by Stephen King. Yes, it’s THAT good.
Each episode was better than the previous. The story grew and pulled you in deeper as it progressed. The horror scenes were done exceptionally well, and every episode left my mouth agape. Whether it was from shock, or something new and juicy was revealed. This was an insanely good watch.
Final Thoughts
5/5
If you’re looking for something new and different to sink your teeth into. This is it. If you went to high school in the 90s, this is for you. If you enjoy stories like Lord of the Flies, Alive, or survival stories in general, you’ll probably enjoy this. It’s not often a series hooks me like this. It’s definitely worth the money to pay for a subscription to Showtime JUST to watch this series and I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting season two.
Where to find it
Showtime.
Photo: IMDB
Are you loving Yellowjackets? Let me know what you think/thought in the comments.
If you’d like to support my work, please consider donating to my Buy Me A Coffee below.
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