Yellowjackets (Seasons 1 & 2)

Yellowjackets (Seasons 1 & 2) Here we go again! Another totally uninteresting, poorly written series that drags on and on, episode after episode. The characters are caricatures and the situations described are totally improbable.

It’s hardly surprising, since those paying close attention will have noticed that one of the producers is none other than director Karyn Kusama, already guilty of the abysmal failure Jennifer’s Body (2009), and who followed this up with the equally lousy Destroyer (2018). And what about the absolute rubbish Aeon Flux (2005)? Only his Girlfight (2000) stood out. I didn’t hate The Invitation (2015), unlike some, but it’s not a film I’d want to see again. Twice is quite enough! It’s the flashbacks that become unbearable after a while. It’s the same here: the repeated changes of era make the series difficult to follow and watch.

The idea and the cast are appealing, but then it goes ‘poof!’ after so many implausibilities and it’s a production that stagnates between teen movie and American drama series. It’s supposed to be about teenage girls trying to survive, so there’s bound to be cannibalism. Yes, this series doesn’t show the man-eaters until the seventh episode, if ever, for those who only want to see them for that. And it’s very often sexual. The first feast looks like an orgy. Not to mention the fact that it’s full of insipid love stories and the all-too-rare presence of Juliette Lewis, who makes you wonder what she’s doing here.

That said, one thing that kept me going was Christina Ricci! She’s incredible here. I’ve always liked her, but never really adored her, whereas here I’m absolutely crazy about her character and her acting. In fact, I’m so happy that she’s been nominated at the 2024 Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie. It’s more than deserved! It’s funny, because originally I was mainly looking for Sophie Thatcher or Melanie Lynskey. Sophie is a fabulous actress, totally different from her role in the film Heretic (2024). Her character is annoying, but her talent is irrefutable. As for Melanie, it’s regularly a pleasure to see her, but her character disgusts me to no end. As a result, it’s hard to be over the moon when I see her in this series. We’ve come a long way since Heavenly Creatures (1994). Maybe I should get into her other series like Castle Rock or The Last of Us.

I found this review: “Please save yourself the ordeal.Keep out of reach of audiences over 15.A plot that had potential, but in the space of a few episodes disappears completely because nothing makes sense. The acting borders on parody, and the choices/decisions are far-fetched. I’m not going to go any further than that, because season 1 honestly wore me out so much that I forced myself to at least see it through to the end, but… all the more so for this finale! God keep you away from it, truly!”

The pilot seemed so enticing and then it quickly becomes very boring. Lots of implausibilities and the writers clearly haven’t really experienced the 90s. Clearly aimed solely at a young teenage audience. Avoid for everyone else, I think! If I had to choose just one word, I’d say disappointment. The characters are relatively detestable and the actresses not always charismatic, apart from those I’ve already mentioned and a few exceptions. Not to mention the alternation between their teenage lives in 1996 and their adult lives, which gives the narrative a disjointed effect.

A series that drags on (there’s still no plane crash at the end of the pilot episode…) and yet baits the viewer with a few short gory passages in the forest. In fact, I can’t understand why some people who love this series would recommend it to me, thinking that I’d like it too. A real waste of time. 19 undeniably senseless episodes. The series has neither head nor tail. The characters are pathetic and incomprehensible in their structure. The pitch becomes ridiculous: you crash in a forest, but you stay there for about 19 months. Luckily, you find an abandoned house and settle there. Of course, you’re ignoring the skeleton sitting on a chair at the very top. Anyway… I’m off ! Good luck to the others !!!

Oh, I didn’t like this series. It’s either disgusting, disturbing or unrealistic. There’s too much sex and I hate infidelity stories unless they’re Adrian Lyne films or other exceptions. There are scenes of violence that go on too long. No limits, no subtle dosage. Sure, it’s Survival, but you don’t need to see it all to feel the horror of such a situation. After a certain point, it just becomes sadistic voyeurism justified by the fact that it could happen to anyone… but…No ! I don’t buy into that. Under the pretext that things have really happened, are still happening and will happen in the future, I don’t need to see this kind of series to assume that I’m twisted while pretending that I’m normal, deep down. Let’s not forget that it’s society that’s sick and we take advantage of it to make this kind of entertainment to make money on the backs of those who are going through horrors, instead of finding a way to put our world right. I found it very hard to watch both seasons of this bad psychological drama in their entirety. I certainly won’t be watching the third. I didn’t really care for any of the twisted characters. I almost ended up hating them all. The trailer is good, though.It features Veruca Salt, Blur, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and even Elliott Smith!

My Rating