I’m not typically a fan of horror or teenage dramas, but when my best friend recommended Yellowjackets, I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did.
| Creators | Ashley Lyle Bart Nickerson |
| Stars | Melanie Lynskey Tawny Cypress Sophie Nélisse |
| Release Date | November 14, 2021 |
| Genre | Thriller drama |
| Run Time | 1h |
| Total Episodes | 2 |
| Synopsis Yellowjackets follows a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in a remote wilderness. The series alternates between two timelines: one depicting their harrowing fight for survival in the 1990s and the other set in the present day, showing how the survivors’ lives have been deeply affected by the traumatic events. |
The show has an undeniably fantastic premise; the first episode is riveting.
It draws you in with a thrilling start that sets high expectations for what’s to come.
However, while the show is gripping, it might feel a bit slow-paced for those who love non-stop action.
Stellar Performances & Organic Diversity
Yellowjackets masterfully blend genres, offering a mix of psychological thriller, horror, and a dash of sci-fi.
It’s the kind of cross-genre show that keeps you guessing, which kept me hooked throughout Season 1.
The show succeeds in its mysteries, unraveling layers of suspense that kept me constantly wondering, “What’s next? What now?” It’s an intense ride that makes you think.
The plot follows a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in the wilderness.
The series tells two interwoven stories: how they survived in the forest and how those traumatic events have shaped their adult lives.
This dual-timeline structure, however, is where the show falters for me.
The back-and-forth between the 1990s and the present day often feels disjointed, detracting from the overall impact of both narratives.
While the survival story is compelling, the modern-day plot doesn’t hold the same weight.
One of the show’s standout elements is the stellar performances of its cast, especially the younger actors who deliver outstanding portrayals of their characters.
Melanie Lynskey, who initially seemed miscast, grew into her role impressively as the series progressed.
The show also does an excellent job of incorporating diversity without feeling forced or overly focused on “woke” messaging.
It feels organic, a refreshing change from what we sometimes see in modern TV.
A Disappointing Decline in Quality
Season 1, in particular, was excellent. It was a mix of influences like Alive, The Craft, and The Edge, with its bizarre setting and psychological intensity.
The story of a soccer team struggling to survive in the wilderness—while something dark lurks in the woods—sets up an intriguing premise.
The suspense of whether their paranoia and hunger are causing them to imagine sinister forces or whether something genuinely supernatural is at play kept me on the edge of my seat.
However, the modern-day storyline, while necessary, often felt less captivating.
Now, as for Season 2, it’s a disappointment. Matching the intensity of the first season would always be challenging, but the writers seem to have lost the thread entirely.
They killed off interesting plotlines from Season 1, sidelined engaging characters, and made formerly compelling characters frustrating and tedious.
The pacing felt off and despite the strong performances of actors like Christina Ricci and Juliette Lewis, the modern-day plot continued to drag.
Worse yet, the writing in Season 2 felt lazy. Characters jumped to conclusions, plot points were glossed over, and any tension painstakingly built in Season 1 seemed to unravel.
Each episode seemed to get progressively worse, and by the end, I was left wondering how a show with such a brilliant beginning could fall so flat.
Yellowjackets: Season 2 Review – Should You Skip It?
If you loved Season 1, I’d advise skipping Season 2 to preserve that admiration.
There’s little payoff for sticking through the weaker second season, and it risks spoiling your overall experience with the series.
That said, there’s still hope for redemption. Showtime announced that Yellowjackets has been renewed for Season 3, but we won’t see it until 2025.
While I’m unsure, given how much Season 2 faltered, I do hope the writers can return to the gripping, intense storytelling that made the show so special in the first place.
Ultimately, Yellowjackets started with great promise but struggled to maintain its brilliance.
If you’re a fan of cross-genre storytelling with a mix of horror, mystery, and psychological drama, it’s still worth checking out—manage your expectations for the later seasons.
