“The Lord of the Flies but for girls” has been the premise of multiple projects in the past few years: The Wilds, Class of ‘07, and even, to a certain extent, Mean Girls. But these series all too frequently get caught up in the petty drama that most people associate with teenage girls. That’s missing the point of the entire survivor-thriller genre, which hinges on survival and power dynamics, not gossip.
In 2021, Yellowjackets managed to create a female-led survivor series that kept survival front and center while weaving in a non-linear story, a massive conspiracy, and supernatural elements. After achieving cult status on Showtime, the first season is now streaming on Netflix, opening it up to an entirely new audience. Here’s why you need to watch Yellowjackets on Netflix — and what you should know before you get started.
