Jennifer's Body, 11 Years Later

“You’re eating people!” “No, I’m eating boys”.

Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, mental health

(SPOILERS AHEAD)

Devious marketing and feminist symbolism dripping in 2000s flair, Jennifer’s Body is a film to behold. Coincidentally, it also turns 11-years-old this September. The film follows Anita “Needy” Lesnicky and Jennifer Check (played by Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Check), childhood best friends who have grown starkly different over the years. One night, at a rock show, a satanic band attempts to sacrifice Jennifer for a ritual. However, it goes awry when they realize after the fact that she is not a virgin. Thus, she becomes possessed, having to eat boys in order to keep her immortal glow. Her hunger for male blood is a manifestation of her trauma, the loss of self and identity (and all other collateral symptoms) exemplifies a paranormal dramatization of how it feels to be made so vulnerable. Jennifer’s deterioration following the event shows how one may either retaliate against those who are similar (in biology) to one’s abusers or, on the other side of the spectrum (though potentially in tandem with the former), one may become dependent on those who look similar to one’s abusers. This is why Jennifer develops even more of a hatred for men while also needing to feast on them in order to stay youthful, full of life, and powerful. 

The film plays on the concept of virginity, female purity, and sexuality, as well as the deterioration of one’s mental health when it comes to sexual trauma, codependent friendships, and revenge.

Seyfried’s character “Needy” develops codependence to Jennifer as well, Jennifer’s trauma materializing within Needy as well. This shows the intersection of empathy and the difficulty of understanding one’s trauma. Needy wanted to be there for Jennifer while also protecting those she was hurting, which lead to Needy eventually killing Jennifer. She could not stop it anymore, Jennifer’s grief took a toll on Needy’s well being, eventually landing her in a toxic inpatient program. One theory may say that Jennifer was just an iteration of Needy’s own trauma and growth, and Jennifer was but a figment of her own processing. This may not be true, but it could explain how Needy deals with themes throughout the film. At the very least, it chronicles the importance of solidarity and understanding through healing. 

The marketing of the film was also brillant. It drew teen boys in using the unfortunate objectification of Megan Fox, which, while tongue in cheek, made the adolescents expect a raunchy horror film with a sexualized lead. When said males ended up watching the film however, most of them were confused and/or disappointed, calling for “more boobs”, completely missing the point of the film, which is sexual trauma. Though this bred many negative reviews and misunderstood interpretations of the film’s goal, the themes within this movie are not lost on the true target audience: young women. The reason this fim resonates so deeply 11 years later is due to the fact that it is relatable and well-executed. One can relate to the fluctuation of internalized femininity in relation to desiring male acceptance while also deeply hating the institutionalized sexism that plagues women and many others while growing up (and years henceforth).

With all of that on the table, let’s now examine the soundtrack. From Florence and the Machine’s “Kiss with a Fist” to Panic at the Disco’s “New Perspective”, this album is drenched in 2000s teenage angst. In order to fuse this sound with “modern day” music, elements of 2010s and 2020s angsty/emotional music were placed into the Jennifer’s Body in 2020 playlist. Princess Nokia, Car Seat Headrest, Slayyyter, and Mannequin Pussy are a few of the artists selected to show how this film may have sounded if it came out today. 

Overall, this film is a brilliant piece of art. Regardless of whether it is deemed a B-Movie or a comedy, this film knew what it was doing!! And the soundtrack plays an important role in this film’s impact. Enjoy the playlist and eat some boys!!!!