“Lord of the Flies” inspired this series as did the 1994 film “Heavenly Creatures,” which starred one of the show’s actresses
A tense and intriguing Final Jeopardy clue greeted contestants on Thursday, July 3, 2025, with a nod to classic literature and cinema. The category for the evening was “TV,” and the clue read: “Lord of the Flies inspired this series as did the 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, which starred one of the show’s actresses.” This clue sent contestants deep into pop culture history, combining elements of a renowned novel, a chilling movie, and a groundbreaking television series.
What is Yellowjackets?
Yellowjackets debuted in 2021 on Showtime, blending survival horror with psychological drama. The creators of the series cited both William Golding’s 1954 novel Lord of the Flies and Peter Jackson’s 1994 film Heavenly Creatures as major influences. Lord of the Flies offered the foundational premise of young people descending into chaos when isolated from civilization, while Heavenly Creatures provided a psychological lens into teenage friendships that spiral into violence and delusion.
Both works explored the thin line between innocence and brutality, a theme that Yellowjackets adopted wholeheartedly. The series tracks a girls’ high school soccer team whose plane crashes in the wilderness, forcing the survivors to fend for themselves over an extended period. As in Lord of the Flies, alliances fracture, primal instincts emerge, and societal norms disintegrate. This raw survival aspect became the show’s heartbeat.
Connection to Heavenly Creatures and Casting Links
Heavenly Creatures starred Melanie Lynskey as Pauline Parker, a teenager who, along with her friend, committed a notorious murder in 1950s New Zealand. Lynskey later became a lead actress in Yellowjackets, playing the adult version of Shauna, one of the former soccer players grappling with the trauma of the past. This casting created a direct link to Heavenly Creatures beyond thematic inspiration, weaving the legacy of the film into the show’s DNA.
The film’s exploration of obsessive friendships and dark fantasies paralleled the psychological layers in Yellowjackets. While Lord of the Flies provided the setting of a society breaking down in isolation, Heavenly Creatures influenced the intense, sometimes disturbing, emotional bonds between the characters, adding a unique psychological horror to the narrative.
Critical and Audience Reception
From its premiere, Yellowjackets drew critical acclaim for its compelling mix of survival drama, horror, and coming-of-age story. Critics praised its nonlinear storytelling, weaving together the 1996 crash timeline and the survivors’ present-day lives as adults. Viewers were captivated by the performances of the ensemble cast, especially Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, and Tawny Cypress, each portraying women with haunted pasts.
The show’s success extended to awards recognition, with nominations at major television awards for acting, writing, and drama series categories. Its appeal grew through word of mouth and streaming platforms, building a dedicated fanbase eager to theorize about the show’s mysteries, including the fate of certain characters and the true nature of the events in the forest.
Legacy of Literary and Cinematic Influences
By drawing on Lord of the Flies and Heavenly Creatures, Yellowjackets crafted a unique identity that paid homage to its inspirations while creating something entirely its own. The series pushed boundaries for female-led ensemble casts in horror and survival genres, breaking stereotypes about women’s roles in such narratives and offering a complex look at trauma, morality, and memory.
Its ability to balance dark humor, genuine horror, and profound drama set it apart from other shows in the crowded streaming landscape. As a result, Yellowjackets emerged not just as a critical darling but as a cultural phenomenon, continuing conversations about how past media can inspire new stories that resonate with modern audiences.
A Thought-Provoking Clue with Layers of History
Thursday’s Final Jeopardy clue showcased how television often builds upon existing literary and cinematic works to create something fresh yet familiar. Contestants who recognized the connections between the survivalist themes of Lord of the Flies and the psychological complexities of Heavenly Creatures were able to land on the correct response: Yellowjackets. The clue exemplified the show’s rich tapestry of influences, highlighting how storytelling across decades can intersect to produce television that is both haunting and unforgettable.