When “Jennifer’s Body” was released in 2009, most of us were barely old enough to have begun writing in cursive, let alone watch a rated R movie. If you were like me, you would have snuck in a few peeks every time you came downstairs to “go to the bathroom” while your parents watched the film in your living room. The movie is rated R for restricted audiences because some minds cannot experience films of that nature yet. Much like our young minds, the minds of many others were not ready for this movie.
It was not until recently that this film began to be interpreted the way the director intended it to be. “Jennifer’s Body” is not about some stuck-up popular girl who happened to befriend the loner out of pity; it is a feminist masterpiece. Unfortunately, this movie slipped under the radar because men believe it was meant to appeal to them. In 2009, people would have described “Jennifer’s Body” as a sex-driven film meant to appeal to teenage boys, and because of that, the movie did not receive half of the recognition it deserved.
This movie is about revenge. Jennifer was meant to be sacrificed by the band Low Shoulder, but she turned into a succubus because she was not a virgin. Jennifer’s punishment can be viewed as a way to make women want to remain chaste, like, “Hey, if you’re a virgin, at least you won’t turn into a succubus.” But instead, the director uses this as a way for Jennifer to take her power back. Jennifer preys on the flesh of men because of how poorly they treated her. Kind of badass.
The director chose Megan Fox to play Jennifer for a reason. She knew that she could lure men into watching this film if she made the main character the female sex symbol of their generation. Then only to find out that their sexist views would be thrown in their face. But once they were in the theater, they would have to stick to the movie outright?
Not to mention, many have made the connection between “Jennifer’s Body” and the #MeToo movement. Especially since Needy took matters into her own hands and got revenge on the members of Low Shoulder at the end of the film. While Jennifer was not able to get revenge herself, she was avenged by her best friend. Though nothing could be done to give Jennifer closure, besides her death; Needy avenging her represents social change. It shows that despite trying to conceal what has happened, the truth will always surface, and justice will be served.
If you ask me, “Jennifer’s Body” was just ahead of its time. We were not ready for the hard balls this movie threw at us in 2009. But now, we can appreciate it for all its glory.