Christina Ricci is Misty in
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Early Reactions to “Yellowjackets” Season 2: Brilliant Performances, Abundant Thrills, & Completely Unhinged

March 17, 2023
By The Credits

Critics are starting to buzz with the first reviews for season two of Yellowjackets, and for fans of Showtime’s phenomenally effective thriller, the buzz is very good indeed. The creative team behind the stellar series, led by creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, had the difficult task of avoiding the sophomore slump for a show that was just about flawless in its first run. Then there was the cast, led by a slew of gangbuster performances from Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Tawny Cypress, and more, tasked with teasing out characters who shocked us in the first season and would be arriving a little less mysterious in the second season. According to the critics, mission accomplished.

Yellowjackets is more than just a thriller; it’s equal parts survival epic, a coming-of-age drama, and a psychological horror story. Season one managed this medley of genres to great effect, brought off by stellar performances from an ensemble of incredible actresses and some ace directing. Season two dives deeper into the horrors of the past, when the titular Yellowjackets (a girl’s soccer team) crash-landed in the Canadian wilderness and had to do the unthinkable—some of them becoming the unthinkable—to survive.

Season two promises to answer some of the riddles of the first season, including what exactly happened in the frozen Canadian forest all those years ago and why those events have come back now to haunt the survivors. Season two also introduces some surviving Yellowjackets that we didn’t follow in season one, while adding new characters, like Walter (Elijah Wood) to the mix. As Walter said to Misty (Christina Ricci) in a teaser for season two, “Kidnapping, cults, death—your friendships are a little more complicated than most.” You don’t know the half of it, Walter—and neither do we!

The returning cast includes the aforementioned Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, and Tawny Cypress. Newcomers joining Wood are Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under, Servant) and Simone Kessell (Obi-Wan Kenobi).

Let’s take a peek at some of the early reviews so far. Yellowjackets season 2 hits Showtime on March 24.

For more on Yellowjackets, check out these stories:

“Yellowjackets” Season 2 Trailer Teases One of TV’s Best Thrillers

Bzzzz: “Yellowjackets” Adds Simone Kessell as Adult Lottie Matthews

Featured image: Christina Ricci is Misty in “Yellowjackets.” Courtesy Showtime.

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The Credits

The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.