Netflix’s The Body: A Queer-Inspired Spiritual Successor to Jennifer’s Body

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The popular 2009 movie, Jennifer’s Body, is getting a sequel as a new teen series on Netflix. Although the film initially received negative reviews and wasn’t successful in theaters, it has since gained a devoted following, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

Both Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried are interested in returning for a sequel to Jennifer’s Body, and a second film is becoming a real possibility. Writer Diablo Cody is currently working on a script, which is encouraging news. However, the movie hasn’t been officially approved yet, and even if it is, it will likely be a couple of years before it hits theaters.

Good news for fans of Jennifer’s Body – a new TV show, The Body, is coming soon to keep them entertained while they wait for a potential Jennifer’s Body 2. This adds to the streaming service’s growing collection of horror and thriller series.

Quinn Shephard’s new 8-episode series is heavily inspired by the movie Jennifer’s Body and is sure to be a hit with LGBTQ+ viewers.

The Body Sounds Like The Perfect Spiritual Successor To Jennifer’s Body

The Netflix film The Body centers around a group of high school dancers whose team initiation takes a dark turn, resulting in disturbing visions and widespread panic in their town. Though the stories differ greatly, The Body and Jennifer’s Body will explore similar ideas and use comparable filmmaking techniques.

Many people recognize Jennifer’s Body for its suggestive content, and the creator of The Body has stated that the new show will be similarly provocative, resembling an erotic thriller.

There’s a subtle queer subtext to Jennifer’s Body. While Quinn Shephard hasn’t directly said if The Body will feature sapphic relationships, it likely will, at least in part, due to the films that inspired it and the fact that many students at Catholic all-girls schools identify as bisexual or lesbian.

As a movie fan, I’m really intrigued by the new Megan Fox film. It seems to tackle some pretty heavy stuff – specifically, how society tries to control young women and their sexuality. The plot, involving an assault and a ritual needing a virgin, definitely suggests that. And from what I’ve gathered, the director, Shephard, is also hinting at similar themes in her show, The Body, which focuses on Catholic teens. It’s no secret the Catholic Church has historically been critical of women expressing their sexuality, so it feels like both projects are going to really dig into that complex issue.

Shephard stated the show will be inspired by teen movies from the 1990s and early 2000s. It will strongly resemble Jennifer’s Body in both its look and overall feel.

The Body Creator Will Take Direct Inspiration From Sapphic Fan-Favorite Films

Beyond the show’s location, speculation that The Body features same-sex attraction comes from the creator’s past work with LGBTQ+ characters and the films that influenced her. She’s stated that Carrie, Jennifer’s Body, Heavenly Creatures, and Mean Girls were all inspirations (according to Tudum). These movies are popular within the LGBTQ+ community due to their subtle queer themes.

While Carrie doesn’t explicitly address LGBTQ+ themes, it explores feelings of being different and hiding one’s true self, which resonate with queer experiences. Mean Girls, on the other hand, is often seen as having strong LGBTQ+ undertones, with the close bonds between some of the girls suggesting romantic connections. One character, Janice, is openly lesbian.

The relationship between Needy and Jennifer in Jennifer’s Body strongly suggests a lesbian subtext, serving as a symbolic representation of same-sex attraction. Similarly, Heavenly Creatures directly portrays a romantic connection between two girls. The only film mentioned as inspiration that doesn’t focus on a lesbian relationship is Mean Girls. Because all the other films influencing The Body center around women loving women, it’s a highly recommended watch for LGBTQ+ viewers.

What Is The Status Of Netflix’s The Body?

If you’re interested in the Netflix series The Body, you’ll be happy to know the full cast has been revealed. The official The Body Updates Twitter account also announced that filming finished on February 22, 2026.

The show is planned for release this year, though we haven’t confirmed an exact date. Current estimates suggest it will likely premiere in the last three months of the year, allowing the team time for final edits. Fortunately, the post-production process should be relatively straightforward, as it’s a psychological drama and fun thriller, rather than a special effects-heavy fantasy or science fiction series.

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2026-04-13 01:39