Buffy raised generations of us from the ’90s, and her power on-screen is just as relevant today

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The very first scene of Buffy the Vampire Slayer starts with a blonde girl entering a deserted building with a boy. Normally, that situation would be terrifying – and horror movies have taught us to expect the worst. But the show immediately subverts those expectations. It turns out the boy is the one who ends up dead, stuffed into a locker! The message is clear: never underestimate a girl.

This paved the way for a teen show that challenged expectations, broke molds, and boldly featured a strong female lead, directly confronting traditional power structures. That show introduced us to Buffy Anne Summers.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer first aired in 1998 and, like characters such as Disney’s Mulan and Lisa Simpson, its main character, Buffy Summers, became a feminist role model for many millennials before we even understood what that term fully meant. It’s no surprise those old VHS copies of Buffy were watched so many times, and why the show remains a beloved comfort watch for many almost three decades later.

I’ve always loved how vampire stories, and horror in general, can really help us understand what’s going on around us. It’s cool because everyone experiences life differently, especially womanhood, and it’s important to remember that. For me personally, Buffy has been a really powerful show, and I know it’s resonated with so many others in different ways.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was surprisingly complex. The show used obvious metaphors – like a high school built on the entrance to hell – to explore relatable teenage experiences. Everyone can understand that feeling of everything falling apart, whether it’s a fight with a friend, heartbreak, or just feeling like an outsider.

Buffy, a seemingly ordinary girl, managed to find her own identity and make a difference, both at Sunnydale High and in the wider world, inspiring many along the way.

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Buffy was chosen for a specific purpose, practically born to do it, and was exceptionally good at it. Despite this, she constantly faced a group of older, often rigid men who tried to control her, second-guess her decisions, and undermine her authority. Does that sound like a situation you’ve seen before?

Buffy finally told everyone exactly what she thought. She understood that their need to control her came from their own weaknesses, not from anything she did or lacked. Watching Buffy confidently embrace her strength and trust herself, even when others doubted her, inspired girls everywhere.

Buffy wasn’t just courageous and powerful; she was also open with her feelings and wasn’t afraid to show vulnerability. She briefly feared that her strength might make her cold and unfeeling, but a journey into the desert – aided by a magical gourd and a rather unusual ritual – proved that she was, at her core, loving. She realized that embracing her emotions was actually a source of strength, not weakness.

It’s common to be made to feel like our emotions are a problem. We’re often labeled as overly sensitive or dramatic, and sometimes our feelings are dismissed as simply being due to hormonal changes or labeled as ‘hysterical’.

But Buffy knew: “My emotions give me power. They’re total assets.”

Buffy captured the experience of feeling like an outsider and searching for where you belong. Many viewers, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, connected with this feeling on a deeper level. The close relationships within the Scooby Gang felt like a chosen family, particularly highlighted when they supported Tara and her family. Buffy’s revelation of being a Slayer to her mother felt like a coming-out story, and the intense connection between Buffy and Faith was also significant. It might have taken a while to fully understand why these elements resonated, which is why so many people cherish re-watching Buffy again and again.

Whether you loved or hated how the show continued after its incredible fifth season finale (though, honestly, if you don’t enjoy the “Once More, With Feeling” episode, we might have to agree to disagree!), the final episode, “Chosen,” from season seven perfectly captured the show’s enduring impact.

Buffy realized that to defeat the biggest threat, she had to break the old rule about ‘The Chosen One’ – a rule created long ago by men. By doing so, she hoped to inspire women and girls to unite and create their own future.

Honestly, hearing her say “My power should be our power” gave me chills! She explained that from now on, any girl who could be a Slayer, will be. Every girl with the potential for that strength, that ability to fight back, will have it and will rise up. It’s not just about her anymore, it’s about all of us.

“Slayers, every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?”

In 2026, it feels like a message needed more than ever. And it’s almost as if she knew…

You can now watch all episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Disney+. Plus, a new series continuing the story with Sarah Michelle Gellar reprising her role is currently being developed.

In honor of International Women’s Day 2026, we’re showcasing some of our most beloved female characters from television. Stay tuned throughout the rest of Women’s History Month for more details and features!

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2026-03-08 12:20