So you think the Euphoria gang are TV’s most terrible teens? Well, the Yellowjackets are intent on making the antics of East Highland look like a CBeebies plot.
Sky Atlantic’s ridiculously entertaining show, which has its season one finale this week, follows the cannibalistic escapades of girls’ high-school soccer team, the eponymous Yellowjackets. On their way to a tournament, their plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness – where they are stranded for 19 months (to be fair, it took a lot less for me to flip out as a terrible teen). Lost meets Lord of the Flies meets The Craft meets Shipwrecked, how more people haven’t already binged the lot with the veracity of a hungry adolescent, is beyond me.
The show also indulges our insatiable appetite for all things mid-90s, albeit through an entertainingly messed up lens. Playing out with a split-timeline, the action is divided between 1996 and 25 years later as we follow the survivors in the present day (small spoiler: all is not well). And while the ‘90s sections do serve up some tasty helpings of nostalgia – through the fashion (think slip dresses and butterfly tops) and soundtrack (Montell Jordan, The Smashing Pumpkins, Salt-N-Pepa, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch) – some inspired casting means that the present day sections too.
Taking the roles of the grown-ups are some legitimately iconic ‘90s teen stars. There’s Wednesday Addams herself, Christina Ricci as the Yellowjackets’ terrifyingly unhinged Misty. There’s Cape Fear and Natural Born Killers’ Juliette Lewis as the rebellious addict Natalie. And there’s indie favourite Melanie Lynskey – who got made her film debut as a murderous teen in Peter Jackson’s 1994 film Heavenly Creatures – as the frustrated Shauna, dissatisfied and uncomfortable with her domestic, suburban life. (Tawny Cypress is also brilliant as the ambitious politician, Taissa).
But what were they really wearing in the ‘90s? Tuck in to find out…
SEE: What The Yellowjackets Stars Were Wearing In The 90s
Juliette Lewis and Brad Pitt in 1991
Proof that Juliette Lewis was in fact one of the coolest teen rebels of the '90s IRL (and an early adopter of matchy-matchy couples dressing), when she was 17 she started dating her Too Young To Die co-star Brad Pitt. Here they are at the premiere of A River Runs Through It in 1991.
Juliette Lewis and Brad Pitt in 1992
For the 1992 Oscars, Lewis brought new Hollywood attitude to an old Hollywood look.
Christina Ricci in 1990
Hard to believe: this little poppet goes on to become Misty. Not hard to imagine: today's Insta stars in this fringed and faux fur jacket.
Christina Ricci in 1995
A satin floral set and yellow sneakers for 15-year old Ricci wouldn't look out of place in Euphoria today.
Melanie Lynskey in 1998
Were you really a star in the '90s if you didn't walk at least one red carpet in a slip skirt and cardigan?
Juliette Lewis in 1994
For the 1994 Golden Globes, Lewis dialled up the wow factor on her minimal LBD with this beaded headpiece.
Juliette Lewis in 1994
Blondes have more fun? Not according to JL in 1994.
Christina Ricci in 1997
Flatform sandals. Baggy pants. Kitsch tote. Every Gen Z-er wants this outfit now.
Christina Ricci in 1998
At the premiere of The Opposite of Sex in 1998, Ricci proved she too knew how to add va-va-voom to an LBD, adding glam-goth black eye makeup and an embellished, vintage-style coat.
Melanie Lynskey in 2000
Getting a hint of Nensi Dojaka vibes from this semi-sheer red top.
The Yellowjackets premiere, 2021
All grown up! Lynskey, Lewis and Ricci with co-star Tawny Cypress and Showtime's David Nevins.