The Showtime series Yellowjackets, known for its complex portrayal of women in survival situations, draws its foundation from an unexpected source—a Clint Eastwood thriller from the early 1970s. This Clint Eastwood thriller inspiration comes from the film The Beguiled, which heavily influenced the show’s depiction of female unpredictability and the dynamic between men and women in extreme circumstances.
Clint Eastwood’s ‘The Beguiled’ Lays the Groundwork
Although best recognized for his roles in Westerns, Clint Eastwood starred in The Beguiled in 1971, which took him in a different creative direction. The story takes place during the Civil War, with Eastwood playing Union soldier John McBurney, who finds himself injured deep in enemy territory. A group of women from a southern seminary decide to take him in and help him recover from his wounds.
As McBurney recuperates, the atmosphere at the school grows increasingly tense. He becomes the focus of attention among the women, sparking infatuation and jealousy, which escalate into violence. After suffering a beating that results in a severe fall, McBurney’s situation becomes dire. Miss Martha Farnsworth, portrayed by Geraldine Page, chooses to amputate his leg under the pretense of preventing gangrene. The film’s final act is violent and shocking, directly resonating with major turning points later reflected in Yellowjackets.
Female Power and Instability Reflected in Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets builds on a tradition of exploring the theme of women behaving outside of societal norms, using pop culture influences like the film Alive and, notably, The Beguiled. Misty Quigley, played by Samantha Hanratty in her teenage years, emerges as a key figure. She adapts quickly to the new rules after the soccer team is stranded in the Canadian wilderness, showcasing how necessity and chaos influence her choices.
Like The Beguiled, males in Yellowjackets are few—men like Coach Ben, played by Steven Krueger, experience diminishing power as female-led social dynamics evolve. After a plane crash leaves Ben gravely injured, Misty performs an emergency amputation of his leg, mirroring John McBurney’s ordeal at the hands of Miss Martha Farnsworth. The true intent behind Misty’s actions is questionable—whether performed to save Ben or as a way to assert control—but Ben, just like McBurney, faces a steep decline in influence and autonomy following his injury.
Complex Relationships and Surviving the Unthinkable
Unlike McBurney, whose presence sparks romantic competition and manipulation, Coach Ben’s main goal is simply survival and finding a way back to society. However, Misty’s feelings for Ben create tension, as Ben resists her advances for personal and moral reasons. His concerns run deeper than simple refusal; Ben is pained by the situation and disturbed by what he witnesses among the girls, anticipating just how far they may have to go to stay alive.
Both stories, though set in radically different circumstances, examine the shifting power dynamics between genders when rules collapse. The unpredictability of girlhood—and its consequences—shapes the destinies of both McBurney and Ben, as they become the targets of a relentless will to survive. As highlighted in Yellowjackets, these situations prove that the façade of civility often masks a fierce determination beneath, reflecting the central themes of the Clint Eastwood thriller inspiration.
Legacy of ‘The Beguiled’ and Its Influence
For those interested in experiencing the original film that helped inspire key elements of Yellowjackets, The Beguiled is available for purchase or rental on various digital outlets. Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of John McBurney alongside Geraldine Page’s Miss Martha continues to resonate, as their performances capture the sinister undertones and escalating tension that define both the film and its modern television counterpart. The series’ weaving of influences from historical thrillers like The Beguiled and real-life survival tales positions Yellowjackets as a unique psychological drama, leaving viewers unsettled yet engrossed by its intense exploration of group dynamics and human nature.
