Not long after she rose to prominence thanks to her role in 2007’sTransformers,Megan Foxstarred in what is widely regarded asone of the most important feminist horror films of all time,Jennifer’s Body. After becoming possessed by a demon when a rock group tries to sacrifice her in exchange for fame and fortune, Fox’s Jennifer Check uses her sexuality to lure unsuspecting high school boys into her clutches so that she can eat their flesh. It’s a film that’s flush with themes of female empowerment, friendship, bodily autonomy, sexual freedom, and nowyou can stream it for free onTubi.
Directed by Karyn Kasuma from a script by Diablo Cody,Jennifer’s Bodyalso stars Amanda Seyfried as Anita “Needy” Lesnicki, Fox’s best friend who serves as narrator of the film, recounting Check’s gruesome actions right up until the very end. Produced on a budget of just $16 million,the film failed to make an impact at the box office,earning just $31.6 million in receipts. It wasn’t exactly a hit with critics at the time, either, though some – such as Roger Ebert – recognized its brilliance, noting in his review that the movie"isn’t your assembly-line teen horror thriller."
Jennifer’s Body
Over the last 15 years, however,Jennifer’s Bodyhasbecome a cult favoriteamong feminists and horror aficionados, who, like Ebert, have since realized that it’s more than just your garden-variety slasher film. Thanks to cultural events, including the resurgence of the #MeToo movement in 2017,many have taken a second look at the movie, its subtext, and Cody’s script – which brings to lighthow women are often viewed as nothing more than meat in the eyes of men, put on earth to service their own needs and desires. By centering on a woman who uses her sex appeal to fight back against the patriarchy – albeit with her teeth –Jennifer’s Bodyturns the tables on conventional horror tropes to deliver a film that was ahead of its time in many ways,and one that would surely find greater success if it were made today.
History Repeats Itself for Megan Fox
Fox is back in a familiar position in 2024, starring in the sci-fi thrillerSubservienceas Alice, an AI fembot whose responsibility it isto be at the beck and call of a man in need of a housekeeperafter his wife becomes sick. Of course, she eventually becomes self-aware. Heaven forbid he does the laundry himself, right? As with her 2009 horror movie, Fox’s new filmisn’t being well received by critics. Though many are praising her performance (as they did withJennifer’s Body), they’re also calling the film a predictable outing that adds nothing new to the genre. Sound familiar? It should,because much the same was said 15 years ago about her now-classic feminist feature.
Jennifer’s Body Writer Wants to Do a Sequel
Diablo Cody reveals on a recent podcast her desire to revisit Jennifer’s Body: “Yes! I wanna do a sequel.”
It definitely seems as ifhistory is repeating itself for Megan Fox, though only time will tell ifSubserviencewill get the same treatment down the line in retrospective reviews that herald it as another feminist classic that puts a spotlight on what evil lies in the hearts of men,only for the tables to be turned on their dark urges. For now, check out Megan Fox inJennifer’s Body, which isstreaming for free on Tubi.
