Jennifer's Body 2: Director expresses interest in a sequel

Jennifer goes on the hunt for men again! 16 years after "Jennifer's Body", director Karyn Kusama expresses interest in a sequel to the horror film in an interview with Deadline. Author Diablo Cody is to write the screenplay again.

Karyn Kusama was enthusiastic:

"I know she's working on it right now, and I'm very excited to hear what comes of it. I know some of the bones of it, so I'm not going to give anything away, but it sounds fun and crazy like the first film. And I have no doubt that Diablo will do something absolutely incredible with it."

It is still unclear whether Megan Fox or Amanda Seyfried will return in their roles. However, it is possible, as Seyfried hinted at a possible sequel in March of this year.

When "Jennifer's Body" was released in 2009, the film was mainly marketed as a teen horror – a strategic mistake, as Kusama emphasizes today. The film tells the story of high school student Jennifer, who becomes possessed after a satanic ritual and begins to kill young men. However, the focus is not on the horror, but on the toxic dynamic between two young women, played by Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried.

What many did not realize at the time: Behind the bloody façade was a feminist satire on the objectification of women. It was only years later that audiences – predominantly young women and queer fans – discovered the film's true strength. On social media, "Jennifer's Body" became a symbol of female self-empowerment and was re-evaluated. Director Kusama commented:

"I'm just so grateful that the film managed to find its audience, perhaps on a different timeline than any of us might have expected or hoped for, but I'm just so thankful that the work continues to speak to people. I'm just so satisfied by that."

It remains to be seen whether "Jennifer's Body 2" will actually happen. But it definitely won't fail due to fan interest! You can watch "Jennifer's Body" on Disney+.

Why Jennifer's Body enjoys cult status today: from misunderstood horror film to feminist classic

When "Jennifer's Body" was released in cinemas in 2009, the reception was frosty. Critics derided the film as an oversexualized teen comedy and audiences largely stayed away. Today, over 15 years later, the tide has completely turned: The film by Karyn Kusama (director) and Diablo Cody (screenplay) is now considered a cult classic – especially among young women and queer viewers. But what has led to this remarkable change? Why is "Jennifer's Body" more relevant today than ever?

Marketed incorrectly – understood correctly

Perhaps the most important reason for its late success lies in its original mis-marketing. When the film was released in 2009, it was advertised in trailers and posters as a sexy teen horror that relied mainly on Megan Fox's attractiveness. The studio was aiming for a male audience that expected blood, wit and seduction.

But "Jennifer's Body" was something completely different: a feminist satire that dealt with themes of female rage, societal expectations and the sexualization of young women. The story – a cheerleader becomes a demon after a satanic ritual and takes revenge on the men who take advantage of her – was never pure horror, but a metaphorical exploration of power, friendship and identity. It was only years later, in the wake of the #MeToo movement and feminist pop culture, that it was recognized what "Jennifer's Body" really was: a film ahead of its time.

The rediscovery through social media

The film's cult status is inextricably linked to the internet. In the 2010s, young women on Tumblr, Twitter and TikTok began to re-evaluate "Jennifer's Body". Memes, quotes and scene analysis videos did the rounds – such as Jennifer's legendary statement: "Hell is a teenage girl."

Fans suddenly realized that the film was criticizing the very thing that was being used against it at the time: the media objectification of Megan Fox. Fox herself became a symbolic figure of female rehabilitation – an actress who had been reduced to her looks for years, despite playing a nuanced, tragic and angry character in "Jennifer's Body".

Social media gave the movie the audience it never got in 2009. Younger generations in particular didn't see it as an overwrought B-movie, but a clever, biting allegory on sexism and social double standards.

Feminist themes with a bite

What makes "Jennifer's Body" so special today is its dual role as a horror film and feminist parable. Jennifer (Megan Fox) is literally made into what society already sees her as through a satanic ritual: an object of desire – only this time with deadly power.

The film skillfully plays with horror conventions: Instead of the usual victim role, here the woman is the monster – but one born out of pain and humiliation. Her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) acts as a moral antithesis and shows that female relationships are not only characterized by affection, but also by competition and social pressure.

This ambivalent portrayal of female friendship and power has made "Jennifer's Body" one of the most interesting feminist horror films of its time – comparable to modern works such as "Promising Young Woman".

The rehabilitation of Megan Fox

Another key factor in its cult status is the re-evaluation of Megan Fox. In the 2000s, she was considered a sex symbol, but at the same time was mercilessly ridiculed by the press. Only in recent years, through interviews and documentaries, has it become clear how unfair and misogynistic the treatment of her was. In "Jennifer's Body", Fox gave one of her best performances – charming, vulnerable and terrifying at the same time. Today, her performance is recognized as subversive and self-confident: she plays a woman who uses her sexuality as a weapon because the world won't allow her any other power.

A movie that got better with time

Some movies age badly – "Jennifer's Body" got better. Its themes - female rage, societal control over the body, toxic friendships – are more relevant today than ever. What was considered overdone in 2009 seems surprisingly modern in 2025. Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody created a film that was too uncomfortable to be understood at the time. Today, it is a symbol of feminist cinematic art, an example of how unrecognized cinema receives its recognition late but justly.

Conclusion: From flop to feminist icon

"Jennifer's Body" is the perfect example of a film that was ahead of its time. It was ridiculed, misunderstood and forgotten – only to be celebrated later as groundbreaking, funny and socially relevant.

Its cult status today shows that true art sometimes takes time to be seen. "Jennifer's Body" was never just a horror movie about a demonic girl – it was a cry for self-determination in a world that turns women into monsters as soon as they claim power. And perhaps that is precisely the reason why it appeals to more people today than ever before.