Netflix releases a full-length trailer for The Society. Created by Christopher Keyser, the drama series stars American actress Kathryn Newton. Last March, Netflix unveiled first-look images for The Society. Then, The Society teaser trailer was released in April confirming its May premiere date.
Inspired by The Lord of the Flies, The Society follows a group of teenagers who are transported to a place that looks just like their New England hometown, but one that’s devoid of parents. Despite the mysterious setting, the students embrace their freedom, at least until power dynamics come into play. When a group of males rise up, the female teenagers are forced to make difficult decisions while forming self-serving alliances. In July 2018, The Society was first ordered by Netflix, and the main cast was announced last November. Alongside Newton, The Society co-stars Rachel Keller, Kristine Froseth, Olivia DeJonge, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. The series is executive produced by Marc Webb, who previously directed 500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Netflix released The Society’s trailer, which features Billie Eilish’s 2019 hit “Bury a Friend.” The clip begins with narration from Newton’s Allie, who comments about a life-changing six-month transformation. After the character reflects on the past, The Society trailer focuses on the present, and how the setting isn’t anything like “home.” The female characters hope to establish a civilization, while the male characters plot behind the scenes in order to maintain control. In the trailer’s second half, the power dynamics become more prominent, as the males attempt to forcibly take control, which prompts Newton’s Allie to defend herself. By the final 30 seconds, the idea of compromise is trumped by complete chaos, resulting in the clip’s most powerful images. Check out The Society trailer below.
The Society trailer arrives just days after Netflix cancelled the comedy horror series Santa Clarita Diet and premiered the dark comedy series Bonding. On April 26, Netflix also premiered the supernatural horror series Chambers, which features an established Hollywood actress in Uma Thurman. With The Society, Netflix appears to be targeting a younger demographic, with the up-and-coming Newton leading the way. The American actress portrays Abigail Carlson on HBO’s Big Little Lies, and has recently appeared in mainstream films like Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Blockers, and the upcoming Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.
Based on The Society trailer, the series will indeed mirror the chaos depicted in the original The Lord of the Flies book and subsequent film adaptations. But Netflix subscribers are probably curious as to whether the streaming service will go all in with the inherent horror, or if the series will have more of a young adult feel. A recent feature film like Assassination Nation provided a provocative commentary about social media and morals, and hopefully The Society will similarly blend psychological horror with a smart take about the modern high school experience.
The Society premieres May 10th on Netflix.
Sources: Netflix
