By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 26 seconds ago

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an insanely popular television show for many reasons, including its stellar writing and top-notch performances from some of Hollywood’s best actors. Beyond all this, though, the show is celebrated for being a feminist masterpiece that centers on a powerful young woman fighting against powerful men who try to keep her down. In this way, Buffy succeeds as both an entertaining urban fantasy series and a provocative exploration of sex, power, and gender roles in modern society.

However, many modern critics and fans have been re-evaluating Buffy and have come to a wild conclusion: that this girl-power cornerstone may actually be a shockingly bad portrayal of women. These arguments typically claim that the show is secretly misogynistic despite its surface-level message about fighting the patriarchy. While this has changed how some fans view their favorite show, defenders of Buffy maintain that the more problematic plotlines and portrayals in the series are just a side effect of having flawed and complex characters.

The Fall Of A Feminist Icon

It’s almost impossible to discuss a critical reframing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer without discussing franchise creator Joss Whedon; after this show’s success, he became a major comic book movie director, helming two Avengers movies as well as the lackluster Justice League film. However, his career came to a screeching halt after his ex-wife Kai Cole published a letter alleging that he had cheated on her numerous times, including with unnamed actresses on Buffy. In her brutal missive, she also called Whedon out for the “hypocrisy” of his “preaching feminist ideals” while allegedly lying to his wife for a decade and a half.

Towards the end of that letter, she said that she wants “the people who worship [Whedon] to know he is human, and the organizations giving him awards for his feminist work, to think twice in the future about honoring a man who does not practice what he preaches.” Obviously, Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains Whedon’s greatest work, a work designed to be the greatest feminist show ever made. Now that its creator has seemingly been revealed as a hypocrite (one who also faced allegations of abuse on the set of Justice League), many have been re-evaluating Buffy and how its characters and plotlines may be surprisingly harmful to women.

Critics Claim Buffy Secretly Reinforces A Status Quo

On paper, a big part of Buffy’s charm is that the titular character is a rebel: she is constantly defying Giles, her stodgy watcher, with the same sass that she tosses at various evil demons. Buffy is a troublemaker who clashes with corrupt cops and an evil mayor, and she never really respects authority. This is especially true when she puts the Council of Watchers (basically, her boss’s boss) in their place, reminding them that without the Slayer, their job literally has no meaning.

However, some critics believe that Buffy actually exemplifies a status quo established largely by and for men. After all, as a sexy, thin, heterosexual blonde, the Slayer is an exemplar of what most men consider conventionally attractive. To impressionable young girls watching the show in the ‘90s, Buffy the Vampire Slayer ironically reinforced some of the lopsided beauty standards expected of women, arguably continuing a very problematic tradition perpetuated by the patriarchy this show was designed to skewer.

Does This Show Secretly Hate Powerful Women?

Additionally, beyond her surface-level rebellion, Buffy’s character is presented as the safe and palatable alternative to other women who are presented as dangerously transgressive. For example, Faith is a fellow Slayer who loves sex and partying, and the show inevitably transforms her into a murderous enemy. Willow comes out as both gay and a witch, and when she really delves into her powers, she suddenly becomes a skin-flying Big Bad that can only be talked down from mass murder by a fairly useless man (sorry, Xander fans, you know it to be true). 

What these other cases have in common is simple: women begin by embracing a hidden power that men disapprove of. They then act in selfish ways before they are vilified and then humbled: Faith serves prison time and then comes back to follow Buffy’s orders, whereas Willow rejects dark magic and becomes a loyal little Scoobie again. Each of these women is deliberately contrasted with Buffy, who constantly puts her own needs to the side for the sake of others.

Fans typically view this as a noble attribute, the same one that causes the X-Men to fight for a world that hates and fears them. But Buffy arguably spends most of the TV show named after her as a doormat for the Watchers, a group of men who essentially force her to do what they want until she finally stands up to them. In this sense, the majority of the show presents Buffy as a feminine ideal for being subservient to men and preserving their preferred status quo; Faith and Willow must eventually be fought by Buffy, someone whose line of work conveniently has her keep other women from ever getting too powerful.

Long story short? The claim is that Buffy is a show where rebellious women are tamed: Buffy by the Council, Faith by prison, and Willow by  Xander. Heck, even vengeance demon Anya is tamed by her obsession with a man, ultimately trading all of her considerable mystical abilities for a life of domestic submission.

The Argument Against Buffy’s Men

One of the things Buffy the Vampire Slayer is very good at is creating villains that fans love to hate. These foes were almost always men, which helps reinforce the feminist theme of the show: the fellows would mouth off and insult the female protagonist before she killed them. This is all part of why the show feels so empowering: what woman watching wouldn’t enjoy having the power to fight off the toxic men who are always making her uncomfortable?

The essential problem with Buffy as a character, though, is that she keeps falling in love with the most messed-up men of all. The vampiric Angel is already a redeemed mass murderer when Buffy begins dating him, and she takes him back even after he temporarily loses his soul and tries to destroy the entire world. The same goes for Spike, a notorious serial killer whom she begins secretly shagging; he goes to get his own soul back after intimately assaulting Buffy, and she proceeds to welcome him back just as she did with Angel.

There’s a rather ugly subtext here that Buffy is uncontrollably attracted to notorious murderers just because they are hot, and she takes them back after these characters commit the worst atrocities against her and her friends. Rather than painting our titular protagonist as a hero, Buffy is presented as a doormat who doesn’t hesitate to take her abusers back. This arguably sends the worst possible message to abused women who are watching the show, hoping to gain the strength to escape the people who are hurting them.

Why They’re All Wrong: It’s Complicated

Those are just a few of the reasons why many modern critics are reevaluating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Heck, we barely touched on Xander, the problematic proto-incel that Joss Whedon wrote to be his class clown self-insert character. However, there is one ironclad defense of the show and its characters that fans continue to embrace: namely, that Buffy is stronger for having flawed and complex characters.

Most of the complex aspects of Buffy herself are arguably part of the character’s evolution. Sure, she falls in love with a couple of hot murderers, but she eventually breaks up with both of them. The Slayer works for a patriarchal group of old farts, but after a few years, she makes it clear that they now have to work for her. Heck, she even bounces back from the worst self-destructive streak in human history to save the entire world from the first evil it had ever known.

If Buffy didn’t start out as such a flawed character, such evolution would have been impossible; plus, it’s worth noting that we shouldn’t hold the Slayer to higher standards than we do popular male characters. Does anyone think Walter White or Don Draper are bad characters because they are selfish and self-destructive? No, we understand that these flaws simply make them human, and that humanity makes the characters all the more compelling.

In this sense, Buffy’s flaws make her show that much more relevant: Buffy the Vampire Slayer may be a silly comedy show from the ‘90s, but it has the epic stakes and realistically damaged characters of modern prestige TV. It’s a wild combo that has helped the Slayer’s show remain a fan-favorite for decades. Now that a Buffy revival is around the corner, we can only hope the new show retains the complex characters and murky morality that made the original series such a groundbreaking pop culture phenomenon.

Reader, they cast her. The White Lotus‘ Aimee Lou Wood is set to star in a new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë‘s classic novel Jane Eyre. Wood will play the title role in the TV miniseries, which is currently being shopped to broadcasters and streamers by production company Working Title. In the novel, which is considered one of the most influential romances ever published, Jane Eyre is a woman with an unhappy past who becomes a governess for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, and gradually falls in love with him.

According to reports, the series will be adapted by Miriam Battye, who recently won a WGA Award for her work on Apple’s mind-bending hit Succession. It’s the latest in a series of high-profile projects for Wood, who earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role as the naive bride of Walton Goggins in the third season of The White Lotus. Next up, she’s set to star alongside Angelina Jolie in the comedy Anxious People, and with Johnny Flynn in the historical drama The Idiots. She’s also signed to portray Pattie Boyd, the English model and photographer who married George Harrison at the height of Beatlemania in Sam Mendes‘ wildly ambitious The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.

Has ‘Jane Eyre’ Been Adapted for the Screen?

As one of the most famous novels in the history of the English language, Jane Eyre has been adapted for both the big and small screens repeatedly. Notable silver screen adaptations include the 1943 version, with Joan Fontaine, Orson Welles, and a young Elizabeth Taylor; Franco Zeffirelli’s 1996 version, with Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt; and the most recent version, directed by Cary Fukunaga and starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. The BBC has adapted it for television repeatedly, dating back to 1956; the most recent adaptation was broadcast in 2006, with Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens in the lead roles. It has also served as the framework for a number of indirect adaptations and inspirations, including Val Lewton‘s 1943 horror classic I Walked With a Zombie and Wide Sargasso Sea, a novel written from the perspective of Mr. Rochester’s first wife, which has been filmed twice.

The new adaptation comes on the heels of Emerald Fennell‘s successful adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the only novel by Charlotte’s sister, Emily Brontë. There’s no word yet whether an adaptation of the works of Anne Brontë is in development to complete the trifecta.

A new TV adaptation of Jane Eyre is in development; no release date has yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

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Release Date

January 20, 1996

Runtime

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112 minutes

Writers

Franco Zeffirelli

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Producers

Bob Weinstein, Dyson Lovell, Guy East, Harvey Weinstein

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Published
February 24, 2026
7:42 AM PST

Jaidyn Alexis has broken her silence and reacted to Blueface and Nevaeh Akira’s recent pregnancy announcement.

RELATED: New Addition! Karlissa Saffold Harvey Reacts To Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Apparent Pregnancy Announcement

Jaidyn Alexis Breaks Silence & Reacts To Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Pregnancy Announcement

On Monday, February 23, Jaidyn Alexis took to a Twitch stream to show off her cooking skills for viewers. Apparently, amid the stream and her chat with viewers, Alexis addressed Blueface and Nevaeh Akira’s recent pregnancy announcement.

“I don’t feel no type of way,” Alexis explained. “One: because I’m not the one that has to take care of the baby… Amen. Thank you! Two: I’m so stable up here, down here, right here, like, it don’t matter to me, like, do your thing. I wish nothing but the best — to anybody, to everyone involved.”

Ultimately, Alexis explained that she’s “cool,” knows that what’s for her will be for her, and is happy that she already has her boy and her girl.

“There’s nothing outside of this house that will ever affect inside of this house,” she reiterated.

Social Media Weighs In On Jaidyn Alexis’ Reaction

Social media users reacted to Jaidyn Alexis’ reaction to Blueface and Nevaeh Akira’s pregnancy announcement in TSR’s comment section.

More On Blueface & Nevaeh Akira’s Pregnancy Announcement

As The Shade Room previously reported, on Sunday, February 22, Blueface and Nevaeh Akira took to a Twitch livestream to share the results of Akira’s pregnancy test. Ultimately, Blue ended up congratulating Akira, telling her, “Congratulations, you’re having a Blueface baby!” To note, Blue and Akira’s forthcoming baby will be her second child and Blue’s fourth.

Afterward, Karlissa Saffold Harvey took to her Instagram Story to share her reaction to the news, per The Shade Room.

“Kids are a blessing if he happy I’m happy [heart hands emoji] congratulations to them both and may God bless the baby,” she wrote at the time.

Since then, Nevaeh Akira has shared her excitement about her and Blue’s new chapter. On Monday, February 23, she took to her Instagram Story to share a few messages, expressing her bliss.

RELATED: In Bliss! Nevaeh Akira Shares A Few Messages After She & Blueface Reveal They’re Expecting A Baby

If you need a quick rich mom getup, Margot Robbie‘s latest outfit is the only inspiration you need. Her sporty half-zip pullover proves that the right sweater and jeans outfit can make you appear instantly put together. We found a similar knit style on major sale on Amazon, and it channels the same preppy-luxe vibe.

For a casual outing with friends in Paris, Robbie dressed like a French local in head-to-toe designer. She wore a black Chanel sweater, baggy jeans and pumps, along with an oversized Hermès tote bag that added an elevated twist. The outfit was understated yet undeniably classy, and it couldn’t be easier to recreate. You’ll rock this Amazon twin for errands, brunches and even Fridays at the office.

Like Robbie’s pick, this on-sale sweater features a chic quarter-zip design, ribbed material and a relaxed silhouette — three elements that make you look polished without trying too hard. Additionally, the loose fit and high neckline quietly lengthen the torso, making this sweater a flattering basic in your closet.

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Tired of boots? So is Katie Holmes. The Alone Together actress actually ditched clunky kicks for elevated slippers that have an edgy yet incredibly polished look — and we found her $920 look for much less. They’re destined to replace your winter boots, sneakers and maybe even your sandals this spring. Holmes was spotted in Los […]

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Made with a comfortable cashmere blend, this oversized sweater is buttery soft, stretchy and lightweight enough to keep you temperate during school pick-ups and grocery store runs. The medium thickness makes it ideal for year-round wear, but it’s especially perfect to throw on now as we go from winter to spring. Don’t be surprised if you live in this sweater!

Shoppers rave about this quiet luxury staple, highlighting the cloud-like comfort, flattering fit and expensive look. One wrote, “I normally shop at designer and higher-end retailers. This was as good, or better than many of them . . . looks and feels much more expensive.” They went back for other colors, and we see why!

Cashmere-blend sweaters are rarely under $50, so we see it as a sign to snag this Robbie-inspired option in black (plus a bright color for spring). Score your new everyday sweater before it sells out!

Get the Suuksess Oversized Cashmere Pullover for $38 (was $57) on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop other sweaters on Amazon and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

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In case you missed it, everyone’s wearing baby blue right now. The latest star to embrace the trend? Pamela Anderson, who recently rocked the chicest blue coat that, unlike many puffers, is unexpectedly flattering. The key lies in the cut, which hits right at the waist without overpowering her frame. A similar cropped style will […]

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HBO has delivered some of the most iconic shows on television, from Sex and the City to Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. Looking back into the archives of the premium network, there are many great shows that are just as good today as they were back then, holding up to even the newest, flashiest shows from the premium network. This is impressive since some of them cover controversial and even timely content.

Dating all the way back to 1999, these series include crime dramas, comedies, and everything in between. If you haven’t watched them yet, they’re worth checking out now, all available to stream now on HBO’s streaming arm, HBO Max. Even if you watched way back when, you’ll find on a rewatch, these shows are just as fresh and relevant today as they were when they first came out.

1

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Image via HBO

Everyone loves a good mafia-based crime drama, and there’s arguably none better than The Sopranos. Often credited with ushering in the second Golden Age of Television, The Sopranos presents like a movie but in episodic format. Tony Soprano (the late James Gandolfini) is a Mafia boss in New Jersey who meets with his psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) to help him deal with panic attacks, the result of trying to balance the stress of his job with being a good family man.

The show is downright brilliant, all its best episodes offering the elements you want in a mafia crime show, from the backdrop of New York to the colorful characters, the extreme violence, intimidating figures, and compelling storylines that keep you at the edge of your seat all the way through. With six seasons, The Sopranos is just as good today as it was back in 1999 when it helped put HBO on the map as a provider of quality TV. It has inspired so many shows that have come since.

2

The Newsroom (2012–2014)

Image via HBO

Given the current political landscape, The Newsroom is arguably more relevant today than it was more than a decade ago when it premiered. The political drama follows the inner workings of a fictional news channel, pulling back the curtain for fans to see what goes into covering breaking news stories fairly, accurately, and in a timely manner. At the heart is Jeff Daniels as opinionated anchor Will McAvoy and Emily Mortimer as his producer and former love interest.

The story, which hails from Aaron Sorkin who created The West Wing, covers all the hot topics that are still prevalent today, including trust and bias in the media, fair and accurate reporting, and balancing personal interests and opinions with those of the network, and those who run it. Sure, it’s about the interpersonal relationships, too. But that part is arguably secondary. The opening scene of the first episode, when a college student asks McAvoy in an auditorium full of people why America is the greatest country in the world, and he delivers a scathing monologue in response, sets the tone and instantly demonstrates why The Newsroom still makes sense today.

3

Silicon Valley (2014–2019)

Image via HBO

The world of tech continues to move at a rapid pace, yet Silicon Valley, which skewers it, is as fitting today as it was a decade ago. The series features parodies of some of the biggest tech corporations and personalities, in overly exaggerated, hilarious fashion. It’s centered on a young programmer trying to get his groundbreaking algorithm off the ground, only to realize he’s a small fish in a huge pond that will eat him alive. The situation is one the industry continues to face today with more consolidation, acquisitions, and few massive corporations ruling the roost.

The comedy series, which aired for six seasons, will leave you guessing who is playing a satirical version of whom, which companies are being mocked, and if the tech industry really is as it’s depicted. From incubators to corporate bosses skirting legalities to get what they want, eccentric billionaires, and nerds with brilliant minds but no business sense, it’s a window into the world of tech. All it needs is more AI, and you’d think the show was made in 2026.

4

Getting On (2013–2015)

Image via HBO

There’s arguably no medical show that doesn’t hold up today. The medical profession is pretty much the same now as it was decades ago, and certainly when this show was on the air. As a comedy, Getting On is one of the lesser known, shorter-lived ones. But it has a fantastic cast that includes Laurie Metcalf, Alex Borstein, and Niecy Nash, and places the spotlight on nurses versus doctors.

It also differentiates from others, even ones today, as it doesn’t take place in an emergency room but rather the extended care unit of the hospital. Fans of medical shows have their pick of the litter when it comes to types, from the most realistic ones like The Pitt to soapier ones like Grey’s Anatomy. Getting On fits closer in line with shows like Scrubs, and it’s just as funny.

5

Treme (2010–2013)

Image via HBO

Natural disasters don’t have an end date: they will continue to happen, ravaging towns and cities and leaving horror in their wake. When one happens, we don’t forget about it either. Treme is a drama that looks back at the months after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. But the show takes a positive spin by following the residents there who work hard to rebuild their community.

A story of people coming together that highlights the unique New Orleans culture and personalities, it’s a love letter to the city that will stand the test of time. From the musical performances to the fantastic cast, Treme received universal praise for how accurately it portrayed the city and residents. It’s a great show for those who went through it, and for those who want a better idea of the wreckage the devastating hurricane left behind and the resilience and determination it took to bring the city back to life.

6

Divorce (2016–2019)

Image via HBO

One of those forgotten comedy dramas and great HBO shows you probably haven’t seen, Divorce stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church as a couple in the middle of a divorce, navigating their complicated relationship and new lives. Divorce sadly never goes out of style, and the issues the couple deals with, from infidelity that caused the breakdown of the marriage to trying to co-parent, are still just as prevalent today as they were a decade ago when the show premiered.

The dark humor and chemistry between the leads have been praised especially, both Parker and Church wonderfully toeing the line between drama and comedy. The supporting cast is great as well, including Talia Balsam, Molly Shannon, and Becki Newton alongside Jemaine Clement, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Yul Vazquez as recurring characters. The show tackles the complexities, awkwardness, and devastation of divorce from a raw and real yet also humorous perspective.

7

The Wire (2002–2008)

The idea of the criminal justice system continuing to truck on as it intersects with everything from the government to print news media, education, and the illegal drug trade, is all part of how the world has worked for decades and continues to work today. This is at the heart of The Wire, arguably one of the best crime dramas ever on television.

Raw, real, and intense, The Wire flew under the radar when it initially aired on HBO but has since developed a cult following. Many name it among the best shows of all time, not just in its genre. It’s filled with character actors versus big-name stars, which adds to the authenticity of the show. This is amplified by the fact that the series was created by a former police reporter and the stories are loosely based on ones from his writing partner, a former homicide detective and public school teacher.

8

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

Image via HBO

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As they say, there are two things in life you can’t escape: death and taxes. Six Feet Under is all about the former, following a family that owns a funeral home. Along with dealing with death and grieving families every day, the show highlights the personal relationships among the family members, with topical issues like homosexuality, relationships, and religion, all of which continue to be hotbed topics today.

The drama is considered to be one of the best shows of all time, airing for five seasons and culminating in what many refer to as one of the best series finales ever. The cast is tremendous, with actors like Richard Jenkins, Michael C. Hall, Frances Conroy, and Lauren Ambrose, all of whom went on to have successful careers in acting following the show’s ending. It’s the type of show you could watch today and, aside from the lower production value compared to today’s flashier shows, and the fact that the known actors are much younger, it feels like it was only just made.