Watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer 25 years later, Before Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, there was another American vampire-themed show in the 90s. Honestly, it set the stage for every teenage supernatural show and movie. And that was Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Starring every 90s kids’ crush, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers who was, well, a vampire slayer, also known as the “Chosen One”. Buffy and her friends a.k.a the Scooby Gang fought against vampires, demons, and all things supernatural. Week after week, fans tuned in to watch Buffy’s adventures, got invested in romances, wished to attend Sunnyvale High School and of course, became a part of the Team Angel vs Team Spike debate.
The show is legendary in its own right and won the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Buffy The Vampire Slayer continues to remain a fan favorite. But 25 years later, how well does the show hold? Read on to find out!
Feminism
In an era where the pretty blonde in horror movies would end up dead, Buffy turned out to be a breath of fresh air, since the protagonist was a fighter who defeated monsters daily. And she did it all by still embracing her feminine side. This is extremely relevant because to date the same stereotype continues to exist, even though Buffy made a hell of a difference in changing the characterization of the pretty girl. It gave the message to every female that there is nothing wrong with you fighting wrong while still wanting to look fabulous.
Life Lessons
Buffy was never shown to be a perfect character. She made mistakes, sometimes grave ones, and continued learning from them and fixing the situations. There were various lessons for teens, like Angel turning into a monster after Buffy loses her virginity to him, which signified how aloof boys can be after sex, even when it is a girl’s first time. Or when Buffy has to take up a job and give up on college to pay the rent and take care of her sister brought in realism to the show, because it showed life is not perfect and sometimes, you need to take certain decisions for the betterment of others around you.
Representation
With the LGBT community still fighting for their rights around the world, the show focussed on the relationship between Tara and Willow, which opened the doors for the representation of same-sex relationships. At the same time, the show is critiqued for not representing people of color and lacking ethnic diversity for six seasons. Back then, shows were segregated in either all-black or all-white. While that has changed over the years, it does feel like quite a stark contrast compared to today.
Teamwork
It was both refreshing to see that a badass vampire slayer always worked with her team. The Scooby gang never left her side. Unknowingly this taught the viewers teamwork— even the biggest hero needs and performs well with their team. At the same time, it was highly realistic too. You cannot do everything by yourself. Sometimes you need help and there is nothing wrong in asking for it.
Fashion
Buffy the Vampire Slayer was known for its fashion back then and looking at the show today, the outfits are in vogue, thanks to Cynthia Bergstrom, the costume designer. Buffy’s style during the action-packed scenes could be defined as rocker-chic, so thin camis were paired with leather pants and ankle-length boots. The costumes had to be practical since the character was, well, a vampire slayer. But Bergstrom makes it a point to add a feminine touch to the look. The overall vibe was to create something timeless.
Therefore, Buffy’s Moto jackets are still a wardrobe staple and can be paired with any item in your closet. And since the 90s fashion is making a comeback, you can buy leather mini skirts and babydoll dresses. Additionally, sequined tank tops and tight slip dresses are also a part of Buffy’s wardrobe, because she was a high school student after all. And faux fur on coats is also becoming increasingly popular which was a Buffy favorite. PS: do not forget the boots!
Team Angel Vs Team Spike
Even if you never watched the show, you must have heard of the two male characters, Angel (David Boreanaz) and Spike (James Marsters). The love triangle between Buffy and the two vampires was well-known to everyone. While fans voiced their strong opinion over who Buffy should end up with, the ending surprisingly had Buffy remaining single.
Things have not changed. New viewers who have been sucked into the world of Buffy have also chosen sides and debated heavily over the romance of a show that ended 25 years ago. Sarah’s 12-year-old daughter has joined Team Angel! Whether it was the insane chemistry Sarah shared with her co-actors or how engaging the show was, old and new fans continue their debate, citing character development or negative traits to prove their point. Looks like this will remain a never-ending debate for further generations too.
Conclusion
It can safely be said that Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the course of teenage television. Surprisingly, a lot of its morals, lessons, and fashion still stand relevant in today’s time. Of course, every show has its flaws and Buffy is no different. However, looking at the bigger picture, this vampire slayer continues to be an inspiration and a cultural phenomenon for everyone even today!
FAQs
Where can I watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer today?
The show is available on Prime Video, Hulu, and The Roku Channel via subscription.
What is Angel?
Angel was a spin-off show focussing on Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer as he embarks on a new journey in Los Angeles.
