Hilary Swank Reveals Shocking Cannibal Twist in ‘Yellowjackets’ Season 3 Finale

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[This narrative reveals significant plot twists from the eighth episode of Yellowjackets‘ third season titled “A Normal, Boring Life.”]

When it was revealed that Hilary Swank would be part of the cast for Yellowjackets, the character she would portray remained a mystery. As the third season unfolded, the Showtime series subtly suggested that a figure from their past might be tormenting Melanie Lynskey’s Shauna in the present day. For those who speculated that Swank’s character could be the grown-up version of this individual, they were correct.

In episode eight titled “A Normal, Boring Life,” Swank appeared as Melissa, a mature character according to the cast of the popular Showtime series, who interacted with the teen portrayed by Jenna Burgess in the 1996-97 timeframe. This season introduced four new characters, including Swank, following the debuts of Joel McHale, Nelson Franklin, and Ashley Sutton in the wilderness.

In season three, the character of Melissa grew more significant as she entered a unique bond with Shauna, portrayed by Sophie Nélisse. Co-creator Ashley Lyle described their connection as reminiscent of a “Yellowjackets” relationship, though ‘romantic’ might not be the most fitting term. The dynamic holds considerable energy and is indeed a relationship. Shauna was envisioned as the sun to another character’s moon, given her journey out of grief, anger, and rage following Jackie and her baby’s loss. Nélisse suggested that this teenage romance wouldn’t have a happy ending, hinting at Shauna’s inability to reciprocate love at the moment.

In the current time, adult Melissa (Swank) reappears in the narrative. Upon discovering that Melissa assumed a new identity and married Hanna’s daughter, the frog scientist character portrayed by Sutton, Shauna confronts her ex. It turns out that Melissa had staged her own death to begin anew. Melissa retorts, but Shauna believes she doesn’t deserve a peaceful life and assaults her, pinning her down and biting into Melissa’s arm. The episode concludes with Shauna holding up the bitten piece of flesh before Melissa, threatening to reveal her true identity to her family unless she eats it.

In an interview with THR, the twice-Oscar-winning actress discusses her role in the cast during the finale of season three, her confrontation with Lynskey, and sheds light on the composition of her character’s arm flesh. Additionally, she shares the reason behind Melissa’s decision to provoke conflict.

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The secret is out, you are Adult Melissa. How did this role come to you?

The producers contacted me about joining their show, and I responded by asking for more details. What they revealed was fascinating, so I enthusiastically agreed. However, I hadn’t seen any scripts or materials prior because they didn’t have anything prepared yet. They extended this opportunity to me just two weeks before we began filming.

Oh, really?

Absolutely! Just like everyone else, I was equally taken aback by the turn of events. However, it turned out to be an absolute delight, as anticipated. The actresses on this show continue to excel and enjoy their roles. Particularly Melanie, I appreciate her unconventional acting choices which add a unique charm to her performances. Not many actors can pull off such unexpected decisions, making Melanie stand out. Engaging in our back-and-forth exchanges during our scenes was genuinely enjoyable.

Were you able to discuss with Jenna Burgess the development of Melissa’s character for this season, as it appears that we’re both introducing her at different points in time?

Indeed, she had already accomplished more than I had before our encounter, which made me eager to discuss her connections with the younger individuals I will soon be portraying as their mature counterparts. Interestingly, she provided me with a wealth of information about them, essentially taking care of my homework.

Or:

Given that she was already ahead of me in terms of achievements, I was keen to learn more about her interactions with the younger individuals I’ll be playing as their elders. Remarkably, she filled me in on a lot of what I needed to know.

So they pitch you this arc. What was your first day on set like?

In episode eight, we shot scenes sequentially, which isn’t common. We filmed at Melissa’s residence, and shooting in sequence was incredibly beneficial since there was a lot of dialogue and I was resuming work after my postpartum period. My mind wasn’t functioning as well, as I hadn’t used that part of my brain for such a long time. Shooting scenes in order made it easier for me to get back into the swing of things. Moreover, having all that dialogue was fantastic because it helped me figure out who was at fault in the story.

Had you and Melanie Lynskey ever met before?

To clarify, we had no prior acquaintance. We exchanged greetings, acknowledging our shared fandom, before delving deeper into conversation. It’s an enjoyable experience when one gets the opportunity to collaborate with someone they respect.

The conversation at the table between you two seems steeped in history. Essentially, Melissa is expressing that she’s living a typical life, attending church, raising a child, and maintaining a marriage – see what I’ve accomplished for myself. However, Shauna challenges this by asserting that Melissa is deceiving and her life cannot be ordinary. Can you comprehend the reasoning behind Melissa’s choice to feign her death after rescue and start anew?

Indeed, Melissa appears to have found a way to move forward that suits her best, and it seems she’s been attempting to establish a sense of normality in her life. However, unbeknownst to her, marrying the daughter of someone with whom she has a past transgression is hardly ordinary! [Note: In present day, a tape connected to Hanna’s death continues to haunt the adult survivors.] Yet, I believe that’s her method of expressing love for this person in a manner she believes Hanna, who was harmed, would have approved. It’s her way of coping with the past. Despite her claims that she didn’t intend to fall in love with her, it seems there are deeper, unconscious forces at play that we may not yet understand.

From the wilderness, it’s clear that things are taking a turn for the worse between Melissa and Shauna. We don’t know what transpired after their rescue, but Melissa expresses that she felt like an outsider once they returned. So, I wonder what might have occurred upon their return?

It’s clear to me that she has made an effort to leave the past behind. She has the power to either dwell on the past, relive the terrible memories, or strive for healing and seek some form of reconciliation. I genuinely believe this to be true. However, I worry that when one experiences a traumatic event and starts encountering triggers, the unresolved trauma may unexpectedly surface, leaving little control over it.

Melissa claims that Shauna stirs up dramas, and there’s a reason behind all the recent incidents involving her. Naturally, we expect Shauna won’t simply accept this without a response. One might wonder why Melissa provoked Shauna in such a way?

I believe she doesn’t suspect Shauna intends to harm her, but if Shauna does attempt it, Melissa will certainly defend herself. I don’t think she’s intentionally provoking Shauna; instead, Shauna is making provocative remarks, and Melissa responds by saying something like, “Seriously? This is what you’re doing? It’s pitiful.” Essentially, Melissa is telling Shauna to mature and move past this, but Shauna counters by saying, “Not so fast. We haven’t moved on because I haven’t. There’s still unresolved trauma for all of us, and let me remind you of it.

As a gamer, when I came across a scene in the game where it hinted at an intense, brutal fight between characters, my heart pounded with anticipation and curiosity. However, when I encountered that chilling cliffhanger involving the mention of cannibalism, I must admit, I was left feeling a bit uneasy and on edge, eagerly waiting to unravel the mystery in the next chapter.

I hadn’t realized that would occur as I hadn’t taken the time to read through the script before signing up. When I finally did read it, I was struck by the fact that these individuals seemed emotionally immature. Their behavior resembled that of a two-year-old: they acted out aggressively, such as threatening to bite, in an attempt to get attention or make others comply.

When filming that fight scene, did you do your own stunts?

Absolutely, we completed every task assigned. It was necessary to have someone present for insurance reasons. Often, they also provide a stunt person to ensure energy levels remain high and dialogue can be delivered effectively. To clarify, we were indeed performing them. We managed to finish in just one day. After that, cleaning up the set, filming from various angles, and re-shooting were required to complete the task entirely.

What was a highlight of filming that fight sequence?

I find that the best aspect of physical activities is their ability to provide a refreshing contrast when there’s too much intellectual conversation. Action and drama tend to stay in their respective domains. But when they coexist in the same setting, it’s delightful because sometimes I long for dialogue amidst action, and other times I crave movement during prolonged dialogue sessions. It’s a harmonious blend.

The altercation concludes when Shauna bites into Melissa’s arm, forcing her to the ground and insisting that Melissa consumes her own tissue. What material comprised Melissa’s arm?

It seems like you might have been referring to the texture as being similar to silicone. If I’ve misunderstood and you were describing the taste instead, let me clarify – you mentioned it tasted like silicone. If you had intended for it to taste like flesh, I apologize for the confusion. Is that more clear now?

In the second season, there was a scene where the characters discussed consuming Jackie (portrayed by Ella Purnell), but her character’s body was actually made of jackfruit, which they humorously referred to as “Jackie fruit.” However, many found this rather unsettling and ended up feeling queasy.

Absolutely, being vegan means substituting animal products like chicken with plant-based alternatives such as jackfruit. In my case, I used a silicone substitute instead of actual meat. I’m thrilled about this because I enjoy eating jackfruit a lot and didn’t want to compromise on that delightful experience!

At the close of this episode, Shauna utters “Eat it,” to which you respond, “What on earth?!”. The argument between you two seems to have intensified so suddenly. One might wonder what Melissa is contemplating at this point in the storyline.

It seems to me she might be saying something like, “I assumed everything was in the past. I can’t fathom why you’re acting this way now. It’s astonishing that even after all this time, you’d show up here and cause such a commotion by biting my arm.” In simpler terms, she might be wondering, “What on earth is happening?

How did you feel when your presence shifted the discussion on Yellowjackets and the unknown versus the explainable? Given that you joined the series now, what were your thoughts on the unresolved mysteries?

Despite wrapping up those storylines, there remains a multitude of unresolved questions. It’s always intriguing how fresh plotlines can emerge, making it exciting. In the early stages, numerous young women were involved in accidents, offering ample scope for diverse narratives. This is quite unusual to have such a wealth of narrative possibilities. However, I don’t believe that all the questions will be answered. I suspect viewers will reach the finale thinking, “What?!” because even I was left wondering, “What?!” And remember, I’m part of the show itself.

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Starting this Friday, Season Three of Yellowjackets can be streamed on Paramount+. Additionally, it will have a linear broadcast every Sunday at 8 p.m. on Showtime. Keep up-to-date with our season analysis and interviews by following along with THR’s coverage.

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2025-03-28 19:55