Jessica Jones; not your average Marvel hero
Marvel’s Jessica Jones is the latest instalment in Netlflix’s Original Marvel series. The series follows a young former superhero, currently running a private investigation office, Alias Investigations.
Marvel’s Jessica Jones is the second of five planned Netflix shows that are part of the wildly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Starring Krysten Ritter in the titular role, the heroine is Ritter’s first take in a dramatic role. Prior to the series Ritter had established herself as a comedic actress, leading critics and comic book fans to be sceptical as to whether the role was right for her.
Fortunately their doubt was stomped out. Within the show’s opening sequence, Ritter seamlessly portrays the hard-boiled P.I.
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Early on in the series it is established, that Jones is not to be considered a typical super hero. After suffering a traumatic kidnapping by villain Killgrave (Doctor Who’s David Tennant), Jones suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. This leads the character’s flaws to be revealed. Jones drinks heavily, lacks any graces and social cues, and is downright unpleasant.
The central plot of the show follows Jones as she comes to terms with Killgrave’s reappearance in her life and braves her PTSD in order to stop him.
What stands out uniquely is the show’s identifying tone as neo-noir inspired. Camera angles are often shot from tilted low angles, and streets are usually wet. This is all done intentionally to tie in with the mystery surrounding Jones’ investigation into Killgrave.
While co-existing in the same shared universe as the big Marvel movie characters, the show makes only a few passing nods to any of the Avengers. Jones does, however, makes more explicit references to the other Marvel Netflix Series (2015’s Marvel’s Daredevil, and the forthcoming Marvel’s Luke Cage and Marvel’s Iron Fist).
All 13 season one episodes are available for streaming on Netflix. Ritter will reprise the role of Jessica Jones in the mini-series team-up The Defenders, after Luke Cage and Iron Man complete their respective first seasons.
