Kathryn Newton Stole the Show in Netflix’s The Society

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Kathryn Newton is well-versed in horror, having starred in films like Paranormal Activity 4, Freaky, and the recent Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. While she’s become known for comedy-horror, she’s a versatile actor. This is particularly evident in her role in The Society, a short-lived teen drama that reimagines the story of Lord of the Flies for a modern audience.

After achieving critical and popular success with her latest movie – earning a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – Newton is now getting the recognition she deserves for her talent in leading genre films. Her role in The Society particularly showcased her acting range, offering a nuanced and emotionally resonant performance that has helped define the darker, more confident direction of her career.

The Society Is a Modern Spin on Lord of the Flies

Initially, The Society seems like just another teen drama with a science fiction element, similar to shows like The 100 or later seasons of Riverdale. It features typical teenage experiences – crushes, parties, and the excitement of freedom when rules are gone. But the show quickly evolves into a contemporary retelling of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.

A group of students returns from a school trip to their quiet hometown in Connecticut, only to discover it’s completely empty. Trapped with limited supplies, they try to establish a new society based on democratic principles, but things quickly fall into chaos.

Although the show was initially promoted as a science fiction story similar to Lord of the Flies, it’s more accurately a teen drama about politics. While there are sci-fi aspects, like the unexplained situation of being trapped, those aren’t the central themes. Over its ten episodes, The Society really examines how easily a sense of community can break down and turn into self-preservation.

With food running low and a social order developing, the teenagers begin to seriously debate how they should be governed—because their survival truly depends on it. Cassandra (Rachel Keller), a natural leader, attempts to keep things stable by being fair and encouraging everyone to share the workload, but others rebel against what they see as too much control. The show delves into the darkness that exists within people and the risks of oppressive rule, and it also explores relevant issues of class and gender.

Kathryn Newton’s Performance Carries the Society

Given the show’s big cast, it seemed doubtful one actor could truly lead the story. But Newton proves she’s up to the task, blending humor with a surprisingly intense side. As Allie, Cassandra’s sister, she transforms from a reserved character into a powerful and even ruthless force, reminiscent of Jack from Lord of the Flies.

Okay, so I’ve been thinking about Newton’s performance, and it’s really like she’s playing two different people. Allie’s journey is huge. At first, she’s this really quiet, almost invisible character, always living in the shadow of her sister, the one everyone expects great things from. You kind of write her off as the underdog. But then, when her sister is killed, everything changes. She’s forced to step up and become mayor, and it’s amazing to watch that transformation. It’s not just a change of clothes, it’s a complete overhaul of who she is.

Allie’s leadership initially continues the policies of the previous leader, Cassandra, focusing on cooperation and community to maintain stability. However, as time goes on, this collaborative approach starts to fall apart. The murder trial of Greg Dewey, who is convicted of killing Cassandra, marks a significant shift. Allie establishes a harsh new system of justice by personally executing Dewey and creating a team to carry out future executions.

I watched as Allie became completely consumed by her position. She kept strengthening her control, even when those closest to her begged her to stop. She pushed everyone away, and sadly, that included ending things with Will, because she was afraid getting close to someone would make her lose power. By the time she was finally overthrown, she wasn’t the same woman who mourned her sister Cassandra – she’d changed so much, it was heartbreaking to see.

The show centers around the character of Allie, and Newton does a great job bringing her to life. Both the show and Golding’s original novel explore how easily people turn to violence and prioritize power when societal rules break down. Just like the boys in Lord of the Flies, the people of New Hamm try to create a democratic society to avoid this. Allie embodies the failure of that system when it’s tested, as leaders shift from working together to seeking control and simply trying to survive.

The actor Newton skillfully portrays Allie’s transformation throughout the series, convincingly showing how fear and the need to survive can drive someone to become power-hungry. Allie becomes a symbol of the conflicting sides of human nature – she embodies both the desire for rules and stability, and the temptation to resort to violence. This dramatic change happens quickly, within just ten episodes, and Newton carries the entire weight of the show by representing the best and worst aspects of a society without laws.

Kathryn Newton’s Performance in the Society Paved the Way for Her Future Career Trajectory

Before landing the lead role in The Society, Newton was most known for being in Paranormal Activity 4, a horror movie that wasn’t very well-received by critics. She’d previously played supporting roles in films like Detective Pikachu and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The Society gave her a chance to really showcase her acting abilities.

Newton is a remarkably versatile actor, consistently demonstrating her range across different types of projects. This ability is particularly evident when looking at her roles following her work in The Society. The more assertive side of her character in the later episodes of that show is echoed in her comedic villain roles in Freaky and Abigail, where she portrays characters driven by a desire for power, wealth, or success. Similarly, the intense emotional journey Allie undergoes—a quick shift from being vulnerable to fiercely fighting for survival—is a key element of her character in another project.

In The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, Allie showcases a more thoughtful and reserved side, playing a smart but emotionally guarded teenager who is both scientifically minded and dealing with loss. This contrasts with her later role as Cassie Lang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where she transforms into a courageous and proactive hero – the teenage daughter of Scott Lang – and is expected to reappear in the next Avengers: Doomsday film.

Though perhaps not her most famous work, The Society was important because it allowed Newton to demonstrate her impressive range as an actress. Her portrayal of Allie showed she could handle complex, dramatic roles, proving she wasn’t limited to comedy or supporting parts and hinting at a bright future filled with powerful performances in various types of films and shows.

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2026-04-11 18:38