This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Arianna Nahim. Find her on Instagram at @ariannanahim. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Quirky, eccentric, peculiar, off-beat, or just weird is the most popular adjective for the trope on the internet right now. The “weird girl” is a category or trope, if you will, of a certain kind of person. As we know, the internet loves its sub-categories. Terms like “Brat Summer” or “Clean Girl” are popular because people enjoy being categorized; it makes them feel seen or inspires them to embody something they see and want to be. And not only do these categories come with titles, but they are almost always attached to specific things to feel connected to. These could be movies, shows, books, music, or all of the above!
So, how is the “weird girl” defined? Well, in my opinion, she is a sub-category of the infamous “Manic Pixie Dream Girl,” but with a lot less of the male gaze sprinkled in. Since she is free from the restrictions of being solely depicted according to the male gaze, her personality is free from the shackles of the ego-centered male character who thinks her eccentrics will save him. She’s unusual, and she doesn’t care how most of her unconventional ways may be perceived. Her inner world is rich, and she may tend to follow the white rabbit. To help you grasp the categorization better, think of Phoebe Buffay from “Friends,” Luna Lovegood from “Harry Potter,” or April from “Parks and Rec.”
As someone who others have described as quirky, eccentric, peculiar, off-beat, or just weird, you could say there are certain pieces of media that I feel spiritually connected to, you could say. Now, if you to relate to my sentiments thus far, you will thoroughly enjoy these picks. If you’re still not relating, hold on because I’ve got some pieces picked out that will make you instantly cooler.
Movies
Coraline
It was a bit difficult to choose between this film and Alice in Wonderland. At first glance, they’re very similar. Two girls who don’t fit in use their overactive imaginations as a form of escapism from the mundane world around them that just doesn’t get them. Both of their escapisms put themselves in danger and force them to rise to the occasion of a sort of heroism. But I chose Coraline because I think it’s more relatable. Yes, it is a total fantasy and isn’t possible, but there’s an element that is grounding enough to speak to us. Choosing to live in your own mind rather than interact with the natural world because you find it easier or more enjoyable is something all too familiar for the “weird girls.”
Show
High Fidelity
This show is fairly new to me but has quickly become my favorite of the Fall season. Sadly, it is only 7 or 8 episodes long, but it is worth the watch. Rob, the main character, is so relatable to the girls who have always felt like the odd one out. She isn’t the typical “weird girl” either. Most people see her as the “cool girl,” but that’s a surface-level observation. Yes, she has a cool fashion sense and is inspired by a laid-back and bohemian vibe. But when I watched the show, I felt like I was watching a “weird girl” navigating love, the city, and young adulthood, but on the inside, she’s still that off-beat girl who tells jokes that don’t land one too many times. That, coupled with Rob’s interaction with the audience through amiable conversation, just makes her intensely real and makes me sadder and sadder that there isn’t more episodes.
Book
Bunny
“Bunny,” by Mona Awad, is described as “A down-the-rabbit-hole tale of loneliness and belonging, friendship and desire, and the fantastic and terrible power of the imagination.” I mean, if I had to sum up the archetype of the “weird girl,” that sentence would fabulously do the job. It’s a rich story that, if you miss the detailed, imaginative world found in many children’s books, this book has grown with you and is ready for it to be your next read. Each chapter is so engrossing that you are almost dizzy when you finally look up.
Music
These are two personal playlists that I’ve made. When I listen to them, I honestly feel so in tune with who I am, and I think that will go for us “weird girls” everywhere. To reference “Coraline,” it truly feels like you’re her in the montage of her exploring her new neighborhood, with the song “Exploration” in the background. There is a specific off-putting rhythm in all these songs that make them stand apart from other songs or playlists.
This collection reminds us that being different isn’t bad. It contains beauty and art. Beauty that makes you feel seen and gives others a glimpse into a world you may have trouble putting into words.
Who is your favorite ‘weird girl?” What are your favorite weird movies to watch? Let us know below!
Leave a Reply