How Netflix's The Innocents uses Shapeshifting to Promote Self-Love

With its teenage themes, love and shapeshifting, Netflix's The Innocents manages to teach the audience how to embrace and love themselves - using the supernatural power of shapeshifting to promote self-love. 

This remarkable journey of growth and self-discovery begins when teenage lovers June McDaniel (Sorcha Groundsell) and Harry Polk (Percelle Ascott), decide to escape their lives and run away together to London.

However, things don't quite go to plan for the two young lovers as they find themselves being hunted by Norwegians Steiner and Alf; on behalf of Doctor Halvorson (Guy Pearce). Soon after, June discovers that she has the supernatural ability to 'shift' into other people - just like her Mother, Elena.

With a storyline that is engrossing, addictive and dark, it seems clear that the ability to shapeshift is a metaphor of June's growth into a young woman - sending her on a journey of self-discovery, as she tries to find her place in the world and where she belongs. Her ability to shift into other people, makes her afraid of who she is and we watch as she and Harry struggle to find themselves.

Throughout the episodes, June struggles to come to terms with her ability; craving understanding and hunting for answers about who she is and what she could be. With the need to learn more, June soon discovers another Shifter called Kam (Abigail Hardingham) and later travels to Sanctum to find her Mother and others like her.

Sanctum lies tucked away in a quite and solemn corner of Norway and acts as a refuge for Shifters - a place for them to learn to control their abilities with the help of Halvorson. Residing there is Sigrid (Lise Risom Olsen), Runa (Ingunn Beate Oyen) and Elena (Laura Birn) - all women have the ability to Shift.
The beautiful use of cinematography makes Sanctum look vibrant and tranquil, however behind closed doors, Halvorson has a much more sinister plan brewing and his true intentions come to light in the final episode of the series.

However, it is in Episode 7, when June shifts into her Mother, that she finally embraces herself for who she is. Through Elena's memories, June discovers the role her Mother played in the Pennine Five case and becomes determined to be her best self - embracing herself for who she is and declaring that she "will have love." For the first time since discovering her ability, June sounds proud to be a Shifter.

If June's journey of growth and self-discovery has taught us anything, it is that there is no need to be afraid of yourself and that you should always embrace yourself, no matter who you discover yourself to be. If the strength of Harry and June's love is anything to go by; it is that someone will always love you for who you are.