Zara Young, played by Katie McGrath, is a significant character in the 2015 film Jurassic World, the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise. Created by the screenwriters of Jurassic World, Zara is introduced as the personal assistant to Claire Dearing, the park’s operations manager. Her backstory, though not extensively explored in the film, reveals her as a British, career-driven individual who is engaged and planning her wedding [2][5].
Zara’s role in the narrative is multifaceted, serving both as a character who reflects the mundane aspects of working in a high-pressure environment and as a victim of the catastrophic events that unfold when the park’s security is breached. Her significance lies in her relatable personality and the controversial nature of her death, which has sparked considerable discussion among fans and critics.
In Jurassic World, Zara Young is tasked with looking after Claire’s nephews, Zach and Gray, during their visit to the park. This responsibility is thrust upon her due to Claire’s busy schedule and inability to take time off. Zara’s interactions with the boys are limited but revealing; she appears to be impatient and not particularly fond of children, which makes her stand out from the other characters who are enthusiastic about the park’s attractions [2][4].
As the story progresses and the Indominus rex escapes, chaos erupts throughout the park. Zara’s attempts to locate the missing boys lead to her own desperate situation. Her death is one of the most memorable and horrific scenes in the film, involving a sequence where she is picked up by a Pteranodon, dropped into the Jurassic World Lagoon, nearly drowned by another Pteranodon, and finally devoured by a Mosasaurus [1][3][5].
Zara Young’s personality is defined by her career-driven and assertive nature. She is depicted as an intelligent and detail-oriented individual who is deeply invested in her job. Despite her impatience and controlling demeanor, especially around children, she shows genuine concern for the well-being of Claire’s nephews when they go missing [2][4].
Her motivations are rooted in her professional ambitions and personal life; she is engaged and planning her wedding, indicating a desire for stability and happiness outside of her work. However, her character development is cut short due to her early and gruesome death in the film.
Zara’s strengths include her organizational skills and dedication to her job, which are evident in her ability to manage Claire’s schedule and responsibilities. Her flaws, such as her impatience and lack of enthusiasm for children, make her a more nuanced and realistic character. Despite these flaws, her death evokes a sense of tragedy and injustice, as she is portrayed as an innocent victim rather than a villainous character who deserves such a fate [1][3][4].
Zara Young’s character embodies several themes that are central to Jurassic World. One of the primary themes is the unpredictability and danger of playing with nature. Zara’s death serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of creating and controlling powerful creatures like dinosaurs. Her demise is particularly symbolic because it highlights the random and merciless nature of the dinosaurs’ attacks, underscoring that even innocent characters can fall victim to the chaos [1][3][5].
Another theme is the critique of corporate culture and the prioritization of profit over human life. Zara, as a dedicated employee, represents the faceless workers who are often overlooked in the grand scheme of corporate operations. Her death can be seen as a commentary on the expendability of such characters in the eyes of corporate entities [4].
Zara Young’s character has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in the context of how her death was received by audiences and critics. Her death scene is widely regarded as one of the most horrifying and memorable in the Jurassic Park franchise, sparking discussions about the appropriateness and necessity of such graphic violence in a film that is otherwise marketed as a family-friendly adventure [1][3][5].
The controversy surrounding her death has led to debates about the portrayal of violence in media and the treatment of minor characters in blockbuster films. Despite the controversy, Zara’s character has become a talking point in popular culture, symbolizing the darker aspects of the Jurassic World universe.
Critics and audiences have had mixed reactions to Zara Young’s character and her death. Many have criticized the film for the gratuitous and prolonged nature of her death, arguing that it was unnecessary and mean-spirited [1][3][4]. Others have praised the scene for its intensity and the emotional impact it has on the viewer, even if it feels out of place in the otherwise lighthearted tone of the film.
The consensus is that Zara’s death is one of the most memorable and disturbing moments in the film, but opinions are divided on whether it was an effective narrative choice. Some argue that her death could have been handled differently to serve the story better, while others see it as a bold and impactful decision that adds to the film’s tension and realism.
Zara Young’s legacy in the Jurassic Park franchise is that of a character whose death has left a lasting impression on audiences. Her character represents a turning point in the film where the tone shifts from excitement and adventure to horror and survival. Despite her limited screen time, Zara’s impact on the narrative and the emotional response of the audience is significant.
Her character has inspired discussions about the treatment of minor characters in films and the balance between action, adventure, and horror elements. Zara Young remains a memorable figure in the Jurassic World universe, a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted characters and the lasting impact of their stories.