Teen Wolf S3 Explains Derek’s Overprotectiveness towards Eli

Teen Wolf season 3 finally explains why Derek’s (Tyler Hoechlin) behavior towards Eli (Vince Mattis) was so overbearing in Teen Wolf: The Movie.

Younger protagonists of the movie are shifting into parental roles in the teen-centered supernatural drama, which makes perfect sense as Eli struggles to find his identity.

One of the best instances of the franchise using character’s arc to perfection is that of Derek. The character development of Derek is both poignant and tragic and leaves the audience wanting for more of the same.

Teen Wolf: The Movie depicts the McCall pack returning to face a new threat, Allison Argent (Crystal Reed). For Derek, the make-or-break factor is his son Eli and his future as a teen wolf.

This arc is incredibly personal to Derek because, during his teen years, he was always embraced because of his powers. But it is different for his son as the Argents have burned down the werewolf family home.

With these contrasting environments, it makes even more sense that Derek is so protective of Eli in Teen Wolf: The Movie. This is especially true because by the time Derek was Eli’s age, he had already faced many significant losses and shifts in life.

Most of his family members were killed in the Hale fire, and he was betrayed by one of his closest relatives, Peter Hale (Ian Stuart Bohem). Peter tried to kill Derek’s sister brutally because of her Alpha abilities.

Peace has been a luxury in Derek’s life. He has always been traumatized at the prospect of his loved ones transitioning into werewolves. After all, he was forced to kill his then-girlfriend Paige Krasikeva (Madison McLaughlin) because she rejected a werewolf bite when he was 15!

These events gave Derek serious attachment issues with his loved ones. It is no wonder he wants to protect Eli at all costs in Teen Wolf: The Movie.

This makes Derek’s death even more traumatizing in Teen Wolf: The Movie. Not only does it deprive Eli of a father, but he is also left unguarded in his werewolf journey.

Derek’s death also means that he will not be able to break the cycle of fatherless children in his family. Derek grew up without a father, and so will Elie.

About Teen Wolf: The Movie

Teen Wolf: The Movie is an upcoming American supernatural thriller teen drama film written and executive produced by Jeff Davis, and stars Tyler Posey as Scott McCall. The film is set to release on Paramount+ streaming platform in 2022.

The film is based on a 2011 television series with the same name and continues where the series had left off. The film will also serve as a starting point for the upcoming spin-off television series, Wolf Pack, based on a novel written by Edo van Belkom.