Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

So fed up with watching films with no decent female roles - please give me your recommendations

224 replies

whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:17

Watched yet another 'classic' film tonight in which the occasional (beautiful) woman flitted on screen either grieving for a man or being seduced by one, the rest was just a bunch of guys shooting at each other. I don't know what the actual percentage of the films I've watched in my life that have been like that but, thinking about it tonight, it feels absurdly high. I know this is much discussed but watching films with teenage DDs I'm just reminded how few films there seem to be with fully-formed girls and women in them who aren't just there to look hot. I started googling 'female empowering films' and got stuff like Superwoman and, while I don't have a problem with Superwoman, that's not really what I'm after - I don't especially need to be showing my daughters films in which the women kick ass and beat all the men in fights, or being heroes in some other capacity. They don't need to be all about women, I just want there to be nuanced girls and women on screen being part of what's going on, having conversations etc.

I'm sure they are out there, I'm just all out of ideas and would love to have a list on hand for when we are choosing films as a family. So if you have any favourite films with great female characters please share!

Going to bed shortly but pick this up again in the morning. Thanks in advance

OP posts:
whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:18

Just realised I've put this on the wrong board - was meant to be on 'feminism'. Will ask for it to be moved

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 01/02/2025 23:19

Sister Act

LetsGoToJapan · 01/02/2025 23:20

Hidden Figures

unsync · 01/02/2025 23:20

I've always though Sarah Connor was a great role model, but the language and subject matter might be a bit strong depending on age.

Skooled · 01/02/2025 23:21

Anything with Jessica chastain in it

whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:21

LetsGoToJapan · 01/02/2025 23:20

Hidden Figures

We loved that!

OP posts:
whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:23

Thanks for the ideas so far - anything up to age rating 15 is good (in fact 18 suggestions also welcome for the older one who is not far off that)

OP posts:
Notmydaughteryoubitch · 01/02/2025 23:23

I watched The Outrun last week which is utterly beautiful and a fabulous performance from Saoirse Ronan and definitely passes The Bechdel test.

littlebilliie · 01/02/2025 23:24

Brooklyn

chollysawcutt · 01/02/2025 23:24

Hunger Games/Catching Fire... and then when you remember how good Jennifer Lawrence was, watch her in Joy. Because she gets the mop, not the man.

whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:26

Notmydaughteryoubitch · 01/02/2025 23:23

I watched The Outrun last week which is utterly beautiful and a fabulous performance from Saoirse Ronan and definitely passes The Bechdel test.

Edited

I absolutely loved that. Haven't watched it with DDs though so thanks for the reminder

OP posts:
TheFlis · 01/02/2025 23:27

It’s a documentary, not fiction, but ‘Maiden’ is incredible and shows how much women can kick arse and prove everyone wrong when told they can’t do something.

HelloMyNameIsElderSmurf · 01/02/2025 23:29

A third for The Outrun. And I watched POMS yesterday on Netflix and loved it. TBF Wicked probably meets your criteria too.

But I'm mainly placemarking...

BettyBooper · 01/02/2025 23:32

True Grit
Kill Bill
Bringing up Baby
Princess Bride
Jumanji
Cruella

Bloody hell. Why is this so difficult???!

whatsinanumber · 01/02/2025 23:33

These are great - thanks v much for all the suggestions and keep'em coming. Really struggling to stay awake now but will be back in the morning!

OP posts:
Notmydaughteryoubitch · 01/02/2025 23:35

If watching with older teens - Ladybird and also Booksmart would be pretty good shouts.
How to build a girl wasn't dreadful and very much a young woman's story. I Tonya was great portrayal of a complex woman. Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri is both heartbreaking and darkly comedic and amazing central performance from Frances Mcdormand. The Substance if they/you can handle body horror with heavy dose of feminism.
On an Olivia Coleman front - Wicked Little letters and The Favourite and The Lost Daughter is on my to watch list. Women Talking - is super powerful and well worth a watch. Men (which sounds counterintuitive) with Jesse Buckley wasnt a perfect movie but was really interesting.

Going old school have you done Alien with them - can't get more kick arse woman than Ripley - also Thelma and Louise, Boys on the Side.

Screamingabdabz · 01/02/2025 23:37

Google ‘films that pass the Bechdel test.’

PermanentTemporary · 01/02/2025 23:38

I, Tonya
Nyad
Passion Fish
Private Benjamin
Shakespeare in Love

AmateurNoun · 01/02/2025 23:38

Fargo

Catofthesouth · 01/02/2025 23:39

Ginger Snaps

musicalfrog · 01/02/2025 23:40

Double Jeopardy

BettyBooper · 01/02/2025 23:40

Also the TV that is great... Killing Eve, Fleabag... Er .... Bluey...

Private Benjamin! Yes! Awesome! I also love Overboard. Yeah yeah whatever, it's funny and Goldie is a legend 😜

AmateurNoun · 01/02/2025 23:42

I really liked The Homesman - so rare to have a good Western that focuses on women.

musicalfrog · 01/02/2025 23:42

Little Voice

Lifelover16 · 01/02/2025 23:43

The Help