The Myth of a Surge: Strong Female Leads in Modern Cinema

There seems to be a persistent debate circulating around the notion of a recent surge in the movie industry focusing heavily on strong female leads. Critics argue that while the concept of strong female characters is not new, the portrayal and writing have evolved significantly in recent years. This article aims to explore whether there is indeed a surge, and if so, what it means for the quality and reception of these films.

Historical Context: A Sleepy Industry or a Quiet Revolution?

Many believe that the movie industry has always had strong female leads, but the writing quality and character depth have greatly improved in recent times. Some argue that the increase in strong female leads is more about the need for controversy rather than a genuine improvement in storytelling. The movie industry, through pivotal works like Alien (1979), starring Sigourney Weaver, has long shown that strong female characters are not a novelty but a testament to good writing and compelling storytelling.

The writer suggests that the current trend in writing and producing movies can be categorized as 'Tumblr feminist writing fanfiction.' While this style emphasizes social commentary and critiques, it often lacks the depth and complexity needed to create well-rounded and engaging characters. As a result, movies are increasingly relying on controversy and social commentary to market themselves, rather than on the inherent quality of the storytelling.

The Rise of Show vs. Sell

The recent surge in the portrayal of strong female leads, often advertised with emphatic statements like 'The Force is Female,' seems to prioritize the message over the narrative. This trend is particularly prevalent in superhero movies and franchises where the introduction of a female character is seen as a marketing opportunity rather than a narrative strength.

Examples like Rey Skywalker in the Star Wars saga and the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot are often cited as weak representations of strong female protagonists. Rey's character arc is criticized for lacking a clear hero's journey, while Ghostbusters is seen as an underwhelming attempt at gender parity, albeit unintentionally. These movies, despite having strong female roles, fall short in telling a compelling and well-written story.

Successful Examples and Criticisms

It's important to mention that some movies do manage to balance strong female characters with solid writing and compelling narratives. Characters like Leia Organa from Star Wars and Selene from Underworld are celebrated for their depth and complexity, rather than solely being marketed as strong female leads. Their success lies in their ability to fully flesh out their characters, going through challenges and overcoming them in ways that resonate with audiences.

However, the introduction of a strong female lead in a franchise is often met with a pre-release marketing strategy that emphasizes the gender and strength of the character. This approach can lead to disappointment if the character's complexity and depth are not adequately portrayed in the film. As one critic notes, it's rare to see a film in the past two decades that was marketed as a success purely because of a strong female lead. The character's skills and complexity are often overshadowed by the marketing hype.

Conclusion

The recent trend towards strong female leads in feature films seems more about marketing and social commentary than a genuine shift in writing quality. While there have always been strong female characters in cinema, recent movies often prioritize the message over the narrative, leading to weaker overall storytelling. As an industry, we need to focus on creating compelling stories that highlight the complexity and depth of our characters, regardless of their gender.