Why is Hollywood still struggling to create female characters that aren’t so one dimensional? Although there have been decades of progress, too many women characters are left as almost underdeveloped ideas. We’re often presented with the overly competent “strong” woman who lacks emotional depth, or the romantic interest whose only function is to support the male lead’s narrative. Newsflash Hollywood: women are complex people too and deserve characters that show that.
Many may write this off, but representation matters. What people see on the screen influences how they interact with women in real life. When characters lack complexity, real women are seen as shallow as well. It also sends a message to young girls that women can only be, or act, a certain way. The message movies currently send is clear – women’s stories aren’t as important as men’s.
I think writers thought they were moving in the right direction with the introduction of the so-called “strong female character.” This character is strong-willed, driven and often emotionless. It seems to be the personification of women’s critique of men. In other words, they’re “male coded.” They may seem empowering, but, the reality is, they still lack depth. Just because movies show a different type of one-dimensional characters, does not mean they are making true progress. Characters need nuance to truly be representative.
The depiction is still narrow. Most characters are white, straight, young and attractive. There’s a limited lens of what is acceptable to be as a woman, and until intersectional representation is seen on the big screen, countless stories will go untold.
There are some glimpses of hope, however. Movies like “Barbie” or “Promising Young Woman,” show female leads as something not so surface level. These were films written and produced by women and show that audiences do crave authentic female stories. It’s not a subgenre that has no fans. Hollywood needs to invest in these diverse creators, and write women as whole, flawed and amazing people.
It matters. Women are not just one way. They don’t need to fit into your story, they need to be the story. When media is repeatedly showing women as invisible or lacking complexity, it reinforces the harmful stereotypes that are woven into our society. So, wake up Hollywood, this is your chance to make a difference.
