Times are hard and the news out there seems bleak. It would be easy to give in to nihilism and defeat, but we know from experience that doesn’t help anything. Instead, this is a great time to channel that energy and rage into action. But sometimes we do need to sit and give in to the emotions. And sometimes movies are a great place to turn for comfort, catharsis, and inspiration. Hence, we have put together a brief list of movies about women and female rage and sisterhood.
This list is far from comprehensive. And it’s kind of all over the place. It isn’t ranked or even organized in any meaningful way. Some are about fighters and others are just simply about love. All but one is directed by a woman. Although Paul Feig is our Honorary Dame. We will always make an exception for him.
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) – 2020
Directed by Cathy Yan
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call – 2016
Directed by Paul Feig, honorary Dame
Jennifer’s Body – 2009
Directed by Karyn Kusama
Promising Young Woman – 2020
Directed by Emerald Fennell
Revenge (2017)
Directed by Coralie Fargeat
Courtesy of Mubi
The Substance – 2024
Directed by Coralie Fargeat
Titane – 2021
Directed by Julia Ducournau
Monster – 2003
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Mary Queen of Scots – 2018
Directed by Josie Rourke
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Woman King – 2022
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Breadwinner – 2017
Directed by Nora Twomey
The Nightingale – 2018
Directed by Jennifer Kent
Booksmart – 2019
Directed by Olivia Wilde
She Said – 2022
Directed by Maria Schrader
Courtesy of Janus Films
Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles – 1975
Directed by Chantal Akerman
Wonder Woman – 2017
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Portrait of a Lady on Fire – 2019
Directed by Céline Sciamma
Wadjda – 2012
Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour
On the Basis of Sex – Mimi Leder
Directed by Mimi Leder
Black Christmas – 2019
Directed by Sophia Takal
The Glorias – 2020
Directed by Julie Taymor
Blow the Man Down – 2019
Directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy
Courtesy of Orion Pictures
Women Talking – 2022
Directed by Sarah Polley
A Wrinkle in Time – 2018
Directed by Ava Duvernay
The Forty-Year-Old Version – 2020
Directed by Radha Blank
A League of Their Own – 1992
Directed by Penny Marshall
Barbie – 2023
Directed by Greta Gerwig
Bottoms – 2023
Directed by Emma Seligman
Bound – 1996
Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski
There you have it. Our work-in-progress list of films to help us get through the tough times. Female rage, empowerment, sisterhood. It’s all here, but there are so many other great ones to include.
Leave a Reply