WHAT MAKES fiction appealing is its potential for limitless characterization, and the recent demand for equal representation of genders has uncovered how superhero movies have been doing female characters a disservice. Production companies of the superhero genre, given its large and impressionable audience, now bear a huge responsibility to dismantle the “female superhero paradox” by making a conscious effort to diversify female narratives in their films.

The “emotional” superhero 

   Women, especially those who are leaders, have a complicated relationship with emotion; to retain their authority, they have to be very cautious about how much of which emotion they express. This dilemma is extended to the modern female superhero when their powers are reliant upon their ability to subdue emotional trauma. A recent example that grapples with this phenomenon is the Disney+ series WandaVision—Marvel’s attempt at adding dimension to the Wanda Maximoff character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

   Though the series intends to add character development, it places Wanda in a predicament where she must control her hysteria to properly use her powers. Her inability to do so causes her to unknowingly manipulate the minds of Westview’s inhabitants, creating a reality where she is in domestic bliss at the expense of others. The studio’s portrayal of Wanda as inadvertently transforming herself into a housewife when unable to control her powers fails to evade the archetype that women are most emotionally fulfilled when they are at “home.” Despite her status as a powerful witch who can harness a rare form of magic, Wanda’s seemingly inescapable trauma from her past renders her conflicted about whether she should live a “normal” life or be a superhero. While emotional trauma is useful in adding dimension to a character, proposing a return to domesticity as a remedy to this trauma should not be the immediate solution for female narratives. 

One-sided femininity 

   Though a higher demand for independent female characters has definitely allowed for more frequent appearances of such characters, these changes unfortunately fail to consider what aspects of femininity are portrayed in media—resulting in production companies taking a “one size fits all” approach to female superheroes. Rather than use these female characters to debunk the hegemonic masculinity of superheroes, film studios direct their effort to show females can also conform to masculine behaviors. In an article titled, “Hollywood’s feminized movie reboots are not particularly feminist,” Emily Spiers argues that such films underscore the message that “women can fight baddies, aliens, ghosts too[1]!” Such an approach confines female superheroes to a male-oriented heroism marked by unusual physical strength and prevents them from portraying heroism based on genuine forms of femininity. 

   An example of this can be seen in the depiction of characters like Black Widow and Wonder Woman, who play into the archetype of women conforming to masculine traits—like having low voices, reserved facial expressions, and being aloof in social scenes—to convey their status as “strong” females. To avoid falling into this common trope, it is necessary to develop female characters who portray multi-faceted femininity. Rather than showcasing a typically more “masculine” character, a bubbly girl clad in pink could be the next female Avenger. The introduction of films that capture the narratives of female characters in a variety of contexts and storylines is an integral step toward reflecting what true femininity is for audiences.

Superheroes done right 

   Despite the aforementioned shortcomings, there are several, less-recognized films that succeed in portraying the more comprehensive female superhero. A great example is the Jessica Jones TV series, which is hailed by viewers as being ahead of its time. Although the central theme of Jessica Jones is emotional trauma—an element of female superhero movies I have lamented about—what makes this series stand out is that the decision to focus on Jones’ struggle with her emotional baggage is intentional and realistic. The protagonist wrestles with her trauma, and the plot dives into the complex reality of victimhood and societal issues that fails to contain violence against women. This show highlights how a female superhero is perfectly integrated into the story rather than just “existing there.” Similar examples worth mentioning are Vanya Hargreeves from The Umbrella Academy and Black Panther’s portrayal of Wakandan women. 

   Given superheroes’ unique level of resonance and sway over their audience, there should be more consideration about how femininity is portrayed in these films. The simple act of including female superheroes should no longer be a remarkable event but should be authentic and natural. 

[1] Quartz