Girl Power

Female representation in films is finally taking over mainstream cinema, and being spoken about a lot more since the recent release of Wonder Woman. Here are some other strong female characters in movies.

1. Sicario; Denis Villeneuve Click here to see trailer

This creepy, horrifying and thrilling film follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she works on a top secret case against an infamous and dangerous Mexican drug cartel. Kate is powerful and strong-willed, sticking up for herself and not once wincing as she showers thick blood off her face. With twists and turns, by the same director as Prisoners, you can expect an equally great movie. 

2. The VVitch; A New England Folk Tale; Robert Eggers Click here to see trailer

Now this is not one of my favourite horror movies - I didn't find it scary at all. But it is well made, beautifully shot, and has a cool ending which makes us reconsider the whole plot. Set in the 1600s, a family is terrorized by what they believe is a witch or demon who has taken over their teenaged daughter, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) after her baby brother vanishes into thin air. This is very stressful, and as the mother becomes more and more suspicious they treat Thomasin worse and worse. 

3. Beauty and the Beast; Bill Condon Click here to see trailer

In my opinion this is the best live action remake of a Disney classic, it does the story, characters, music, and themes justice without adding too much extra 'action'. This tale as old as time stars Emma Watson as young Belle; intelligent, quick-witted and independent woman living with her father in a small village. When he is taken hostage by a mysterious beast in a large castle, Belle frees him by trading places. She slowly learns the secrets of this castle - one of which the furniture and cutlery can talk, and this beast is a Prince who longs for a human connection. 

4. My Sister's Keeper; Nick Cassavetes Click here to see trailer

Although not critically revered, I enjoyed this film about a person's right to choose what is done with their body. Young parents Sara and Brian (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) are stunned when their daughter Anna (Abigail Breslin), who was concieved as a donor for her gravely ill sister, takes legal action to stop them harvesting parts of her body. This film follows the difficulties of running a family with a sick teen, and how these sisters work together to get what they each want. 

5. Blue is the Warmest Colour; Abdellatif Kechiche Click here to see trailer

This film is an emotional rollercoaster about young female love and coming of age. Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos) isn't satisfied with her average life, and meets blue haired and adventurous Emma (Lea Sedoux) and quickly falls for her charms - despite some bullying from her school friends and the pairs' completely different lifestyles. While we want everything to work out happily ever after, this is a realistic story of love and growing up, with some equally realistic and controversy-causing sex scenes. 

6. Hidden Figures; Theodore Melfi  Click here to see trailer

Set in a time when civil rights were only just becoming normal, three women help NASA make it to space with their brilliant mathematical minds and perseverance. Based on a true story, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) is employed as a 'computer' at NASA. Struggling with segregation, being a single mom, and coworkers doubting her abilities, she is the key to winning the Space Race. 

7. Nocturnal Animals; Tom Ford Click here to see trailer

This film is the definition of stressful, traumatic, and mysterious. I had to turn it off 30 minutes in and take a break! Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) is a successful art dealer, although not entirely happy with her lifestyle or estranged husband. When her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal) sends her a novel he wrote she is, and rightly so, creeped out by the characters, themes and plot - especially as it is dedicated to her. 

8. The Tall Man; Pascal Laugier Click here to see trailer

You could safely call this town a 'ghost town'. The homes are run-down, there are no job prospects, the men are violent, and the children are disappearing. Young nurse Julia (Jessica Beil) runs the only medical unit in the village, and makes a name for herself as being kind, caring, and especially supportive of the teens having to deal with their horrible home life. When her child is taken by the mysterious 'tall man' everything we presume to be true is twisted upside down. This is a very original take on the 'missing child' trope, and had my attention the entire way through.