From horror to romance, coming-of-age stories to biopics, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best films (and a few great TV shows) released in recent years centering around the lives of women and the broad experiences of womanhood.
From horror to romance, coming-of-age stories to biopics, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best films (and a few TV shows) released in recent years centering around the lives of women and the broad experiences of womanhood.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal
In her feature directorial debut, Maggie Gyllenhaal adapts the novel of the same name for the big screen. With a stellar cast (including Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Dakota Johnson), ‘The Lost Daughter’ tackles the taboo issue of resentful motherhood.
Gone Girl (2014)
Directed by David Fincher
Famously Anne Hathaway’s favourite ‘rom-com’, Gone Girl portrays the fallout after the sudden disappearance of Amy Dunne, portrayed by Rosamund Pike. Her husband, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) quickly becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance and his case is only worsened as aspects of his life are revealed to the audience, including his affair with Andie, his student.
Precious (2006)
Directed by Lee Daniels
An Oscar-winning film, Precious tells the story of 16-year-old Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones who has spent her life experiencing verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse from her parents. Set in 1980s Harlem, Precious struggles through teenage motherhood, poverty, and abuse to make a better life for herself and her children by striving to get herself an education.
Ammonite (2020)
Directed by Francis Lee
A biopic of the pioneering Victorian palaeontologist Mary Anning, Ammonite depicts the development of the forbidden relationship between Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) and Charlotte (Saoirse Ronan). Beyond their relationship, Ammonite also explores the way in which Anning was excluded from the male-dominated scientific societies that failed to respect her contributions and discoveries.
Persepolis (2007)
Directed by Marjane Satrapi
Based on the comic-book series by Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis is a mostly black and white animated adaption that tells the story of a young girl (Marjane) growing up in pre-revolutionary Iran. As she grows up, and the geopolitical situation worsens, Marjane moves to France but is subsequently subject to much racism and misogyny. Now she must come to terms with feeling like an outcast in a new place or returning to her homeland that rejects free-thinking, independent women.
Little Women (2019)
Directed by Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig’s stunning adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel wrestles with many of the plights 19th-century women faced. Much of this is channeled through Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), whose oft-quoted (but also oft-misrepresented) monologue demonstrates her frustration that a woman’s purpose is confined to a romantic destiny. However, Jo’s criticism is not that women are only seen as vessels for ‘romance’ but that women are never seen as multifaceted:
“Women have minds and they have souls as well as just hearts. They’ve got ambition and they’ve got talent as well as just beauty. I am so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it! But—I am so lonely.”
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Directed by Sofia Coppola
A film “about women for women”, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette is currently having a deserved renaissance. Misunderstood by critics as ‘vapid’, looking back today we see that much of this criticism stems from the popular climate of 2006 that rejected something that was so unapologetically feminine and camp.
I May Destroy You (2020)
Written by Michaela Coel
Hailed by many as one of if not the best drama series of 2020, Michaela Coel’s brilliant ‘I May Destroy You’ tackles the harrowing topic of sexual assault, based on Coel’s own experience, with dark humour and sobering discomfort.
Further Suggestions
Sister Act (1992) dir. Emile Ardolino
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) dir. Celine Sciamma
Lady Bird (2017) dir. Greta Gerwig
Booksmart (2019) dir. Olivia Wilde
Roma (2018) dir. Alfonso Cuaron
Nomadland (2020) dir. Chloe Zhao
Hidden Figures (2016) dir. Theodore Melfi
The Witch (2016) dir. Robert Eggers
The Favourite (2018) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
Jennifer’s Body (2009) dir. Karyn Kusama
Mother! (2017) dir. Daren Aronofsky
Emma (2020) dir. Autumn de Wilde (Soundtrack composed by Isobel Waller-Bridge)
The Woman King (2022) dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) dir. Marielle Heller
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) dir. Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Coda (2021) dir. Sian Heder
Colette (2019) dir. Wash Westmoreland
Misbehaviour (2020) dir. Philippa Lowthorpe
Suffragette (2015) dir. Sarah Gavron
Fleabag (2016-2019) written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge