Man, women in Hollywood roles have come such a long way, you know? I’m just chilling on my lumpy couch in my tiny-ass Chicago apartment, the faint whiff of burnt popcorn from my microwave still hanging around, thinking about how I used to watch old movies with my mom and now I’m obsessed with these badass female-led flicks. Like, we went from damsels waiting for some dude to save them to women who’d rather kick the door down themselves. I’m no film buff—hell, I once dozed off during Citizen Kane at this indie theater, totally embarrassing, drool on my scarf and all—but I’ve got eyes, and I can see how women’s roles in movies have changed big time. Let me just ramble about this, straight from my coffee-stained brain.
Why Women in Hollywood Roles Used to Low-Key Annoy Me
Back in the day, I’d watch those ‘80s movies with my mom, sprawled out on our ugly brown carpet, and the women in Hollywood roles? Ugh, so boring. They were either the “sexy girlfriend” or the “annoying mom” who just existed to prop up the guy. I remember being, like, 12, watching Top Gun, thinking, “Yo, why’s Kelly McGillis just there to make Tom Cruise look cool?” She was supposed to be this smart instructor, but the movie barely gave her a chance to shine. I’d grab an extra handful of Cheetos and mumble, “Let her fly the damn plane or something!” I didn’t get why it bugged me so much back then.
I looked it up later—stuff like the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (check it here) says women in the ‘80s and ‘90s barely got 30% of speaking roles in big movies. And when they did talk? Total stereotypes. Like, Hollywood thought women were only good for looking hot or screaming their heads off. Don’t get me wrong, I still vibed with some of those flicks—Dirty Dancing was my jam—but women in Hollywood roles felt so… trapped. It kinda messed with my head, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.
The Kinda Chaotic Rise of Female Empowerment in Movies
Okay, so now I’m here, in my mismatched socks, scrolling X on my cracked phone screen, seeing all these posts about women in Hollywood roles absolutely slaying. Like, Wonder Woman? Captain Marvel? I watched Barbie last summer in a packed theater, and I legit teared up during Margot Robbie’s big speech—partly ‘cause it hit me hard, partly ‘cause I got popcorn salt in my eye, oops. Women in cinema are finally getting to be messy, real, and, like, human. Directors like Greta Gerwig and Ava DuVernay are out here making movies that don’t just shove women to the side.
But, real talk, it’s not all perfect. I saw some chatter on X (like this post) saying women still only get, like, less than 40% of lead roles in blockbusters. And the pay gap? Don’t even. When I read Emma Stone had to fight for equal pay on La La Land, I nearly spit out my iced latte. I mean, I’m not out here negotiating movie deals, but I once argued over $3 at a thrift store, so I feel her. The evolution of women in Hollywood roles is happening, but it’s messy as hell, and I’m still figuring out what I think about it.
- What’s different now? More women are writing, directing, producing. Like, Kathryn Bigelow snagging an Oscar for The Hurt Locker? Iconic.
- What’s still sucky? Hollywood’s still got this bro vibe sometimes. Women of color especially get screwed— peep the Geena Davis Institute’s research (here) for the details.
- My dumb moment: I once swore Twilight was feminist ‘cause Bella “picked” Edward. Yeah, no. I was so wrong. Cringe.
Women in Cinema Today: My Totally Unfiltered Take
Alright, so I’m sitting here, my apartment’s freezing, there’s a half-eaten bagel on my counter, and I’m thinking about women in Hollywood roles today. I love how we’re getting characters who aren’t just “strong” but, like, weird and messy and real. Everything Everywhere All At Once had Michelle Yeoh being a total boss and a stressed-out mom. That mix? It’s so me. I once had a meltdown in a Target parking lot over a work email, then blasted Beyoncé to feel like a queen. Relatable.
But here’s the thing—I kinda worry we’re trading one stereotype for another. Like, does every woman in cinema have to be a “girlboss” now? I saw this thread on X (like this one) saying some studios just slap “empowered” on a female character without giving her any depth. I’ve been there, hyping up a movie ‘cause it had a “strong female lead,” only to realize she was just… kinda flat. My bad, I guess. I’m still learning.
Tips from My Messy Life: Spotting Real Progress in Women’s Roles
I’m no expert, just a chick who’s watched way too many movies and spilled way too many snacks. But here’s my take on how to spot real progress in women in Hollywood roles, straight from my cluttered coffee table:
- Go for depth, not clichés. A good female character feels like someone you’d grab coffee with, not a cartoon. Think Fleabag, not “quirky best friend.”
- Check who’s behind the camera. If women are writing or directing, it’s usually more real. I learned this after staying up till 2 a.m. Googling Greta Gerwig after Lady Bird.
- Don’t fall for hype. If a movie’s screaming “feminist!” too loud, it’s probably trying too hard. I got hyped for Ghostbusters (2016) and felt meh after. Lesson learned.
Wrapping Up My Ramble on Women in Hollywood Roles
So, yeah, I’m just a gal in Chicago, surrounded by empty LaCroix cans and a stray sock, geeking out over how women in Hollywood roles have grown. It’s not perfect—sometimes I still groan at a lazy character—but it’s way better than when I was a kid stealing extra Cheetos. I’m still figuring out what makes a good female role, and I’m pumped to see what’s next. You got a favorite female-led movie? Hit me up in the comments or on X—I’m always down for a rec!
