Female Empowerment in Action

Charlize Theron (pictured) is one of many actresses who has turned out awesome action performances. (Credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr) Note: There are spoilers below. Also, scenes from these offerings contain violence (as one might imagine) and, at times, strong language. During the press tour for “The Old Guard 2,” a 2025 summer action movie put out by streaming giant Netflix, star Charlize Theron made a plain but valid (if depressing) point: “Action films with female leads don’t get green-lit as much as the ones with male leads.” Worse, “guys will get a free ride” when it comes to action films, she added to The New York Times, in the sense that “when women do them, and the movie maybe doesn’t hit fully, they don’t necessarily get a chance again. But they’ll take many times on the same guy who might have a string of action movies that did not do so well.” She’s right. One example? “The Marvels,” a 2023 Marvel Cinematic Universe offering led by a trio of women – Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani – that raked in tens of millions of dollars domestically while making history for its Black woman director, Nia DaCosta. But in comparison to other comic-book films from the Marvel machine, which made hundreds of millions in the U.S. during the comic-book maker’s cinematic heyday, it was a flop – and online fanboys were quick to crow about its so-called failure. “Disney forgot 99% of comic book fans are guys,” one person wrote. Added another: “Disney’s THE MARVELS bombed. Why? Because ‘SUPERHERO’ is a male brand.” As sexist and baseless as these criticisms were, Marvel has yet to attempt anything of the sort since. It has, however, invested in male-led films like this year’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” despite them struggling repeatedly at the box office. One thing the naysayers can’t take away, though, is that women have churned out some seriously thrilling action performances over the years, from the Pam Griers of cinematic eras past to the Angelina Jolies of today – performances that have made us gasp, cringe in sympathetic pain, and cheer in celebration at their victories. Below, we reflect on several of those more recent action performances – and the asses kicked by action-star actresses.

Female Empowerment in Action

8 Unforgettable Modern Action Roles by Women

The Story Exchange

Female Empowerment in Action

8 Unforgettable Modern Action Roles by Women

The Story Exchange

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