I wasn't expecting much out of a Marvel superhero movie but I like seeing the female-led ones and there often is a difference with the female-directed ones (which is why encouraging female creatives is so important!). I was pleasantly surprised by a few aspects of the movie:

  • Several female leads (not just one because she's "not like other girls") who each have their strengths and work together. They didn't need to make the other women pathetic in order to make Black Widow shine.
  • Not all size zero bombshells (although they are all obviously gorgeous)
  • Pretty good metaphor throughout of escaping patriarchy, women being trafficked etc. and then trying to set each other free.
  • NO romantic relationships for the female leads; they didn't even try to get Rachel Weisz's character back with the dad.
  • No weird shots of their ass, boobs etc. In one scene Scarjo removes her shirt and I kept waiting for the pan to her boobs and was amazed there was none, just a non-sexy distant shot of her back showing her injury.
  • The female villains aren't caricatures

All in all, I'd say Black Widow is a HVF (High Value Film). The film landscape seems to be changing for the better, bit by bit. and I think we should expect more than just passing the Bechdel test!

A few suggestions:

  • More than one important female character
  • Romantic relationships can be present but aren't central to the female character's plot
  • No tights shots of boobs, ass.. This video unpacks the difference https://youtu.be/1MTtYyZ1zd8
  • The female characters aren't wearing things that are sexy in a dumb ridiculous way. A lot was made of Birds of Prey and how Harley had great sexy costumes but they were clearly things a woman would pick to feel good, sexy, .. as opposed to things a man would want a woman to wear.

What would you like to see more of / do away with?