Feminism and the Marvel Cinematic Universe

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has made progress in terms of representation and empowering female characters, there are still several feminist issues that have been identified within the franchise.

The first problem is the lack of female-led films.  Prior to the release of Captain Marvel (2019) and Black Widow (2021), there was a notable absence of standalone films centered on female superheroes. Critics argue that the delay in providing female-led films perpetuates a gender imbalance and reinforces the dominance of male characters in the franchise. The second, and related, problem is the limited screen time and character development.  Some female characters in the MCU have been criticized for receiving less screen time and development compared to their male counterparts. This includes characters like Black Widow, who had a prominent supporting role but only received her standalone film later in the franchise.

Critics have also pointed out instances of the male gaze and objectification of female characters in the MCU. They argue that certain camera angles, costumes, and character portrayals emphasize women’s physical appearance over their agency and character development. Tokenism and stereotyping has been a big issue. The representation of women of diverse backgrounds in the MCU has been seen as limited and prone to stereotypes. Some argue that women of color have been sidelined or given less significant roles, leading to concerns about tokenism and underrepresentation of intersectional feminism. Likewise, the MCU has faced criticism for the lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation. While there have been hints and references to LGBTQ+ characters, the franchise has yet to fully embrace diverse sexual orientations and gender identities within its narratives.  Critics have also noted the underutilization and limited development of female villains in the MCU. There is a desire to see more complex and compelling female antagonists that challenge traditional gender norms and provide more diverse storytelling opportunities.

While the MCU has recently hired more female directors, there is still a notable gender disparity in the directorial positions. This lack of female representation behind the camera affects the perspectives and storytelling of female characters.  Concerns about gender pay disparity have also been raised, with reports suggesting that female actors in the MCU have been paid less than their male co-stars for similar roles. This highlights the broader issue of gender inequality in the film industry.

The MCU has been criticized for not including enough female voices in the creative decision-making process, including writing, producing, and directing. This lack of diverse perspectives can limit the authentic portrayal of female characters and their experiences. Some critics have even highlighted instances in the MCU where intimate partner violence or abusive dynamics have been depicted without proper exploration or sensitivity, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and trivialize serious issues.

It is important to note that the MCU has also been applauded for its positive strides in female representation and empowering narratives. However, these feminist concerns highlight areas where the franchise can continue to improve and provide more inclusive and equitable storytelling.

How Marvel’s Female Representation Compares to DC

While both the MCU and DC have released female-led superhero films, DC’s Wonder Woman (2017) stands out as an early and highly successful example of a female-driven superhero film. The film was praised for its empowering portrayal of the titular character and its exploration of feminist themes, including female agency and breaking gender norms. Wonder Woman explored themes of female empowerment, the importance of compassion, and the impact of gendered expectations. The film depicted Diana Prince/Wonder Woman as a complex and powerful character who defied stereotypes and fought for justice and equality.

Wonder Woman was celebrated for its impact on popular culture and its significance as a milestone in the representation of women in superhero films. It was hailed as a feminist triumph, resonating with audiences around the world and inspiring discussions about the importance of female representation in the genre. Wonder Woman was directed by Patty Jenkins, a woman filmmaker, and her perspective was seen as instrumental in capturing the character’s strength and femininity. The film’s success highlighted the significance of having female directors behind the camera to authentically portray female characters and their experiences.

While the MCU has made efforts to incorporate feminist themes and strong female characters, some argue that it has been more cautious in fully embracing feminist narratives. There have been moments of empowerment and representation, but they have not been as prominent or explicit as in Wonder Woman.

The release of Black Widow (2021) marked a significant step forward for the MCU in terms of female representation. The film was long-awaited, and it provided more depth and development for the character of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. However, some critics argue that the film could have delved deeper into feminist themes and addressed the character’s history of objectification.

Both Marvel and DC have made efforts to include more diverse characters and storylines in their respective universes. However, some argue that there is still room for improvement in representing intersectional feminism, including the experiences of women of color, LGBTQ+ characters, and characters with disabilities in both cinematic universes.

View this video to hear Brie Larson, Gemma Chan, Lashana Lynch, and directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden discuss the empowering roles of women in front of and behind the camera of Captain Marvel.

Video: “Captain Marvel Stars on Badass Women.”  YouTube, uploaded by Julia Skott, 7 Mar. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZCzYo2rtw4, CC BY.

As a class, view excerpts (or even the full films if time permits!) from Wonder Woman, The Black Widow, and Captain Marvel.  Also read some selections from the critical articles and essays listed under “Sources” as you prepare to discuss feminist representation in the superhero genre.

The following discussion questions provide a starting point to explore the intersection of feminism and the MCU. The evolving representation of women and feminist themes in the franchise opens up opportunities for critical analysis and examination of the broader cultural significance of superhero films.

Sources

“Captain Marvel Stars on Badass Women.”  YouTube, uploaded by Julia Skott, 7 Mar. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZCzYo2rtw4, CC BY.

Deardeuff, Madelaine.  Black Panther: Intersectionality in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  2019, https://www.proquest.com/openview/b1250851c14f3b6569257b7ef21a3552/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2026366&diss=y

DeMarchi, Mary Louise, “Avenging women: an analysis of postfeminist female representation in the cinematic Marvel’s Avengers series” (2014). College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Theses and Dissertations. 167. https://via.library.depaul.edu/etd/167

Dockterman, Eliana. “Black Widow Began as a Sexist Stereotype. More than a Decade Later, Scarlett Johansson Is Reclaiming Her Story.”  Time, 2 July 2021, https://time.com/6077666/black-widow-scarlett-johansson/

Fleck, Ryan, and Anna Boden. Captain Marvel. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2019.

Jenkins, Patty.  Wonder Woman. Warner Brothers Pictures, 2017.

Joffe, Robyn. “Holding Out for a Hero(Ine): An Examination of the Presentation and Treatment of Female Superheroes in Marvel Movies.” Panic at the Discourse, 5 Apr. 2019, https://www.panicdiscourse.com/holding-out-for-a-heroine/.

Joho, Jess. “Captain Marvel’s Shallow Take on Feminism Doesn’t Land.” Mashable, 9 Mar. 2019, mashable.com/article/captain-marvel-feminism-female-superhero/

Kent, Miriam.  Women in Marvel Films.  Edinburgh UP, 2021.

Kinnunen, Jenni. “Badass Bitches, Damsels in Distress, or Something in between? : Representation of Female Characters in Superhero Action Films.” University of Jyväskylä, Apr. 2016, https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/49610.

Kormanis, Carley. “8 Female Filmmakers in the MCU Who Are Breaking New Ground.”  CBR, 8 Jun. 2022, https://www.cbr.com/8-female-filmmakers-in-the-mcu-who-are-breaking-new-ground/#anna-boden-captain-marvel-39-s-co-director

Lenker, Maureen Lee.  “We Need to Talk about Marvel’s Women Problem.”  Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2022, https://ew.com/movies/we-need-to-talk-marvels-women-problem/

Poepsel, Mark, and Madelaine Gerard. “Black Widow: Female Representation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.” Polymath: An Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, 2018, pp. 27–53, https://ojcs.siue.edu/ojs/index.php/polymath/article/view/3314.

Ray, Kristin.  “Gender Portrayal  in Marvel Cinematic Universe Films: Gender Representation, Moral Alignment, and Rewards for Violence.” Theses and Dissertations.  Brigham Young University, 2020.

Shortland, Kate.  Black Widow.  Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2021.

Smith, Anna.  “‘White, Male, and Brawny Feels Tired’: Is This the Age of Feminist Marvel Movies?” The Guardian, 25 July 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/25/white-male-and-brawny-feels-tired-is-this-the-age-of-feminist-marvel-movies

Wilson, Rasheeda.  “Feminism as a Super Power: Why Captain Marvel Is the Ultimate Female Superhero.”  Antithesis Journal, 18 Apr. 2019, https://www.antithesisjournal.com.au/blog/2019/4/18/feminism-as-a-super-power-why-captain-marvel-is-the-ultimate-female-superhero