Part 8/12:
Not every effort at female representation has been unsuccessful—many fans support strong female characters played with depth and authenticity. The problem lies in Hollywood’s tendency to prioritize gender symbolism over good storytelling. When female characters are written as caricatures—overly aggressive or overly perfect—they alienate audiences who crave relatable and human characters.
Moreover, the rise of “Mary Sue” and “girl boss” tropes often results in characters who are self-involved, act against their narrative logic, or combat traditional storytelling conventions. This trend contributes to a general fatigue, as viewers become weary of predictable, heavy-handed portrayals that prioritize ideological messaging over engaging storytelling.