My Top Films Reflecting on International Women’s Day

It’s such an important time right now to be reflecting on womanhood- all the trials our sex have endured and borne but, more imperatively, all we have overcome, all we have accomplished and all that we contribute to this world. Whether in the workforce, politics, science, or our own personal lives, women have continuously reshaped the world for the better.

This moment in time also invites us to reflect on what Womanhood truly means - how it has been defined, how it's currently considered and how the definition may continue to grow and adapt. And I think there’s no better medium to ruminate on these musings than film. It’s through stories that we can connect with one another, reflect on shared struggles, celebrate triumphs, and challenge ourselves to think critically about the future.   

Today, I want to share with you 4 films that deeply resonated with me and my own experience of what it means to be a woman in today’s world. These films not only depict women in complex and nuanced ways, but they also provoke thought about our personal and collective journeys.

Promising Young Woman

Promising Young Woman is a modern reimagining of justice and vengeance through the eyes of a woman who has been irrevocably scarred by the trauma of her past. Cassie, the film's protagonist, represents a generation of women who have felt the weight of systemic injustices, particularly around sexual assault and the culture of victim-blaming. What makes Promising Young Woman so powerful is how it navigates the complexity of victimhood, revenge, and accountability while simultaneously challenging the societal expectations placed on women to be "good" or "pure."

Cassie’s journey is messy, painful, and, at times, unsettling. Her pursuit of justice is personal but also universal in its themes of confronting trauma and fighting back against a culture that often excuses harmful behavior. The film asks us to consider what happens when women demand justice on their own terms, without waiting for society to deliver it. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity, power, and the consequences of silence. This movie is a stark reminder that women’s stories, particularly those involving trauma, are complex and deserving of the space to be heard without judgment.

Where The Crawdads Sing

In Where The Crawdads Sing, the story of Kya Clark is one of survival, resilience, and the deep connection to the land. This film is a testament to the strength of women who have been abandoned or overlooked by society. Kya, a young girl raised in isolation in the marshlands of North Carolina, faces the most heart-wrenching challenges: loss, abandonment, loneliness, and the prejudice of others. Yet, she grows into a woman who finds her own power and voice, all while staying true to the beauty and wisdom of her natural surroundings.

The film delves into themes of solitude and the societal expectations of women to conform to certain roles. Kya's journey reminds us that the strength of a woman is not always found in traditional forms of success or acceptance. Sometimes, it lies in the quiet persistence of survival, in claiming one’s autonomy and voice in the face of constant adversity. It’s a poignant reflection on the power of self-discovery, and how often, women’s strength is underestimated or misunderstood when it doesn’t look like what society expects it to be. It’s also a gorgeous tale of what I think is one of the greatest powers we have as women: the ability to keep our own secrets. To live out the truth in our own hearts, sometimes keeping our secrets even from those we love most. At the end of the day, the strongest woman is her own best friend - placing her faith, trust and power only in herself, relying on no one else for permission or forgiveness or strength.

Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich is a powerful film based on the true story of a woman who, despite lacking formal legal training, took on a massive corporation in a fight for justice. Erin Brockovich’s tenacity and fearlessness in confronting a large corporation responsible for contaminating the water supply of a small town serve as a poignant example of how one individual, especially a woman, can catalyze enormous change. What makes Erin's story so compelling is her refusal to be dismissed due to her gender, appearance, or lack of traditional qualifications.

Erin’s story is not just about legal victory; it’s about standing up for those who have been silenced, using one’s voice and unique perspective to uncover the truth, and confronting power structures head-on. The film highlights the often-overlooked ways in which women contribute to social justice, especially when they fight for the marginalized. Erin Brockovich embodies the spirit of relentless advocacy and the power of believing in one’s own ability to make a difference, regardless of external limitations.

Wild

Wild is another film that deeply resonates with the exploration of womanhood, independence, and the urge to break free. Based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir, the film follows her journey of self-discovery and healing as she hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone. It's a profound narrative of a woman pushing her physical and emotional limits in search of freedom and redemption. What makes Wild particularly compelling is the way it portrays a woman grappling with her past, her grief, and her sense of identity, all while testing her own capabilities in the wilderness.

Cheryl's journey is a beautiful depiction of the human urge to be independent, self-sufficient, and to escape the confines of societal expectations. It's about confronting one’s fears, overcoming personal demons, and asserting one’s place in the world. However, one of the most striking elements of Wild is that, despite being in the remote wilderness, the greatest threat Cheryl encounters isn't the harsh elements or the challenging terrain—it's a man.

This moment in the film serves as a stark reminder of the lingering dangers that women face in the world, even when they’re physically isolated and seemingly removed from society. It harkens back to that viral internet study asking women whether they would be more scared to encounter a bear or a man while alone in the wilderness. For many women, the fear of encountering a man, regardless of the setting, still carries an immense weight, shaped by personal experience and societal history of gendered violence. This juxtaposition of freedom and danger encapsulates the duality of womanhood—seeking liberation while constantly navigating the reality of living in a world where safety is never guaranteed.

In the end, Wild challenges the viewer to think about the complexities of female independence: the joy of claiming space for oneself, the strength found in overcoming hardship, and the undeniable reality that the world can still be a dangerous place for women, no matter how far they go to escape it.

Female Filmmakers

I’d be remiss not to mention that these films not only highlight the female experience, they embody it as well since female filmmakers made vital contributions to each of them. Director Olivia Newman brought Where the Crawdads Sing to life, adapting Delia Owens' bestselling novel into a compelling mystery about resilience and isolation, with Polly Morgan serving as the cinematographer. Morgan’s stunning visuals helped capture the natural beauty and emotional depth of the story and she drew upon her own experiences growing up in the south to develop the visual language. In Erin Brockovich, director Steven Soderbergh collaborated with screenwriter Susannah Grant to craft the story of the real-life environmental crusader, with Julia Roberts delivering an iconic performance. And, obviously, Erin Brokovich herself is a real person whose remarkable story inspired this film and who continues to use the notoriety she gained in its making to fight for environmental protections and working class rights. Wild, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir, saw Reese Witherspoon producing and starring in the role of Strayed, as she embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Reece is well known for her ambition to produce stories that highlight and celebrate strong female characters. Finally, Promising Young Woman was written and directed by Emerald Fennell, a powerhouse auteur director who brilliantly tackles controversial themes and constantly pushes boundaries with her bold, brilliant work. Each of these projects demonstrates the powerful impact of women in shaping narratives that are both personal and socially relevant.

Reimagining Womanhood

These films are not just stories of individual women. They are reflections of the broader female experience, touching on themes of resilience, justice, survival, and the unspoken power of women to change the world. Each of these films sheds light on different aspects of womanhood, from reclaiming agency after trauma, to standing up against systemic injustice, to finding strength in solitude and adversity.

As we continue to reflect on the progress women have made, we must also consider the ongoing struggles, the battles that remain to be fought, and the evolving definition of what it means to be a woman in today’s world. Films like these offer us a space to reflect, challenge, and reimagine. They invite us to question not just how far we’ve come, but how far we still have to go—and what kind of future we can create, together.