From renowned executives to ruthless crime bosses, these women are unapologetically driven to succeed, no matter what the cost.
Society often depicts women as weak and fragile, and movies play a significant role in perpetuating this portrayal. But it’s time to challenge these misconceptions. These remarkable women, Elisabeth Sparkle, Lee Quinzel, Ani, Skye Riley, and Agatha Harkness – are strong women who are here to defy the norm and demonstrate that women are more than capable of achieving greatness, regardless of the challenges they face.
From the viewpoint of women, they are often perceived as being oppressed by a system dominated by males. Female characters in films have a significant impact on our perception of the world. We have compiled a list of female characters who embody a “girl boss” mindset and exhibit determination, regardless of the challenges they encounter.
1. Elisabeth Sparkle - The Substance
Demi Moore starts in The Substance, which was recognized as the top horror film of the year on letterboxd. Critics have praised this skin-crawling horror film for its exploration of beauty, ageism, and the perils of societal beauty standards. Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle whose aspirations and pursuit of success come at a significant cost, prompting a reflection on the mindset of deserving better and striving for more. Tagged as Demi Moore’s career-defining performance, she has the power to turn ruthless when it’s needed. Although unfamiliar with it, she stated “To be completely transparent, body horror is not a genre I was extremely familiar with.” Her portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle is one for the books and is deemed to spice up the Oscar buzz. Demi truly went in the zone for the unfamiliar, doing it all along just to give the role justice.
2. Lee Quinzel - JOKER Folie à Deux
The long-awaited sequel, JOKER Folie à Deux, introduces Lady Gaga as the iconic comic character Lee Quinzel, an obsessed woman determined to win the heart of Arthur Fleck, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. She is stylish and determined, willing to do anything to achieve her goal, despite a ruthless past. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian says, “Lady Gaga brings a sly and manipulative malice to her role: Harley is secretive, smart, and genuinely disturbed in a way that Arthur or Joker perhaps isn’t. Is she to be the Lady Macbeth of DC supervillainy?”, While the singer-songwriter and actress delivered a memorable performance as Lee Quinzel, a character close to her nature, she also showcased her musical talents in the film. Others also mentioned how Gaga is differently ruthless than the other portrayals of Harley Quinn. It seems like she brought this woman to life in her interpretation. Movie Critic Pete Hammond wrote, “Gaga is smartly low-key, not the Harley Quinn we associate with Margot Robbie, but her person, dressed down and believably showing affection and connection with Joker and, more importantly, the man behind the makeup.”
3. Ani - Anora
The debate around sex work has always been contentious, with conservative and liberal factions arguing fiercely over whether it should be accepted. However, the issue goes beyond just providing pleasure for men. It’s also about expressing confidence and self-assurance. Labeling someone as a prostitute should not give others a free pass to disrespect Ani of Anora. Despite this, she still deserves to be loved. Mikey Madison, who plays Ani in Anora prepared differently for this role, with a strong motivation to deliver her best, and she succeeded! Her performance is considered “a performance for the ages.” She also mentioned how dedicated she was to this film, saying, “I think I prepared even more than I needed to, honestly.” Her determination to portray the role was impressive she had to resort to preparing thoroughly to slay her craft.
4. Skye Riley - Smile 2
Skye Riley is a star, portrayed by Naomi Scott and her charisma exudes a style that can attract a large fanbase. Despite the challenges she faces, the pop star within her is determined to overcome obstacles and achieve success. She is compelled to confront her dark past to regain control of her life before it unravels, and she is willing to do whatever it takes. She is bringing this character to life. As she is a pop star, she has access to far more people than Rose from the first installment ever did.
5. Agatha Harkness - Agatha All Along 2
Agatha Harkness, a centuries-old witch, uses her powerful spells to protect others and train beings in the art of magic. She signifies high power and governs the witches of Salem, Massachusetts. She attempts to lead them in fighting against their persecution, believing that they can only grow by standing up to their oppressors. In the new series, you know damn well, Kathryn Hahn knows how to play a badass character as she adeptly shifts from a reserved demeanor, then shifts to a nervous body language to confident and powerful body language in just 3 seconds. With the desire to obtain more of the magic beneath their world, she can’t resist a little magical mischief. Showrunner of Agatha All Along Jac Schaeffer adds, ‘Generally at Marvel, there’s always a quest to have villains that are not just one-note, and Agatha is the ultimate example of that. She’s so complicated has so many different dimensions and is never about world domination. There’s always something personal, nefarious, and complex.’
These women, despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, have always had to prove themselves in a world where men often deem them weak and hold them to a different standard. Yet, their aspirations and goals remain valid, and they are destined for much more.
