The secret formula for superheroines

Christina Larson has a droll essay in Washington Monthly about how Hollywood has screwed up the female superheroine genre, despite the initial promise from Charlie’s Angels or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show and not the film). The key part: But the good news for Hollywood—and audiences—is that there is an enduring formula that ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

Christina Larson has a droll essay in Washington Monthly about how Hollywood has screwed up the female superheroine genre, despite the initial promise from Charlie's Angels or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show and not the film). The key part:

Christina Larson has a droll essay in Washington Monthly about how Hollywood has screwed up the female superheroine genre, despite the initial promise from Charlie’s Angels or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the TV show and not the film). The key part:

But the good news for Hollywood—and audiences—is that there is an enduring formula that works. Superheroines since the 1970s—from Wonder Woman to Princess Leia, Charlie’s Angels to Lara Croft, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to “Alias’s” Sydney Bristow—have all followed a few simple rules to find success on the big and little screen. And every would-be action babe who has flopped has broken at least one of them. So what’s the secret? 1. Do fight demons. Don’t fight only inner demons. 2. Do play well with others. Don’t shun human society. 3. Do exhibit self-control. Don’t exhibit mental disorders. 4. Do wear trendy clothes. Don’t wear fetish clothes. 5. Do embrace girl power. Don’t cling to man hatred. 6. Do help hapless men. Don’t try to kill your boyfriend. 7. Do toss off witty remarks. Don’t look perpetually sullen.

I would point out that one of Buffy’s best seasons was when she had to try to kill her boyfriend — but that’s nitipicking. Read the whole thing.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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