Representations of Women in Popular Film: A Study of Gender Inequality in 2018

Abstract

While much attention has been drawn to the lack of diversity in Hollywood, many minority groups still lack equal opportunities in the film industry. Roles for women, in particular, have grown slowly, leaving developed female characters far below proportionality. This study looks at the representation of women in the top-five grossing live-action movies directed by men and the top-five grossing live-action movies directed by women in 2018. Based on background quantitative data as well as a qualitative content analysis, this paper found that portrayals of women are much more positive in movies directed by women and that female directors frame female characters much more positively. These positive portrayals are largely affected by the presence of a critical actor behind the scenes.