25 Well-Written Female Characters That Still Deserve Applause

Women in media were often depicted as helpless or mere eye candy supporting male heroes. But thanks to pioneering actresses and strong writing, dynamic female characters began to take centre stage. From the serious role of Trinity from Matrix to iconic teenage schoolgirl Buffy Summers from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, these well-cast roles resonated with audiences, inspiring many to admire or emulate them. Scroll down for a list of favourites from a recent discussion thread on Reddit.

#1

Image source: AJerkForAllSeasons, The Silence of the Lambs

Clarice Starling.

#2

Image source: Piyushmessi10

Ellen Ripley in Alien

#3

Image source: Skoofer, Boss452

Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow & Sicario.

#4

Image source: ImperatorRomanum, Star Wars

Leia Organa.

#5

Image source: Cowcat0, X-Files

Ripley is the ultimate Queen. Gotta add Scully from the X-Files. Smart, level headed, can take care of herself and kick a*s when needed.

#6

Image source: puppiesandrainbows3, Buffy

Buffy Summers. Incredibly brave, honest, smart, kind, but still a teenage girl having to deal with teenage girl problems like popularity at school, homework & grades, being a good big sister, dating boys (most of whom are vampires), a hellmouth at her high school, and trying to save the world from the apocalypse.

#7

Image source: Successful-Ad4251, Terminator 2

Tv? Sarah Conner from the Sarah Conner Chronicles.

Movie? Sarah Conner from the Terminator movies

No matter the format, or who played her she always kicked a*s and was smart as hell.

#8

Image source: Spock-1701, Avengers

Emma Peel.

#9

Image source: Pheerandlowthing, The Matrix

TV – Carol in The Walking Dead

Trinity – The Matrix.

#10

Image source: Indoorsman101, FARGO

You picked the GOAT op

I’d add Furiosa, Clarice Starling and Marge Gunderson.

#11

Image source: Krinks1, Fringe

Olivia Dunham in Fringe.

#12

Image source: AbsolutelyNotAPossum, The Expanse

Some of my favorites:

Camina Drummer – The Expanse

Kira Nerys – Deep Space Nine

Dana Scully – The X-Files.

#13

Image source: Mysterious_Travel669, Parks and Recreation

The women from the people who wrote The Office/Parks and Rec/Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place.

Specifically Leslie Knope.

#14

Seven of Nine, especially in Star Trek: Picard.

(Honorable mention to Catherine Janeway).

Image source: mikefrombarto

#15

Image source: thehound48, Rogue One

Jyn Erso.

#16

Image source: sWo97, Kill Bill: Vol 2

Beatrix Kiddo and Oren Ishi

Strong willed, skilled, flawed, vulnerable and able to overcome their disadvantages.

#17

Image source: KyorlSadei, Fifth Element

I always loved Leeloo in Fifth Element.

#18

Image source: Zealousideal-Pay3937, Better Call Saul

Kim Wexler, Better Call Saul.

#19

Image source: pman13531, Netflix

Jessica Jones in the Netflix show.

#20

Image source: delifte, The Long Kiss Goodnight

Geena Davis in the Long Kiss Goodnight

Amy Adams in Arrival

Jackie Brown.

#21

Image source: TUGBoat85007, Babylon 5

Delenn, Susan Ivanova, Lyra Alexander- Babylon 5.

#22

Image source: TremontRemy, The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen.

#23

Image source: Dan_flashes480, RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE

Alice in Resident Evil and the Bride in K**l Bill.

#24

Image source: loulara17, Battlestar Galactica

Laura Roslin – BSG.

#25

Image source: neisaysthis, Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars! Villanelle and Eve Polastri and Carolyn Martens! Lorelai Gilmore! Emily Gilmore!