The famous term “good for her” originated from an episode of “Arrested Development” that soon turned viral on Tumblr in 2010. Since then, the internet has turned the term into an actual definition using various movies and TV shows as examples. The term “good for her” involves a female character reaching a satisfactory ending. Most of the time, this ending involves a good amount of violence to be reached. The most famous example of this genre is Amy Dunne from “Gone Girl.” Dunne’s carefully crafted plan of framing her husband for murder after she catches him cheating on her has caused people to advocate her place in the genre. However, Amy’s cold, calculating nature does not make her a figure to be embodied in the “good for her” genre.
Dani from “Midsommar” is another example of people misdefining the “good for her” genre. Dani’s character in “Midsommar” starts off as being orphaned as her entire family dies from carbon monoxide in a murder-suicide orchestrated by her sister. Dani then travels to a festival in Sweden with her boyfriend and her friends where it is quickly revealed the festival is a cover for the cult they have dangerously mixed in with. The movie ends with a deeply traumatized and drugged-up Dani smiling as her boyfriend gets burned alive in a bear suit along with his friends. Many people have labeled it as a “good” ending for Dani, but it is far from good when you consider how trapped and vulnerable she is in a cult that has fully initiated her.Â
These negative figures overshadow the genre and label themselves as empowering when they are the complete opposite. When I think of the “good for her” genre, a character that comes to mind is Marta from “Knives Out.” Marta’s character is good and kind and she serves as the nurse for Harlan Thrombey, a wealthy novelist. It is no surprise that he dedicates his will to Marta as the film reveals how selfish and greedy the characters all become in the prospect of money. The ending embodies the “good for her” genre as it shows Marta standing over the balcony as the new inheritor of Harlon’s assets, looking down at his greedy family members. The sequel “Glass Onion” also shows the same impact when Helen gets justice for her twin sister who died at the hands of egocentric billionaire Miles.Â
Another fault of the “good for her” genre is that it typically praises white female characters. Would the same reception be met if the female character was LGBTQ+? A woman of color? Amy Dunne is commonly praised for framing her cheating husband, but would it be different if she was not white?Â
However, despite these flaws, the “good for her” genre has produced movies and TV shows that empower women and produce joy at seeing women succeed. “Why Women Kill” is a show that follows the lives of three different women living in different decades who deal with their failing marriages. I have to include “Matilda” on the list even though it seems like the biggest outlier. “Om Shanti Om” is also a film I include on this list because it was satisfying for eight-year-old me to see the villain burn alive after witnessing all that heartbreak.
The “good for her” genre can produce films that empower women and see them break free from their situations while also remaining diverse.Â