It has been a while since I wrote an article recommending movies. But here we are again! I don’t want to expose myself here, but honestly, for the past few months, I’ve been watching films, shows, and YouTube videos that I have already seen in the past over and over again. That can be frustrating for a film fanatic (like me) who is supposed to enjoy discovering new content but not so much for a university student (also me) about to begin their final projects after a hectic semester. Can you relate? But I look forward to the winter break and watching all the movies and shows I have on my extensive watch list. Such as, films that include projects directed by women! So, here are three recent films directed by women that I promise will make you laugh, feel happy, cry, question life, and feel angry at some point but empowered in the end!
Fair Play (2023), directed by Chloe Domont
Available on Netflix, Fair Play is an erotic psychological thriller with touches of drama that mainly explores toxic masculinity, competition in the workplace, narcissism, egocentrism, and gender equality.
Emily, played by Phoebe Dynevor, and Luke, played by Alden Ehrenreich, are a young couple in a secretive relationship. They are both analysts at One Crest Capital, a cutthroat Manhattan hedge fund with a strict policy of ‘not dating coworkers.’ Problems started rising in their relationship when Luke proposed to Emily at his brother’s wedding, and she ‘happily’ accepted but had to keep things private. The day after, a manager at work gets fired, and Emily overhears her colleagues discussing that Luke might get the promotion, so she shares the news with him. However, things take an unexpected turn when Emily receives the promotion instead due to her talent and character at work. As a result, Luke starts feeling increasingly resentful over not being promoted, which leads to tensions in his relationship with Emily.
Bottoms (2023), directed by Emma Seligman
Bottoms is a dark comedy and a woke coming-of-age film that explores feminism and the importance of finding a community as a young woman. It is available for streaming on Prime Video.
PJ and Josie, two nerdy best friends who also happen to be lesbians, played by Rachel Sennott (also a co-writer of the film) and Ayo Edebiri, respectively. They are in their final year of high school and feel like they don’t fit in with the popular crowd. They have missed out on partying, dating, and sex, which seems to be the norm among their classmates. One day, PJ proposes the idea to Josie of creating an only-girls fight club to win over their crushes, Brittany, played by Kaia Gerber, and Isabel, played by Harvana Rose Liu, who struggle in toxic heteronormative relationships. However, neither PJ nor Josie is qualified to teach self-defense, which makes this movie hilarious and realistic, as it portrays a world in which women are never taught how to defend themselves. So they need to start from the bottom to the top. Yet, there are consequences of using feminism and solidarity within women for one’s advantage, and PJ and Josie will face those consequences.
The Pod Generation (2023), directed by Sophie Barthes
The Pod Generation is a sci-fi romantic comedy set in a not-so-distant future where AI assistants manage domestic duties, apps track diets, and artificial wombs enable pregnancy. It is available for rent on YouTube.
If I had to pick a favourite from this list, this movie would be the one I recommend most to watch.
Rachel, played by Emilia Clarke, and Alvy, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, are a New York couple ready to take their relationship to the next level and start a family. Thanks to Rachel’s work and high position, the couple has a one-time chance to fast-track to the top of the Pegasus waiting list. Pegasus is a tech company that offers detachable artificial wombs for equal pregnancy sharing. Rachel is interested in exploring the opportunities by Pegasus to keep growing personally and, most importantly, professionally. But Alvy, a botanist, and devoted purist, has doubts. Regardless, his love for Rachel prompts him to have faith. And so begins the wild ride to parenthood in this brave new world and story with twists, turns, and bumps.