Credit card Quote by Carina Chocano
““I'd been so tired of 'strong female characters' for so long by then. I was so tired of the way female strength was made to look cold and humorless; the way it was characterized as deviant and 'unnatural' and always lonely and exceptional. I was tired of the grim undertone of tragedy that lurked under its surface. 'Strong female characters' were never funny, and they never had any fun, either. More often than not, they were celibate, friendless, and clinically depressed. Their monomaniacal devotion to crime fighting made them lean, cranky, and impatient. Naturally, they had axes to grind: they were avenging brides, poker-faced assassins, gloomy ninjas with commitment issues. Who were these characters? What were they trying to tell us? Why didn't they ever say goodbye before hanging up the phone? And why were they always being reborn or remade as killing machines after losing everything they held dear? ...I don't want to see another symbolic woman start all over again. I want to see the symbolic world change to acknowledge her existence. I don't want to see a young girl get a makeover or go shopping with her boyfriend's credit card. I want to watch her blow up the Death Star - metaphorically, of course.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing female representation, 2020
Critique of stereotypical strong female characters lacking depth, humor, and relatability, urging broader, nuanced portrayals.
In simple terms: Strong women are often shown as cold and lonely, lacking fun.
Demand richer, varied female roles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- film criticism
- writing workshops
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What would a truly balanced female hero look like?
- How can creators avoid one‑dimensional tropes?
May ignore progress already made in diverse portrayals.