The "Problem" with Female Superhero Films Pt. 2: Relational Power Dynamics

In an earlier post, I discussed the problem with female-led superhero film franchises as it relates to the issues of violence against women. Today, I want to examine another issue related to the lack of female-led superhero franchises: relationships.

In the last post, I talked about chivalry in regards to the notion that it is the duty of a man to protect a woman and the upending of this dynamic with a female superhero. Now, we also need to look at another aspect of this not related to the violence but rather related to the power dynamics of male-female relationships. 

When we look at the major superhero franchises, there is often a romantic partner for the male superhero. In the case of a Lois Lane-type character, this romantic interest will often find herself needing to be rescued by the hero often in a climactic scene. For example, in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman had to make a choice about rescuing either his mother or Lois Lane from the villainous exploits of Lex Luthor. We see this similar scenario play out time and again in the superhero film franchises. The MCU is better about giving their romantic female leads some agency to make decisions and rescue themselves rather than relying solely on the superhero to save them. In the first Captain America film, it is clear that Peggy Carter is perfectly capable of saving herself, and we do see Pepper Potts in the Iron Man films exercising her own abilities to try and save herself and others.

Now what might this mean for a female-led superhero franchise? The dynamic for any romantic entanglements of female superhero would either need to be one of equal power (i.e. the male in the relationship is also a superhero) or the man would need to take on the characteristics usually associated with a woman in a romantic relationship. This is perhaps the most problematic for viewers due to deeply ingrained gender roles. 

As a culture, we still very much question the masculinity of men who require help assistance, particularly if this assistance is provided by a woman. It is not considered to be within the confines of normal male-female relational power dynamics for the man to be dependent upon the woman in order to be saved. Instead, the power of the relationship in all aspects should lay with the man. Any aspect of a relationship in which the woman exerts power over the man is viewed with ridicule. As a society, we question the masculinity of a man who requires his female companion to fight his battles. This is a trope within the comedy genre in particular and usually results in a man being called by any number of denigrating terms, most of which are closely aligned with feminine traits or female anatomy. This perpetuates the culture of toxic masculinity and the alpha male.

This upheaval of the socially acceptable gender power dynamics can be uncomfortable for audiences including both men and women. It is encouraging that we are progressing as a society so much so that we are starting to see more female-centric superhero characters. Even if it is not the Wonder Woman film we deserve, it does bring me some joy to know that the film is being made. I am even more encouraged by the Captain Marvel film on the horizon as Marvel Studios has shown that it better knows how to handle the female hero in a more positive way than what DC has been able to deliver so far. This doesn’t mean that there are no issues with the handling of women in the MCU; it’s just been consistently better.