The Bechdel test is a method used to determine the representation of women in film. In order to pass the test, a film must feature at least two women who speak to each other on a subject that does not revolve around men. Often, the two women must be named, prominent characters to meet the criteria.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that only about half of all films meet this requirement and the test was initially designed to shed light on the characterization of women in film, especially as something other than being a stereotypical placeholder in the lives of the men in the piece. Thankfully, 2019 saw a heap of great films that passed the Bechdel test while also featuring strong, leading female characters. Ten of the best are featured in the list below.
Captain Marvel
The first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to be headlined by a female performer, Captain Marvel features Brie Larson as the all-powerful titular superhero. She stars alongside several strong female characters who have more pressing issues to worry about than the men in their lives - namely, the fate of the Earth.
The film passes the Bechdel test quite easily, with virtually no mention of men between any two of its female characters. Captain Marvel went on to become a huge hit for Marvel, proving that their female superhero characters are just as popular as any of their male ones.
Always Be My Maybe
This Netflix exclusive romantic comedy stars Ali Wong and Randall Park as old childhood friends who, after going their separate ways into adulthood, reconnect later in life and awkwardly rekindle an old flame. Wong’s character now a celebrity chef with the ambition of opening up a restaurant contrasts with that of Park’s complacent, live-at-home musician.
Being a romance film, there is bound to be mention of the lead characters’ significant others when talking to their friends or family. That said, Always Be My Maybe does a great job in giving their leads more to talk about, especially in the case of Wong’s character, who has plenty going on in her life that doesn’t include a man.
Hustlers
The Jennifer Lopez-starring Hustlers was a breakout hit in 2019 and was based on the true-life story of a group of opportunistic strippers who would swindle rich men out of their cash. The film featured an outstanding, all-female principal cast and passed the Bechdel test with ease.
While the women in this film talk to each other about men, especially in relation to their scheming, Hustlers works as a character study that takes viewers behind the scenes of the strip club and into the lives of these ambitious women. We learn about the struggles they face and the motivating factors that drive them to this line of work, with a sentimental tone for a highly entertaining outcome.
Booksmart
Coming-of-age high-school teen comedies are a staple in cinema, with a new one (or more) released virtually every year. No recent ones have had the same effect as first-time director Oliva Wilde’s Booksmart. This irreverent comedy features plenty of teen-movie tropes but its cultural relevance is unsurpassable.
The film delves into the lives of a pair of book smart teens who, on the verge of graduation, realize they’ve missed out on years of fun and partying. They decide to make up for it in one night, sending them on a hilarious journey of self-discovery, giving them the opportunity to talk about a whole lot more than teenage boys.
Midsommar
The follow-up to Ari Aster’s smash hit horror film Hereditary, Midsommar features rising star Florence Pugh in the lead role as a young woman with a tragic past, who heads to Sweden to attend a mid-summer festival at a cult-like commune with her boyfriend and his friends as a way to get away from the world, and her past. Things quickly turn dark, however, once the community’s disturbing secrets are revealed.
Florence Pugh takes front and center stage here alongside a host of less interesting male characters, in a film where the female characters are running the show. Midsommar is not your typical horror film and it avoids common gender clichés found in the genre’s less subtle offerings, making for an unsettling, yet completely rewarding viewing experience.
Happy Death Day 2U
The groundhog-day inspired Happy Death Day film series from Blumhouse took a peculiar but welcoming turn towards sci-fi horror with 2019’s sequel film, Happy Death Day 2U. As per the first film, our lead (played by Jessica Rothe) is hunted down and killed by a masked killer over and over again, but this time, she and her friends use science to figure out the mystery of the live-die-repeat lifestyle she’s destined to live through.
This film is certainly more of a fun, guilty-pleasure slasher horror than anything else and the themes don’t get too deep. However, with a strong female lead that boasts a survival instinct that can rival any male action hero, Happy Death Day 2U is an entertaining way to break up your viewing agenda of films that pass the Bechdel test.
Avengers: Endgame
The accumulation of 10 years worth of story buildup in the MCU, Avengers: Endgame saw the Infinity Gauntlet saga come to an epic close. Endgame united all of the MCU’s strong female heroines in a battle for the ages against the forces of evil, playing a pivotal part in the saga’s narrative.
Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the daughters of the mad titan Thanos (Josh Brolin), are mostly to thank for Endgame’s passing of the Bechdel test. The dialogue between them often references their strained relationship, which also makes for some of the best character-building and sub-plots out of all the MCU films.
Knives Out
Rian Johnson’s highly acclaimed murder-mystery film Knives Out sees an affluent family under suspicion of murdering their patriarch, with the humble housekeeper Marta (Ana de Armas) stuck in the middle of it all. While most of the talk revolves around the head of the deceased family, there are a couple of instances where the female characters talk about things other than men, though the topics are not very profound.
This film is one that mostly scrapes through passing the Bechdel test. Knives Out is worth watching for its quirky characters, excellent story that’s full of twists and turns, and Johnson’s expert direction. It was one of the year’s best for a reason, after all.
Fighting with My Family
Florence Pugh’s second appearance on this list comes from a film at the opposite end of the thematic spectrum (showing that Pugh can really do it all), in 2019’s Fighting with My Family. The film is based on real-life WWE Wrestler Paige’s rise to fame in the professional wrestling industry and the trials and tribulations that went with it.
This film has it all, which is why it ranks so high on this list. It’s uplifting, inspirational, funny, sad, dramatic, and heartfelt, all neatly wrapped in one entertaining package. The film sees Pugh’s character interact with many other females, and often about matters that offer more insight into the wrestling industry and family in general.
The Farewell
Another film that’s equal parts funny as it is sad is Lulu Wang’s standout film of 2019, The Farewell. It follows the story of a Chinese-American family whose mother is dying from cancer, and based on tradition, the family is not allowed to pass on the news. They all head back to China to be with her near the end, opening up many profound discussions about life, death, family, culture, and what it means to love someone unconditionally.
There are several female characters in The Farewell and the film’s subject matter allows the writers to inject some thought-provoking dialogue into the script, making for an excellent example of a film that meets the Bechdel test requirements.
