The number of movies featuring female rage and revenge has rapidly grown in the past several years. Although these films aren’t for everyone, they can be highly satisfying to women (and anyone else) who enjoy seeing the scales balanced. Some of their actions may be “wrong,” but others find themselves relating and wanting to see the women exact their revenge.
1. Gone Girl (2014)
I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I would be surprised if you’ve gone this many years without watching this movie. Gone Girl is known for keeping you in suspense and will take a few twists and turns. Who you’ll be rooting for by the end will depend heavily on your interpretation of the film.
2. Promising Young Woman (2020)
Not sure how far a woman would go to exact revenge—whether it’s for herself or another woman? This movie may be triggering for some, so watchers beware, but there is a strong theme of female fury and revenge throughout the film.
3. Mean Girls (2004)
One viewer said that Mean Girls is a teen comedy that “beautifully captures high school feminine rage and how it ranges from loud to quiet and insidious.” Although the Plastics victimizes some characters, many characters in the movie come off as a villain at one point or another.
4. First Wives Club (1996)
This is a movie I grew up watching with my parents, and I always appreciated the power the women held by banding together and standing up to their abusive husbands. It still holds to this day as a woman taking back her power movie, although some might find the misandry offensive. Many fans say that this is the perfect post-breakup or cheer-up film.
5. Hereditary (2018)
Years later, fans are still shocked that Toni Collette didn’t win an Oscar for her overall performance and the moments she perfectly captured feminine, motherly rage. A fan said, “Toni Colette is a global treasure and always understands the assignment. She eats scripts and gives us gold every single time.”
6. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s appetite for human boys lends itself perfectly to a movie that lets teen girls bask in feminine rage. This was many people’s example of a “good for her!” rage movie. Many fans said it’s their all-time favorite movie, and they only wish Jennifer had taken more victims.
7. Hard Candy (2005)
This movie comes with a significant trigger warning – but if you can stomach the content and subject matter, it may give some folks a feeling of satisfaction or vengeance. Elliot Page and Patrick Wilson both give chilling performances that have stuck with viewers, myself included, for years.
8. Carrie (1976)
Carrie is considered one of the best examples of female revenge and rage by many movie buffs, especially horror fans. Some say that the book offers even more satisfying moments of destruction. This film has heavily influenced many movies and TV shows made since.
9. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Fans had a lot to say about this classic film, stating that it has incredible female character development and one of the most iconic endings to a movie. In addition to discussing female fury, one fan mentioned that their “friendship and devotion to one another” was something they’d never seen before.
10. Kill Bill (2003)
Arguably one of Tarantino’s best films/series, Kill Bill became a cult classic. It’s gory and illustrates what happens when someone pursues revenge at the expense of losing their own humanity.
