Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani, Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Culture.
From Silent Film Daredevils to Modern Superheroines: The Legacy of Female Action Stars
Women in Action: Celebrating Female Strength in Cinema's Boldest Roles
The assumption that action films are primarily a male domain overlooks a rich history of female action stars who have showcased strength, skill, and daring from the earliest days of cinema. From silent film stunt women to today’s powerful heroines, women have long pushed the boundaries of what it means to be an action star on screen.
When many think of action films, iconic male figures such as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Lee might come to mind. Yet, the evolution of action cinema also includes numerous trailblazing women. As curator Timon Singh points out, female action stars have been present since the silent era, and their contributions continue to challenge and redefine the genre.
Breaking Boundaries: Early Action Heroines and "Serial Queens"
In the 1910s, serial films captivated audiences with episodic thrillers featuring strong female protagonists. Pearl White, dubbed the "peerless, fearless girl," became famous for performing her own stunts in The Perils of Pauline (1914). With cliff jumping and high speed chases, White’s work embodied resilience and daring at a time when women were fighting for suffrage. Other pioneers included Helen Gibson in The Hazards of Helen (1914-17), who fearlessly performed stunts like leaping from moving trains, defying both industry expectations and societal norms about "womanly" behavior.
These "serial queens" established a lineage of female action stars willing to risk life and limb, creating a template of fearlessness that would inspire future generations.
The Tough-Girl Action Hero: 1970s to 1990s
As action cinema evolved, the 1970s saw a new wave of female stars who brought martial arts and street smarts to the screen. Blaxploitation star Pam Grier, known for her karate prowess, broke barriers with roles in films like Coffy and Foxy Brown, redefining the tough-girl archetype. In Hong Kong, Michelle Yeoh emerged as a powerhouse, showcasing grace, skill, and resilience in films like Yes Madam! (1985) and Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) alongside Jackie Chan. Despite her lack of formal martial arts training, Yeoh’s commitment to performing her own stunts earned her international acclaim.
Cynthia Rothrock, a world champion martial artist, also found fame in Hong Kong’s action scene, where she showcased complex fight choreography and shattered stereotypes about women in combat roles. Her film Yes Madam! was pivotal in establishing the “girls with guns” sub-genre that has become iconic in Hong Kong cinema.
Female Action Icons of Hollywood
Hollywood joined the trend in the 1980s and 90s with the rise of characters like Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in Alien (1979) and Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). These roles demonstrated that female action heroes could embody both strength and emotional complexity, challenging conventional expectations. By the 2000s, action heroines like Uma Thurman’s Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill (2003-04) and Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft had further cemented the role of women as formidable leads in high-stakes, high-octane action films.
These heroines paved the way for the female led action franchises of today, such as Marvel’s Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Guardians of the Galaxy (Zoe Saldana). Their courage and complexity draw a direct line back to earlier action icons, proving that female strength and agility have always had a place on the big screen.
Challenges and Double Standards in the Industry
Despite their impact, female action stars still face challenges. Stuntwoman Georgia Munroe, known for her work on Jurassic World and Wonder Woman 1984, notes that women in the industry often have to prove themselves repeatedly. “We always have to prove ourselves regardless of our level of experience,” she says, describing the pressure to perform perfectly to avoid judgment. Munroe also highlights the industry’s tendency to prioritize sex appeal over practicality, forcing stuntwomen to perform in costumes that limit movement or provide inadequate protection.
The Global Influence of Female Action Stars
Asian cinema has had a significant influence on female led action films globally. Characters like Meiko Kaji in Lady Snowblood (1973) and Angela Mao in Lady Whirlwind (1972) brought fierce intensity to their roles, inspiring a new wave of action films featuring women. The popularity of these films in Hong Kong and Japan reshaped global perceptions of female power, with directors like Quentin Tarantino openly crediting these characters as inspirations for his own work.
Today, the impact of films like The Woman King (2022) highlights the industry’s growing appreciation for diverse representations of female strength. With women of color leading action films, the genre is expanding to reflect a broader, more inclusive vision of power and resilience.
The Legacy of Stunt Queens and Action Heroines
The legacy of female action stars is celebrated in film retrospectives and cinema seasons like "Art of Action," which showcases iconic performances from women in action roles. Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society (2023), which tells the story of a girl aspiring to be a stuntwoman, reflects the lasting influence of action heroines. The series “Girls Just Wanna Have Guns,” curated by Manzoor, celebrates the diverse lineage of women who have transformed the action genre.
As Munroe says, celebrating these stuntwomen and action heroines is crucial, as they “shape people’s perspectives” and inspire women and girls around the world to pursue strength, courage, and skill. Female action stars continue to redefine what it means to be a hero, reminding audiences that the spirit of resilience and strength transcends gender.
