Today, the landscape is noticeably better, but far from equal.
Forget the damsel in distress. The most formidable action stars are now grandmothers. Helen Mirren has anchored the Fast & Furious franchise and Hobbs & Shaw . Charlize Theron (48) performed bone-crushing stunts in Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard . The appeal is obvious: a woman who has survived decades of struggle brings a psychological weight to physical combat that a rookie cannot fake.
If you're interested in a movie that features a similar theme, you might enjoy a story about a group of friends who start a lemonade stand and learn valuable lessons about business, friendship, and community.
: Mentorship programs like the AFI Directing Workshop for Women are vital.