Gender in Film

Laura Mulvey
Laura Mulvey coined the term of male gaze this is the idea that the audience is put into the perspective of a heterosexual man. This is normally accentuated through the lighting and camera angles that are used for example the way in which the camera focuses on a woman's' body.

The theory argues that this denies women human identity as they are only seen as sexual objects and are only seen through a man perspective. Often the female characters are non-essential and only exist in relation to the man. Mulvey argues that there are only two reasons that female characters are included in film:
1. As an erotic object for the characters within the narrative to view.
2. As an erotic object for the spectators in the cinema to view.

The types of roles which the characters carry out through the narrative are also different. The make characters typically carry out the the "active role" as the male characters often push the narrative whereas the female characters either slow the narrative down or inspire male characters to act and thus are seen as objects for male attraction and "passive characters".

Anthony Giddens
Argues that clinging to dominant versions of masculinity, based on a supposed superiority to women is a common reaction between men of all ages and could be one of the reasons that lead to domestic violence. Traditionally masculine characters are portrayed in media and fim constantly for example James Bond who is seen as very charming and witty but also very powerful.  James Bond constantly has to save women and so it could be argued that they are just damsels in distress. On the other hand traditionally men are also the perpetrates of the crimes in horrors such as Freddy Kruger and Buffalo Bill.

Women in psychological thrillers
In recent psychological thrillers female characters often seen as quite strong for example India in Stoker is a very strong character also in Gone girl Amy Dunne is presented as a mentally unstable but very smart woman who can easily manipulate. In our narrative we want the audience to sympathize with the girls and so we will present them as vulnerable and unable to change their situation.