Even if you’re staying in and are completely alone in quarantine, you can still watch some ladies SLAY (the screen). Lucky for us, Netflix and Hulu are overflowing with shows and movies that you can stream while relaxing in the safety of your own home. Below is a list that I have compiled of five women-centric movies and TV shows all for your empowerment.
Virginia & Vita (Hulu): If you’ve heard of the famous writer Virginia Woolf, then you might know that she had an intense love affair with a married woman, Vita. This movie gives viewers a glimpse into that (real-life) affair between Vita and Virginia. What’s even cooler, it shows how the same affair led to Woolf writing her book Orlando: A Biography.
Good Girls (First two seasons on Netflix/ some of the third season on Hulu): Two sisters and a best friend join together to commit some organized crime. You watch them struggle with financial and personal turmoil and try to take control over their lives back. Sprinkle in some laughs and badassery, and you can call that a fantastic night of binge watching Good Girls.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Hulu): Unless you’re fluent in french, this movie requires subtitles. But, don’t be alarmed- it is easy to follow along. In a Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a painter visits a woman’s house where she is tasked with painting a woman who can’t know she is going to be painted. Warning: the fire isn’t the only thing that gets hot in this movie.
Workin’ Moms (Netflix): Even if you’re not a mom, you’ll relate to this hysterical TV series. This series follows moms, some of which are best friends and others that slowly become close in their crazy expeditions as mothers. We get a look into the uglier bits of what it means to be a woman and all the beautiful moments as well.
20th Century Women (Netflix): This movie is one of my all time favorites. It is set in 1979 and the lead character is a single mom trying to figure out how to help raise her son to be a man. The trick is- she wants to have two other women help raise him, instead of a man. One woman, Abby exposes him to feminism and the other helps him understand how to be ‘cool.’ It’s a truly well-written movie that inspires and encourages introspection.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (Hulu): While there are other leads, Detective Benson is a major lead in this show. Watch her along with her partner detectives fight sex crimes and abuse. Personally, this show elicits hope for me, as a woman. This is because it gives a voice to victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence through the various investigated crimes.
Top of the Lake (Hulu): This is another show with a strong female detective lead. It follows the life of a woman who returns to her hometown and ends up investigating the impregnation of a 12 year old girl who is the daughter of a drug lord. It is intense, but so worth the watch. The lead is pretty hardcore.
There are so many more shows and films you can stream during these trying times that introduce strong female characters, you just might have to do some digging. Remember, we will get through this one day at a time. So, don’t forget, you’re a strong, capable woman who can make it through anything! If you need a reminder, press play on one of these recommendations and get empowered.
Written by Kenzie Jade