When the world’s falling apart, we must stick together. At least, that’s the lesson we were supposed to have learned from countless apocalyptic films that emphasized the importance of family and honor. Now that we’re facing an apocalypse, our favorite TV shows and movies seem forgotten. Did we learn nothing from President Whitmore’s speech in Independence Day?
Yet the real heroes of most of these films and TV shows are the women. The women are the ones who are keeping everyone organized and (relatively) calm. They’re the ones finding solutions and furiously defending their families — especially when humans inevitably turn on each other. Let’s take a look at the most powerful women of fictional apocalypses.
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Charlize Theron’s powerful acting easily breaks through layers of makeup.
Furiosa, “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Despite the film’s title, Imperator Furiosa emerges as the true hero, using her immense mental and physical strength to defeat Immortan Joe. Portrayed with the complex layers that Charlize Theron brings to every character, Furiosa is driven by her desire to liberate Joe’s concubines and give them solace in her childhood oasis. She betrays Joe and joins forces with Max, who is escaping Joe’s goons. Even beyond the decidedly feminist backstory of the character, Furiosa leverages a combination of street smarts and brute strength to rescue Max and the concubines. Still, her deep desire for liberation and revenge is palpable, making Furiosa an apocalyptic hero with heart.
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Sarah Michelle Gellar always brought a witty yet girl-next-door quality to her portrayal of Buffy.
Buffy, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
An apocalypse happens so often in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” that the characters struggle to figure out what the plural form of the word is. Of course, the show is about a young woman destined to fight vampires. But as the show progresses, the line between hero and villain becomes a little more blurred. Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) must not only face vampires and demons, but her principal, professor, and even her best friend. While Buffy is sometimes arrogant, entitled, and emotionally distant, her real heroism in the show isn’t slaying the demons: it’s finding a balance between her human connections and the supernatural burden she bears. The show resolves with Buffy sharing her power with all women who are “chosen” rather than maintaining her isolated position. After all, a true leader does not command but rather inspires.
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Emily Blunt’s largely silent yet highly expressive performance in “A Quiet Place.”
Evelyn, “A Quiet Place”
One of several excellent films that scale down the apocalypse genre from its usual epic-ness to a slow burn, A Quiet Place follows a single family who continually evade a race of monsters that hunt by sound. Although all of the performances are amazing, Emily Blunt stands out as Evelyn, a grieving mother who prepares to give birth as the creatures descend upon her family’s farm. Evelyn is diligently focused on protecting and providing for her family. Blunt portrays her with a gravitas that expresses the weight of the world on Evelyn’s shoulders, yet never loses sight of her resourcefulness and emotional support for her loved ones. Her stillness, even in chaos, is admirable.
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Julianne Moore loses her signature red hair for a paler, more angelic look in “Blindness.”
The Doctor’s Wife, “Blindness”
Julianne Moore has brought her signature fierceness to a delightful range of genre films, from the twisted film The Forgotten to the compelling Children of Men to the thunderous Mockingjay films. However, one of her lesser known roles is in the dark thriller Blindness. As a seeing woman in a world where disease has blinded most humans, Moore successfully navigates the heavy sociocultural themes of the story. Her unnamed character devotes herself to her husband as they are quarantined in a concentration camp. However, she emerges as a leader among the inmates, providing emotional and logistical support to them as the world succumbs to chaos. Moore handles the emotional demands of this character with ease and represents a beacon of hope for a world gripped by a pandemic.
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Carol (Kristen Schaal) brings a whimsical yet relatable character to a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Carol, ”The Last Man on Earth”
Although “The Last Man of Earth” is ostensibly a comedy series, it doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, including suicidality, class warfare, and racism. It’s a highly enjoyable and relevant show that was sadly cancelled after four seasons. While star Will Forte was entertaining, it’s Kristen Schaal’s character Carol who provides the emotional heart of the series. Schaal, largely known for her voice work, has amazing emotional range and offers a complex portrayal of an obnoxious yet lovable counterpart to Forte’s manic-depressive hero. It’s a refreshing departure from the apocalypse woman who has to be strong, beautiful, and sexy to fit the narrative. Carol is highly relatable and bracingly real as she navigates both her domestic life and the demands of a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
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Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone depart from their usual personas for “Zombieland.”
Wichita and Little Rock, “Zombieland” and “Zombieland: Double Tap”
Zombieland may be a comedy film, but it’s never been afraid to plumb its characters’ emotional depths. In fact, its characters are delightfully complex, couching their individual motivations in witty dialogue and a bit of scene-chewing. Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) are sisters who might be a little unconventional in their survival methods but share a common goal: to look out for each other. Their focus on family values inspires the Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) to abandon their lone-wolf ways and band together — even if those values involve con artistry. Despite the guns and big trucks, Zombieland has a more powerful message to send: one of resourceful unity in the face of devastation.
As the real world navigates its very own apocalypse, we look for heroes to inspire and guide us. But heroes don’t have to be real-world people. These fictional heroes provide valuable lessons while highlighting the importance of emotional labor and family support during times of crisis. Most of all, they show us that family isn’t something you have, but something you make — and that’s crucial knowledge as we face an uncertain future.
WRITTEN BY
Rachel Wayne
Writer by day, circus artist by night. I write about art, media, culture, health, science, and where they all meet.
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