Top 5 feminist movies to watch on Netflix

Updated article, originally published on April 23, 2022

If Netflix is ​​not stingy with awful productions and other slightly mischievous family thrillers, it also does not forget to give pride of place to progressivism through fictions that highlight women.

Here is our selection of different and varied films like feminists.

Moxie, by Amy Poehler, to watch on Netflix

Moxie raises a coy punch, but a punch nonetheless.

In this fiction inspired by the homonymous novel by Jennifer Mathieu published in 2015, Hadley Robinson is Vivian Carter, a high school student known for not causing a sensation. Vivian is a good student, not a very party girl, and she spends most of her time remaking the world with her best friend Claudia at her high school desks while she eats triangular sandwiches.

Vivian dreams of sweaty love with Seth Acosta, who gained seven centimeters during the summer holidays, going from “shrimp” to love interests principal. But not only.

Vivian is looking for herself, she wants to push back the boundaries of the boxes that have always defined her, she wants to have less restricted opinions.

No doubt to blame Lucy, the new student, determined not to let the boys of the school take over. Because it must be said that these guys with a huge ego have a more than reprehensible attitude.

They annoy the news, they issue awards for the girl with the best ass, the fuckiest, the most cheeky; they indulge in inappropriate gestures, heavy observations of meaning, heavy in short. Not to mention frankly serious.

In short, they reign as undisputed masters over an institution that never punishes them. Worse yet, these beardless executioners are glorified as soccer team captains, jocks, or just pen holders!

These injustices, this primary sexism, Vivian, encouraged by Lucy’s riots and her mother’s past engagement, has decided not to leave them any more space.

To do this, publish an anonymous review denouncing sexism at her school and has dozens of copies in the girls’ bathrooms. Inside, she encourages girls to draw stars and hearts on their hands as a sign of coalition.

Get out of patriarchy, hello equality and consideration. In any case, fight for them.

This will be initially kind, then more severe, it will be carried by heroines with very different profiles, and also by Seth, an ally of the feminist cause.

The Lost Daughter, by Maggie Gyllenhaal, to watch on Netflix

Let’s totally change the tune with this beautiful multi-Oscar-nominated drama, which evolves in a postcard setting. A Greek island, on which one projects oneself with ease, equipped with a large hat, sunglasses, book under one’s arm. This is the vacation that a professor of comparative literature, Leda (played by the fantastic Olivia Coleman), has decided to spend.

Alone, she is determined to have fun, to read on the beach, to eat at the restaurant or on its terrace with good Greek dishes. But without counting on an American family whose reunions disturb the apparent calm of the beach and whose members don’t want to worry about the presence of this mysterious tourist.

Leda begins to develop a slight obsession with a young mother of this noisy tribe, Nina (Dakota Johnson), in which he recognizes himself. She the latter is only a little free in her movements, her daughter being constantly hung around her neck.

When the little girl loses her doll, a kind of comforter she can’t live without, things start to go badly for everyone…

Mothers dissected by The lost daughter they are all in nuances and reveal complexity and ambivalence of motherhood. This film tells us that women with children can be too something other than mothers : intellectuals, lovers, people who want to enjoy what life has to offer…

Elise and Marcelloby Isabel Coixet, on Netflix

We rarely talk about Iberian novels, yet the Spaniards are not the last when it comes to appealing to great feelings.

The test with the delicate ensemble Elise and Marcello by director Isabel Coixet, inspired by a true story.

That of a Galician by name Elisa Sanchez Loriga who pretends to be a man to marry the one she loves madly, Marcela Gracia Ibeas.

A film too little known yet that deserves all the attention of the public.

As well as winning favor at several major festivals, including the Berlinale where it was nominated for the Golden Bear (Please), Grand Jury Prize and Silver Bear for Best Director.

A lesbian love storywhich paints an intimate portrait ofand nuanced, complex and exciting women.

The Exchange, by Clint Eastwood, to be seen on Netflix

Los Angeles, 1928. One morning, Christine says goodbye his son Walter and goes to work. When he comes home, this has disappeared. A frantic search ensues.

A few months later, a nine-year-old boy who claims to be Walter is returned to him. Christine takes him home. But deep down, she knows it’s not her son.

period film with grandiose costumes and scenery, chilling thriller with a thousand twists, booklet against child abuse and against sexism… the exchange It is probably one of the best movies available on NetflixAll the categories.

If it has earned its place in this selection of feminist films, it is above all for the performance of Angelina Jolie, who is also absolutely fascinating in this role of mother determined than resilient. Diving into the profoundly sexist worlds of Policeof the justice and some medicinalChristine will have to face a series of lies, cheating and obstacles that separate her from her son. the exchange it shows in particular how “madness” is used as a weapon to disqualify women’s words and actions.

We prefer not to tell you too much, so as not to spoil anything this moving and emotional film. Emotions, anger and tears guaranteed.

Feminists, what were they thinking? by Johanna Demetrakas, to be seen on Netflix

Know where are we goingit’s better to know Where do we come from.

This is one of the reasons why the feminist archive they are precious. Precisely, this documentary available on Netflix gives them pride of place. Director Johanna Demetrakas offers an immersion into the women’s movement of the 70s in the United States.

The big plus of the film is that it is in part illustrated with photographs by Cynthia MacAdams. Known for her black and white shots, this American photographer has captured the portraits of many feminists, being particularly attentive to their gaze. “I was looking for women who had strength and sweetness in the eyes “writes in one of his books

About the documentary program: archives showing, for example, “home economics” lessons, where you learn to cook and take care of a child, many testimonials specifically referring to women in the film industry or Afrofeminism.

Featured Image Credit: © Netflix