6 Brilliant Movies to Stoke Your Feminist Rage

For the women who can’t tolerate romcoms right now

Promising Young Woman, 2020 — Photo by TCD/Prod.DB on Alamy (paid editorial use)

In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of women are angry at the moment.

We’re angry that our rights are being rolled back. We’re angry that every time we express concern over the 443,000 girls and women who are assaulted in America each year, some men make it about them. We’re angry that the Epstein Files revealed countless pedophiles (several of whom are running our government), and the only one in jail is a woman.

Personally, I’m so pissed that I’m having trouble watching romcoms, which I used to love. The self-aware love interest, the enemies-to-lovers pipeline, the grand gestures that aren’t actually love-bombing — all of it seems a little far-fetched.

A few films, however, somehow managed to stoke, validate, and relieve my rage, all at the same time. (Bonus: My boyfriend watched them with me, and they prompted some great dialogue about sexism, consent, and why women’s anger is justified.)

Cue these six genius movies I’ve seen within the last year, described with minimal spoilers so you can enjoy them yourself.

‘Promising Young Woman’

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Genre & rating

Black comedy thriller, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

After her best friend was raped and filmed, Cassie (Carey Mulligan) dropped out of medical school. She now spends her nights pretending to be blackout drunk at bars, waiting to see how many men try to take advantage of her. Incapable of moving on, she hatches a plan to get revenge on all those involved.

Why I loved it

I had no idea which characters I could trust and which I couldn’t. This movie is a scathing takedown of the “nice guy” myth and an eye-opening commentary on how the justice system fails sexual assault victims at every turn.

Where you can watch it

Stream it on Peacock; rent or buy it on YouTube or Prime Video

‘Send Help’

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Genre & rating

???, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) is a vital asset to her consulting firm, but her new boss — an overgrown frat-boy named Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) — fails to see her value. When the two get stranded on an island together, Liddle’s knowledge as a Survivor superfan is the only thing keeping them alive, flipping the power dynamic on its head.

Why I loved it

While watching it, I had no idea if this movie was going to be a romance, a dark comedy, a psychological thriller, or a survival horror. I’m still not sure. McAdams also proves her range as an actor, playing a frumpy, unhinged antihero as well as she played a romantic lead and a mean girl.

Where you can watch it

Stream it on Hulu; rent or buy it on YouTube or Prime Video

‘Obsession’

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Genre & rating

Horror, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

Bear (Michael Johnston) is a shy music store employee who can’t bring himself to tell his coworker Nikki (Inde Navarrette) how he feels. At a kitchy crystal shop, he buys a “One Wish Willow” and wishes for Nikki to fall in love with him. She does — violently and obsessively.

Why I loved it

This movie brilliantly explores the topic of consent, asking the audience to question who the true victim is. Also, Inde Navarrette delivers one of the most heartbreaking and creepy performances I’ve ever seen in the horror genre.

Where you can watch it

Currently in theaters

‘Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere’

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Genre & rating

Documentary, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

Louis Theroux (a renowned British journalist and documentarian) infiltrates the Manosphere to interview some of its biggest influencers, who make millions online by teaching young boys that real men are rich, muscular, and misogynistic, and women exist to serve them.

Why I loved it

This documentary is a must-watch if you’re unfamiliar with red-pill content — especially if you’re raising sons. Theroux manages to expose the hypocrisy of the Manosphere while saying very little; rather, he asks these guys simple questions (often in front of their girlfriends and mothers) and lets them verbally dig their own graves.

Where you can watch it

Stream it on Netflix

‘Don’t Worry Darling’

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Genre & rating

Psychological thriller/drama, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

Alice (Florence Pugh) lives in a sun-soaked 1950s utopia in the California desert. Every morning, the husbands drive off to their top-secret jobs, while the wives stay home to cook, clean, and care for the children. After a string of bizarre events, Alice starts questioning this so-called paradise.

Why I loved it

A friend recommended this movie to me, and I’m so glad I watched it despite the negative reviews. Similar to the show Mad Men, it contrasts a stunning, nostalgic set with darker themes of sexism, trad-wife culture, and Manosphere rhetoric. I found the twist fascinating.

Where you can watch it

Rent or buy it on YouTube or Prime Video

‘Ladies First’

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Genre & rating

Comedy, 26% on Rotten Tomatoes

What it’s about

Damien (Sacha Baron Cohen) is a successful CEO, raging misogynist, and all-around douche. After a head injury, he wakes up in an alternate reality where women rule and men serve. He is now the least important person in every room.

Why I l̶o̶v̶e̶d̶ liked it

The reviews aren’t kind to this one, and I understand why. A satirical commentary on gender dynamics, it might have been groundbreaking 15 years ago — but for 2026, the premise is a bit on the nose, and the ending is too tidy. Still, Sacha Baron Cohen is fantastic (per usual), and it has some hilariously quotable moments.

Where you can watch it

Stream it on Netflix

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