Good for Her Horror: The Power of & Problem with the Trope, Explained

[@thetake]

Thanks so much for watching! ❔Who is your favorite Good for Her Horror protagonist? If you want some more videos on powerful, scary ladies, make sure to check out the first two videos in our History of the Scary Teen Girl Series! (The 3rd and final episode is dropping this weekend) ➡Part one, the rise of the Scary Teen Girl in the 80s & 90s: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqjYn6upittqb6c ➡Part two, the Scary Teen Girl takeover of the 00s & 10s: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5yvY6x-Z81kgLc

[@Natasha-ew6qu]

I really don't mean self promote, but will you please consider doing some more videos about Pretty Little Liars Original Sin and Summer School?

[@williamroseboro5962]

Thank you for making these videos. You inspire to improve on my scripts.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

“YIKES FOR HER” is a great subgenre honestly. I vote ‘Salt’ and ‘Death Becomes Her’ as contenders.

[@priscillad8]

What movie is this Salt? Is it with Angelina Jolie?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@priscillad8 Yes

[@priscillad8]

@@PokhrajRoy. 🙏🙏🙏

[@jacksonhollingsworth6176]

Also, Jane Eyre. Rochester is a textbook abuser.

[@KatelynDawn]

LOVE death becomes her 🤣

[@kelleyceccato7025]

Personally I don't find the Knives Out films all that problematic as "Good for Her" movies go. Both the heroines in these films are smart, complex, but basically decent women whose triumph is satisfying. Neither of them kills or even gravely harms anyone; though the heroine of "Glass Onion" does destroy property, this doesn't qualify as crossing a Moral Event Horizon. I also love seeing a male and female character work together for the cause of justice without either of them becoming the other's love interest.

[@petloverspy]

Right? Both feel satisfying in that they have Benoit, a wholesome figure we trust completely, to support them, yet they still rightfully fight back themselves. It just has that extra bit of feeling good rather than simply feeling cathartic because they’re not fighting back *alone.*

[@kaylahensley1581]

I agree!

[@danaco9942]

My issue with Dani from Midsommar being lauded as a feminist icon, “girlboss”, etc is that she DIDN’T win. The cult won, and it’s terrifying how so many people overlook that.

[@TheObsidianButterfly]

Yep. She is worse off than when we started the movie. You have NEVER stronger when you join a cult. Period.

[@alyzu4755]

I find it interesting that we, as a culture, analyze violence performed by women in media much more than men. I distinctly remember the discourse around "Thelma and Louise", and the many men who condemned it (while women flocked to theaters in droves to see it, myself included). Meanwhile, in the 80's there was a plethora of testosterone-feuled action movies starting Stallone/Schwartenegger/etc that basically celebrated killing and maiming as many characters as possible, many of them innocent bystanders. And very little conversation around said films. Just an observation.

[@DrT0705]

Male violence doesn't surprise anyone, it's expected. Female violence is considered rare, strange and shocking, as we're meant to be "naturally" nurturing, soft and caring.

[@heygyal]

Truth is psychologists already study it, the issue is that the solution or conclusion is not favorable for the violent males.

[@bannedmann4469]

Old action didn’t have many innocent bystanders, that’s some BS. They cheesily and conveniently don’t get hurt as much as they should in an unrealistic way. The real issue is that women’s violence is typically over more petty stuff, then loses focus fast devolving into more petty things. While male characters have their families killed or lives in danger. The prime example I can come up with was the Gone Girl vs Joker comparisons.

[@codingrules]

It's the intend behind the murders, if there is mismatch between the punishment and the crime, and that they are made to feel more real and grounded. Many of those movies with men killing a bunch of people are simple action movies. Thelma and Louise is a great movie btw. Just like all the movies in this video that I have seen (most of them).

[@NetrunnerMox77]

The female default for people, is usually kind, nurturing, caregiver. It baffles the mind of society because they don't default to violence when it comes to women. Especially with white women. There is a level of underestimation at the violent tendencies of women, since women are expected to place their emotions on the backburner. When you see a woman act on her rage, it is cathartic because finally her emotions have an outlet and will be taken seriously.

[@trinaq]

Amy's Cool Girl speech still lives in my head, rent free, and perfect illustrates that Amy and Nick never really got to know each other, since she was pretending to be his ideal woman all along.

[@bannedmann4469]

Self generating problems. Lies, is mad that lies were effective. First world problems married to homicide.

[@jamesgyoke9045]

But why did she? She could just leave. That part I don't get. If knows what she's doing, why not stop and just leave the aashole? I guess she did, but then came back to save the asshole for some reason.

[@JokerCrowe]

This is something that bothered me the entire movie: Amy is completely fake right from the beginning. Nick is a bad husband, and is in no way excused for what he did, and wasting the marriage, but I didn't enjoy watching the movie, because both Nick and Amy were so unlikable. x) Maybe that's the point, but even "romantic" scenes between them felt completely plastic and fake (not that the acting is bad, just that they're not good for eachother). I think it's a good representation of couples in a way, because it seems like a lot of people would rather be with someone - anyone - and fake being happy, than being alone.

[@Kim-b6z]

@@jamesgyoke9045​​⁠​⁠​⁠I think just because her monologue resonates with so many people obviously doesnt mean that Amy herself is meant to be relatable. She’s an objectively bad person with control issues and a manipulative personality, she liked nick so she made him her husband and probably just didn’t want to divorce bc of how it made her look (esp considering that she’s always trying to be perfect to compete with the amazing Amy her parents created in their books)

[@leafyishereisdumbnameakath4259]

​@@jamesgyoke9045because of her upbringing. Amazing amy

[@jeffwalker6815]

Anyone who thinks Midsommar ended in Dani's favour did not understand the ending.

[@arisolisB]

Tarantino's "Death Proof" was my first "good for her" moment. Those last few minutes, the car chase and the girls at the end hitting the guy barehanded...amazing!

[@NecroComicCarm]

Yessssss❤

[@papriky22]

Agreed! I quote Death Proof and Planet Terror as a pillar in my bad ass female rebirth in 2007

[@BioshadowX]

How did you miss Kill Bill? I get that it is spooky month but that's one of the original of these and one of the most beloved

[@bannedmann4469]

Campy and not too serious might not fit the bill here too well.

[@BioshadowX]

@@bannedmann4469 I've always viewed it as serious. Very few, if any, of the Bride's interactions with men I would call campy or not serious. They are either incredibly horrific or very polite and respectful. Sure the fighting is campy and over the top but the whole time the pain and betrayal the Bride feels when interacting with the other Viper women is clear.

[@Sheabuttertend]

@@BioshadowXAbsolutely. And not only that, but situations that are INCREDIBLY real to real women’s experiences, and massive, all too common fears. R*pe and receiving violence over jealousy being the most obvious.

[@StraightenYourBack-v3x]

Kill Bill isn't exactly a horror movie, maybe that's why it wasn't included

[@BioshadowX]

@StraightenYourBack-v3x Knives Out and Gone Girl aren't either

[@Chinni_C888]

Ready or Not became my favorite movie of all time after the first watch. I've seen it at least five more times since. I adore this trope, seen most of the movies mentioned here, and yes, I am a traumatized individual. No, I don't care who judges me for it.

[@RogueVideoRaven]

Ready or Not is my favorite movie of all time too! It’s what got me invested in the horror genre!

[@MiniM69]

Yes, you’ve taken my hopes, let me have something.

[@kingbullyrock8739]

@Chinni_C888 "Ready or Not became my favorite movie of all time after the first watch. I've seen it at least five more times since. I adore this trope, seen most of the movies mentioned here, and yes, I am a traumatized individual. No, I don't care who judges me for it." That's sad as Ready or Not was lame and boring.

[@deggebär]

@@kingbullyrock8739living up to your name aren’t you xD

[@turkoizdog]

Teeth was a Good For Her movie before the genre was big, and there are so many parallels with Jennifer's Body and other movies of the genre.

[@MarijaKovac]

I remember watching Teeth in college, and couldn't understand the rage and the bans coming from men. How naive was I.

[@Barbinheimer-ke6fl]

I loved promising young woman. Yes the end is a gut punch, but also just awesome like any other male hero who goes in on a last stand mission, knowing they won’t make it out alive. I thought it was clear we were supposed to read that Al was going down because of how remorseful Jordan (the lawyer) was and that he had all the information sent to him by Cassie.

[@audrablue515]

I just read the Wikipedia page for that movie. OMG that’s bleak

[@jamiefrontiera1671]

you could argue the good for her genre started thousands of years ago. I remember reading the play Medea in high school. Thats the play that takes place just after jason and the argonauts where she helps him escape after getting the golden fleece and the labrynth with the minotaur. its years later, they have married, have 2 children, but jason is not in a position he wants to be, so classic 1st wife cliche he divorces her to mary the young princess so he can become king. Medea has been yelling about this for a month, and the king says if she doesnt stop and go along with it, she will be banished from the kingdom. Since she killed her brother to help jason escape, she can't go back to her father's country. in response she kills her 2 children, then she gives the princess a coat laced with acid and both the princess and her father who tried to get it off of her die horribly. She later escapes to athens.

[@arbyswitch5580]

Very reductive analysis of a classic tragedy but thank you for mentioning Medea at all

[@jamiefrontiera1671]

@@arbyswitch5580 well its a cmment and therefore a summary, not a formal paper of any kind. you expect a full analysis from a comment?

[@arbyswitch5580]

@@jamiefrontiera1671 nah, I expect less analysis in a summary, but for what's there it's pretty reductive and arguably inaccurate ("classic first wife cliche," I mean I guess? Reductive way to put it tho, and unnecessary embellishment)

[@deggebär]

⁠@@arbyswitch5580 No offense but why is it always the Greek mythology nerds that act like smart-asses in this particular way. 😂I always had interest in folklore and such esp. the Greek mythology (which honestly are just the abyss of human mind and society at that time - like it’s on one hand piping hot tea like some telenovela but at the same time the amount of violence, especially towards women is just honestly so disgusting) and someone that loved Latin class for analyzing, talking about works like eg. Ovids metamorphoses. But come on, we are not in a school or college assignment you don’t need to be all stuck up and formal about it. Like we are not here for: „This doesn’t belong in the summary part of your analysis and that belongs to the interpretation that comes after the summary that shouldn’t entail your own interpretation but only the situation as it was told. The part where you think about what it means and where you highlight certain tropes, stylistic devices and and and comes later.“ It’s a KZbin comment 😂 You’re not marking papers so your own assessment of the „reductive analysis“ is really not needed. 😂 but funny to read nonetheless

[@arbyswitch5580]

@@deggebär sorry, I'm not reading all that

[@aderita209]

The best good for you in my opinion is the drama The Glory. Everyone got their comeuppance so we had some sense of justice.

[@kb_Loggie]

omg, I remember watching that!!! It is 100% good for her. The fate of the villains was soo satisfying!

[@ariavenger]

THE MENU is a fantastic good for her film

[@jaimicottrill2831]

Yes, but she got out of that by being smart and not hurting anyone.

[@hamlette8707]

​@@jaimicottrill2831she killed the welcome lady!

[@jaimicottrill2831]

@@hamlette8707 Only in self defense!

[@mutantsupremacies]

when a man gets revenge against people who have hurt him or his family, he’s considered a macho badass. when women seek revenge, it’s suddenly controversial

[@kirazhukovska5237]

Blink Twice should have been mentioned too 😢 its amazing, and perfectly fits the genre

[@kevinbarnard355]

Yes, but probably too recent.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Jessica Walter delivered that line to perfection 🔥

[@tumejorpose]

I interpreted Midsommar as about Dani gaining family and social connection. Her depression limited her ability to connect with others. Although the Harga are manipulative with the ither outsiders, they connected to her and were able to give her a community and the support she needed. For Promising Young Woman, justice can be delivered from Cassie's thorough planning, physical evidence and incorporating an ally (the lawyer) who was the only person to express remorse and guilt for his actions. Cassie stayed still in time and unable to move past Nina's death, so she made this plan to be able to move on (in her way).

[@riaglitta]

Midsommar is the 'bad happy ending'; she does get what she was looking for, but that is precisely what cults always prey upon. The connection with her was always manipulated, but also there would be several in the cult who take it all at face value and are not actively being manipulative, are also seeing her as a possible new family member. It's always so many facets with that movie which makes me love it all the more. This video forgot that while Christian was drugged before the ceremony with Maya, he knew that was the plan and still participated. He was in possession of his faculties when visiting the leader in her home and told he was chosen. He originally refused more substances and then drank more tea anyway.

[@bannedmann4469]

Watch again, they killed her family. There’s a flower reef outside the house door. Plus they sacrifice their own. She’s getting nothing but a facade.

[@riaglitta]

@@bannedmann4469 There's a difference between film foreshadowing in imagery and actual events. That's fan theory but is not the story and I believe has been stated so. Using imagery as foreshadowing doesn't mean it has actual purpose and meaning in the plot.

[@MrTwentington]

Yeah that’s how cults get you

[@jaimicottrill2831]

They did what cults do and take people who are traumatized and/or vulnerable in some way and manipulating them. She may have ended up with a community but not it a healthy way and she didn't really "choose" them so much as they chose her.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

One of my favourite ‘Good For Her’ comedies is Bette Midler in ‘Ruthless People’.

[@nandaferreira5136]

The take's been having the best takes lately! Great video! 👏

[@PokhrajRoy.]

10:02 Adam Brody was featured twice in this video. Thank you.

[@kerishaw8991]

He is a figure in this genre it seems!

[@kristenlee2357]

Lucile Bluth is an ICON❤

[@j.h.6081]

Promising Young Woman totally fits this title and probably then some.

[@mbanerjee5889]

All I heard was that Lucille Bluth is an icon.

[@klawis]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! This is my favorite film genre. Thank you

[@vesanus5600]

Since this is your favorite subgenre maybe you could explain this a little further to me? The video failed (for me) to do anything but spoil a lot of movies without warning 😅 Why is the genre called like that? How does it distinguish from a normal horror-film with a female protagonist?

[@liamroberts2576]

I love how real Florence Pugh is as an actress

[@Personal-TVstation]

This is reminding me of how years ago I was shocked by how my brother took out ‘Sucker punch !’ and I was like ‘ ..0_0..what ?? ‘-‘ ‘ when I found out how my mom enjoyed the movie and even made sense of it in her own way

[@PokhrajRoy.]

4:48 This movie is honestly not talked about enough. This and ‘The Kitchen’. Miss Moss killing it in cinema.

[@kadenburkhardt1660]

I never see Lisbeth Salader from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo on here, she really has the absolute best "good for her" revenge I've ever seen

[@kadenburkhardt1660]

I mean i guess technically the movie doesn't revolve around her revenge specifically, and it comes at about the halfway point in the story, but the whole thing is about bringing attention to violence perpetuated against women in Sweden, especially those that fly under the radar, and getting justice for them, so I still say the film, and the character, fall under the category

[@DamnQuilty]

Hard Candy. Peak good for her film.

[@mirellavasileva2038]

You should have considered including 2000s DOGVILLE as an iconic and maybe pioneering Good for her movie

[@ashleightompkins3200]

Id suggest American Mary in this genre, BUT she doesn't get a happy ending, so it belongs more with something like Promising Young Womab

[@MsDaphfodil]

Beatrix Kiddo!

[@marvintnt1820]

Does Kill Bill qualify as a good for her?

[@christinalittleton3771]

Call me crazy, but I don't see "Gone Girl" as a "good for her" film. In her mind, she tried labeling her husband as abusive to the point where he was literally questioned by the police, the neighborhood, and his sanity. Yes, I get that she wanted to escape. But, why did she have to choose the "I'm gonna fake my death and blame it on my husband by pulling out good ideas from True Crime books that started off as domestic abuse!"? She could've just written a letter to her husband (and her husband, alone) that, "Ever since the book about my perfect life as a perfect child makes me feel like I'm supposed to be perfect for everyone. That's why I've decided to go out and find myself. I'm unsure how long it'll take, but please don't blame yourself. There was no way that you could've known about my internal struggles; I was masking my imperfections (this began at the age of two) to the point where I almost forgot who I was. I love you, forever and always."

[@pigsquatch65mya80]

"SPOILERS for Knives Out" Marta didn't have morally questionable behavior. The "Murder" was mostly accidental with some intentional behavior from Ransom. The thought of even lying to someone causes her to throw up. As Benoit said, the only thing she is guilty of is some accidental damage to the trellis and trying to escape the cops. So I don't think she really qualifies as a Good For Her heroine. Helen from Glass Onion qualifies more for that title.

[@Jays6926]

She's is a Good For Her heroine list because of the ending shot. Marta proves shes not the killer, finds the killers, is told she was actually an amazing nurse; and looks at the family while drinking a cup of coffee on her property that was left for her. All the racism and misogyny she faced also shows the white family; by being a good person she got what they were greedy for.

[@italosblogtalkradio4279]

What about Sissy Spacek going ballistic at prom night and unaliving everyone guilty or not in Carrie?

[@detective___mcnulty]

The best "good for her" that I seen, was Jodie Foster's movie Brave. That was awesome.

[@annejohnson5875]

Have you done any videos about vampire tropes? In honor of Halloween, that would be fantastic.

[@caitlingill]

Or the witch trope

[@jenni4claire]

Audrey Hepburn in Wait Until Dark

[@mariarubanik1078]

I’m surprised “I spit on your grave” is not mentioned. The ultimate good for her movie.

[@honestviewer7932]

I'm glad you made this video. I commented on your video on Midsommar years ago, and when I commented that I didn't like the movie because of the way that it ends, I got a ton of backlash.

[@lurkingShadows]

I'm so sorry. No can leave an opinion lately. I've watched movies I didn't like the ending but I wouldn't want someone to try to prove/argue my taste is bad. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@annarippa8422]

Just watched Blink twice... related to the trope?

[@boopdoop2865]

the Ready Or Not pact does not require the family to sacrifice EVERY new member. Only the ones who play a specific game from a pool of games possible. Some people play old maid, some people play gin rummy, but you CANNOT draw Hide And Seek or else the family must sacrifice you.

[@ilisafonua2798]

Is Gone Girl a "Good For Her" movie? I always thought the murder of Neil Patrick Harris's character was where a line was drawn that keeps most people from rooting for Amy anymore or from justifying everything she's been up to

[@HannahPowersTheYoutuber]

Lol NOOOO. HE WAS A STALKER. he was a "nice guy" but he's just as dangerous if not more than the average man. He was obsessed with her and giddy at the idea of keeping her basically locked in his house playing wife when she just escaped from what he assumes is an abusive relationship. When someone comes to you after leaving their abuser for a safe space you don't try to sleep with them. REGARDLESS of whether she was lying or not about being abused, he was under the impression that she was.

[@NetrunnerMox77]

Yes, it is a good for her. His character essentially made it known he wanted to keep her locked up in the house. He made her aware of the cameras always watching her and you noticed the increased level of control he was trying to exert over her.

[@jaimicottrill2831]

I liked her cool girl speech but I never rooted for Amy. I don't like movies or books were the main character is manipulative and awful.. I wasn't really rooting for anyone in that book.

[@lykeos69500]

I didn't know this genre of films had a name! Please give me a list/all your recommendations, I want to see them all 🤩

[@aalaixa]

Blink Twice

[@AaronStarks]

One of the best videos this channel has ever done. I call films like the ones you're pointing out "Woman Good/Man Bad" Cinema. When women are lionized for the behavior men are castigated for when it's *not* in self defense or in protection of others. Basically murder fantasies where you cheer for the murderer exclusively because she's a woman. I'm glad you pointed out the differences in the various revenge-driven films. Huge difference between The Invisible Man where the man is a clear threat to her life and Midsommar where the man is killed for just being a bad boyfriend.

[@bannedmann4469]

lol Oof this is good scathing criticism. You sure this was the best video this channel has done? Or were you setting all that up? But yeah, these same chicks will howl to the moon about “toxic masculinity” but applaud it when the genitals change. Really calls into question the whole notion. They can’t be the change they want, thus it’ll never happen.

[@phastinemoon]

I mean… I don’t know if anyone was really cheering for the finale of Midsommar - part of the horror in all of Ari Aster’s filmography seems to be centered around the ending being BAD, and bleak. As opposed to Invisible Man, where it’s basically an action movie nestled inside a psychological thriller, and the climax has the protagonist overcoming the odds and winning… but horror like Midsommar is specifically horror because the protagonist has LOST (her soul, at least)

[@AA-cf4es]

lol male doesn't know shit again

[@JulieNati-bv1hu]

I know Bottoms isn't technically a thriller, but the subject matter is. Consider this movie, too, please. Agency is why we fight it is the cause for all wars or conflicts.

[@john80944]

I feel like, it's just power fantasy, isn't it? It should already be a big genre category.

[@aerieleah533]

Feel bad about nitpicking, but you outlined the plot of Ready or Not wrong. It isn't that every new additional is killed. It is that new additions must be bad people or they will draw hide and seek. Then they are killed. So her drawing hide and seek made a statement about her character: she is a good person.

[@SimmSumm]

Adelaide, the real one who is now in the tethered world, gets killed in the end so it’s not a good for her moment. The real tethered Adelaide stole someone else’s life and ends up killing the real when she trys to help the other tethered people come up to the surface. It would be more if a good for her moment if she got her life back.

[@GeekyBibliophile]

The family from Ready or Not doesn't sacrifice every new addition to the family, why do so many videos get that wrong? What happens is at midnight on their wedding day, every new member draws a game card from a puzzle box and must play whatever game is drawn. One year it was chess, another year it was Old Maid. But: if the new member draws the Hide-and-Seek card, the rest of the family has to find and ritually sacrifice them before dawn or they die instead. That's the ONLY time as far as the movie's lore goes, that human sacrifice happens.

[@ahoward84562]

Ready or Not was AWESOME

[@kb_Loggie]

do any of yall think Heathers was a good for her? I feel like it totally fits.

[@KatelynDawn]

Carrie!! Hello!! Best good for her movie ever

[@tashibalampkin8555]

0:33 "The Invisible Man" being on the list make me raise my brow. Homegirl was in a abusive relationship. She was stalked. A whole living nightmare. She did what she had to do so survive. Why is "Gone Girl" there? Amy gets NO sympathy.

[@greywolf7577]

Go watch The Take's review of Gone Girl. There were plenty of women in the comments that had some sympathy for Amy. It's disturbing.

[@buffytheinternetbullyslayer]

@@greywolf7577it’s not sympathy. Nick was a horrible husband, cheater, and moved her from home to his hometown which was completely out of her element no friends and just left her in the house. Nick definitely needed to be taught a lesson that he’s not as smart as he thought he was and his good looks and charm can’t get him out of everything. It was “good for her” to teach him that and humble him. Nobody agrees with the horrific things she’s done.

[@HannahPowersTheYoutuber]

​@@greywolf7577it's a movie. She's an antihero. If people identifying with an anti hero scares you when the plot is obviously exaggerated and over the top to the level of high camp just tune out of the conversation. It's a thriller with a woman antihero at the helm. Get real. People are going to enjoy her character. It's a dramatization and insane thriller. Women rarely are gifted the role of the puppet master in those movies. If you can't understand why people enjoy that then you better not like fight club, the joker, American psycho, or anything else like that.

[@HannahPowersTheYoutuber]

​@@greywolf7577"it's disturbing" it's fiction. If people's opinions scare you turn off the iPhone. Believe it or not there's anti heros who we sympathize with that are a LOTTTTT worse than her. Women shouldn't have to only be good people in movies. There should be representation of insane feminine rage in movies. Do you think we condone Pearl killing all those people??? Are you that dense. It's the fact that feminine vitriol gets to be represented at all that we enjoy. Like Jennifer check in Jennifer's body. I don't love that she kills people but I also don't care. At all. Not even a little. Because that's not the point.

[@greywolf7577]

@@HannahPowersTheKZbinr That's not what the word "Anti-Hero" means. An anti-hero is someone who does good things for selfish reasons. Think of Han Solo in A New Hope, who is only helping the rebellion because he is getting paid. Yes, people can enjoy watching movies about psychopaths, but they shouldn't be sympathizing with them. If "Gone Girl" had been made with the genders of the main two characters reversed, the male version of Amy would be seen a lot more negatively than the Amy in the real movie is, especially by women.

[@lurkingShadows]

Can I nominate The Heathers?

[@ItsMeDarlaLee]

Blink twice is definitely on the good for her list.

[@LinDeGenette]

Haven't I seen this just a few days ago? Did u re-upload?

[@adriennelundy1623]

"Us " was not good for her

[@KrisRN23935]

It would only count if you rooted the others led by original Adalaide, but still debatable.

[@amandae654]

Your next its one of my favorite movies.

[@PaulRWorthington]

This video has a weird thesis. You've taken stories that have a good sympathetic character who has to do horrible things to survive, and stories that have a crazy or evil character who does horrible things because that's what they do, and somehow said they are all the same thing because the protagonist is a woman.

[@bubububnever]

Earlier in the video she makes a clear distinction between "Good for her" heroines, and the standard horror movie protagonists. The difference being the catharsis for triumphing over evil, and that catharsis is usually felt by the audience. A traditional hero feels a sense of triumph when defeating the hero, the "Good for her" invokes is more of an eye-for-an-eye climax, only the villains are the ones who pay pence for having wronged the protagonist in the first place. The "good for her" heroine doesn't really learn much from defeating the villain, not like a traditional hero. Instead, life usually goes on for her, except now she's comfortable committing atrocities if it means defending herself. I agree that the criteria hasn't been clearly defined yet, but I definitely agree that the feeling of catharsis is the biggest distinguishing factor from traditional leading heroes, who usually invoke a feeling of triumph after their battle with evil, and not, "the bad guy got what they deserved, I'm traumatized now so I'm gonna get some ice cream" lol.

[@BloodyMary74]

What about Widows?

[@djrerayaloha4112]

Imagine a female "Psycho", what if Norman Bates was an abused woman who killed men dressed as her abusive dad? 🤔

[@CaliBee6]

Revenge is a great good for her film

[@katkat6678]

American Mary shoulda been a good for her movie 😡

[@inesatt1313]

I agree,it isn't

[@Shaylovespopeye]

I don’t like ready or not because in the trailer it seem like Alex and Gracie were going to make out together and be together and leave the family so no good for her 0 precent And Jennifer body is no good for her instead of help her best friends and find away out of the curse, she kills her instead she doesn’t help her

[@ragingzim]

Noted the use of the terms women and female while depicting female characters. Good to see.

[@codingrules]

Is Pearl really a good for her movie? She is literally evil.

[@lurkingShadows]

Pearl is the bad guy with understandable grievances but terrible ways of dealing with it. Great prequel to X 2022.

[@codingrules]

@@lurkingShadows I agree, but good villains often have understandable grievances. So I feel like that doesn't make her qualify.

[@lurkingShadows]

@@codingrules Should we draw the line for Pearl when the other characters were not posing a threat? Example if the antagonists or other characters are trying to actually harm her or her family/friends, or is that going into making her an antihero? Genuinely I'm not sure. I think if I understood this video essay the female lead had to be in harms way (phycological or physical) then use violence and a means to victory.

[@arbyswitch5580]

Also she loses like...everything...she died in that farmhouse after living there her whole life, do people forget that?

[@arbyswitch5580]

X and Maxxxine, on the other hand...very good for her (one played in a straightforward way, the other more of a bitter victory that leaves the taste of ashes in your mouth, but both technically actually triumphs)

[@christianandjesse7370]

Women can get SAed ans abused for decades on screen and we put those movies on the classic horror list. Women SA and abuse men back and suddenly we have to discuss for YEARS why women dint scream about this. So rosemarys baby is a classic, where a woman is SAed and manipulated and left screaming, but midsommar is a warning sign of misandry? Wild

[@mariaskabardonis8353]

Midsummer is not a good for her movie she is tricked into joining a cult lol. It’s definetly yikes for her. Gone girl is more of a villain story or nothing is what it seems story then good for but that’s my opinion

[@noyku]

is just got me why is Adam Brody in 3 of these movies?? Ready or not, single white female and Jennifer's body :D

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

The ultimate "Good for Her" movie would be a girl resurrecting herself as a cancer by her undying hatred. Then helping cause the extinction of humanity.

[@KrisRN23935]

What movie was that?

[@alexandrebeaudry8377]

About Midsommar, Christian is not abusive or narcissisc. He deal with an situation that no one should deal with like Dany. The grief of a family by murder. Pele is the evil here. Bringing everyone in a cult knowing what is going to happen. The painting at the beginning even make me wonder if he is not responsible for the death of Dany's family. It seem everything was written (planned)

[@mariarubanik1078]

I agree. Actually I don’t understand why he’s always portrayed as an abuser in such videos. Cristian maybe isn’t a good boyfriend, but he didn’t do anything to deserve all this shit.

[@alexandrebeaudry8377]

@mariarubanik1078 People tend to call narcissists when they are not treated as child king

[@123-r4u]

Why is Adam Brody in so many of these movies?

[@kerrajohnson3203]

Kimberly Elise in Diary Of A Mad Black Woman. Did she have to push Charles in the tub? No. But why not?

[@ronturner3598]

CARRIE.

[@JulieNati-bv1hu]

Lisa Frankenstein is both good & bad for her horror. The PTSD from a loss so close in a gruesome way. Her metamorphosis into a person with conduct disorder was valid. An essay of this fantastic movie would be appreciated, please.🙏

[@lurkingShadows]

She might be disqualified from the good for her title because her ending. She is not triumphant, she is undead like her zombie bf. (Loved the movie).

[@JulieNati-bv1hu]

Being undead isn't necessarily a bad thing for Lisa, she married the monster. Consider Diablo Cody's writing. Moreover, Jennifer's Body's ​Needy is undead, but uses her curse for revenge. I think Diablo Cody could make an anthology of monster movies or graphic novels, if she was so inclined. @lurkingShadows

[@JulieNati-bv1hu]

Diablo Cody wrote good for her endings by giving Needy semi-undead power over the band that devastated her & everyone around her. Lisa was given power through the monster. All those who would harm her are destroyed or removed from the equation. Lisa marrying the monster means love & hope are alive. I love Lisa Frankenstein, too!❤

[@theredqveen]

I support women's rights and women's wrongs ❤️

[@reddenver]

Just have sub categories

[@amandaredd3057]

Oh Lord, not the "patriarchal systems" crap again. What a tired notion

[@SummerThymeMadness]

what do you mean “get criticism”? so men can have abuse p8rn films by the dozen but GODS forbid a woman does anything on screen?? ugh. also, Jennifer’s Body is ICONIC and i wish there were more films out there like Promising Young Woman and just more female vigilantes in general 🥰

[@ryle4h]

Just saw the VVitch come on screen when you're talking about stories that dont count, and I'm confused. The arrested development quote is about a lady driving her car into a lake. The meme it's based on is about Midsommar. Yet, somehow, if a story doesnt have a triumphant ending it doesn't count? That's bogus. Let women be self-destructive monsters.

[@mnari_]

adam brody is in way too many good for her movies

[@Ocean5ix]

I'd say the "Good for her" subgenre is just a normal horror movie in which the protagonist survives and takes somekind of revenge on the villain. I might not be remembering the movie that well but I came out of Gone Girl thinking "evil won the day" instead of "Good for her". Might have to watch that again.

[@greywolf7577]

You are a moral person. The people who thought "good for her" after Gone Girl are not moral people, but there are plenty of women who reacted that way. It just shows that women and men aren't that different when it comes to how many are good and how many are bad.

[@emerson711]

Am I misunderstanding? Did they say arrested development was on in 1994?

[@13Amazons]

Flashback clip i think

[@Pupeyes]

I don’t think of Midsummar as a “good for her” movie. Dani was a needy girl who knew Christian wasn’t in love with her, as accentuated by the opening scene phone talk with her friend, where she expresses Christian’s lack of attention to her. Then her parents die and she keeps trying to be taken care of by a man she knows isn’t into her so when she’s staring at the screen in the end, I don’t feel happy for her, I look at her as a villain.

[@megteg]

I find it incredibly annoying annoying and extremely cliche. Also, I have literally never felt like saying “good for her” for so many of these because nah- whatever happened to her did not justify what she did. Call me a pick me idgaf but it’s just so crazy that some women and some men think this way- it’s a little disturbing because wtf is wrong with yall lol

[@thefairybug40]

I detest 'good for her' horror to the core of my being.

[@milkcatdog394]

Midsommar is def not a good for her movie 😭😭😭😭

[@RiRatiani]

The VVitch doesn't qualify as GFH cos the whole film keeps you wondering if she's really a witch or if she's been wrongly accused, and in the end, yup, she was a witch all along.

[@arbyswitch5580]

Oops! Looks like someone missed a few key details in The VVitch! -Thomasin is not a witch until she signs her name in the book during the "wouldst tho like to live deliciously" scene. Up until that point she is an isolated impoverished girl who is stuck with a father who has continuously ruined her family, a mother who has decided her OWN DAUGHTER is a threat to her marriage, a brother who honestly didn't do a whole lot of wrong either I feel so fucking bad for Caleb, and deeply irritating twin siblings who are incorrigible and IN LEAGUE WITH BLACK PHILIP FROM THE BEGINNING. THEY ARE THE FIRST TWO MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TO BECOME BEWITCHÈD. NOT THOMASIN. -The hare is an animal form the Witch of the Woods takes. That's why the dog freaks out barking at it when Caleb, dad and the dog are out hunting. It leads Caleb towards the witch's cottage and then takes human form and seduces Caleb. -this is the same hare that appears inside the barn when Thomasin is locked in with the twins. That is the first time Thomasin makes contact with the Witch of the Wood. The Witch of the Wood is not Thomasin. The gist of The VVitch is that the devil targeted that family and easily won. Poor sots...

[@CB-kh8lr]

I feel great for dany

[@codingrules]

I find it interesting that everybody sympathize with these female characters, with the caveat that in many cases nobody should want to emulate what they do when it's unnecessary for survival or doesn't scale with the crime, while it's frowned upon to sympathize with male characters in the same situation even though the same caveat is applied. Joker (2019) comes to mind.

[@franzgemota8425]

Any of here are 50 year old virgins

[@yourguitarist]

Dani's boyfriend's only mistake was trying to be kind by inviting her on he and his friends' trip. He felt sorry for her and didn't want to add insult to injury by dumping her after her entire family was killed by her sister. He wasn't "abusing" her. The message of the film is that no good deed goes unpunished.

[@MarinaAgliullina]

The only reason you misinterpret the movie is that you are a man. If you don’t see what’s wrong with Dani’s boyfriend, I wish you to be single to the end of your days and spoil no woman’s life

[@Sab_MJsMama]

I must be a weirdo because if a female character is annoying (which most of them are) and a movie is written in a way where I'm supposed to root for her because she's a female, I find it manipulative. I can't stand this. It's like, if a protagonist is a man, am I supposed to wish for his downfall in a narrative because he's a man? You guys are shallow af. I'm a woman myself and I find a lot of these women just plain annoying because the character is written over the story line or the plot of the narrative. This isn't why I watch movies or read books. I'm tired of women thinking political agendas in creative narratives has artistic integrity. Nine times out of ten, it doesn't. Can we get back to decent writing and character building overall?

[@lornadune6024]

Not sure the boyfriend in midsommar was really non-consenting. He never had to go to that lodge room to speak with elder after being “chosen” by that girl.

[@bannedmann4469]

This video ironically misses a lot. Gone Girl ain’t an Anti hero, you’re drinking the kool aid yourself there. Also in Invisible Man she makes her black friend complicit in her crime while being uncertain about everything.