The Femme Fatale Trope, Explained

[@thetake]

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[@trinaq]

Please tackle the Manic Pixie Dream Girl at some point! 💗

[@rachelpeat6452]

Please tackle the girly girl trope! Love your videos x

[@colpul2103]

My personal Fave is Scarlett O'Hara, I've always seen her as a Femme Fatale. I know that Gone With the Wind is 'problematic' for other reasons but she is one of the greatest characters ever written, even more so in the novel. Perhaps the best most interesting tale of character development ever written, and not just female.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

Hey Take. Ever read 45 Master Characters by Victoria Schmidt? It's also a list of archetypes.

[@annarose932]

I know its not an area the channel has not made videos about before, but would you ever do a video about the productions of Starkid and how they approach comedy (both old fashioned and modern) and their version of taking a idea or aesthetic and changing it to something new and refreshing. Would be really really cool to see!!

[@Crimson28]

“I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.” - Jessica Rabbit

[@legzfalloffgirl5148]

She never hid her goodness... No one believed her😌

[@GeneralTantzu]

Jessica wasn't even a Femme Fatal. At no point was she manipulating people for self gain, she just wanted to save his husband.

[@trinaq]

While Jessica certainly has the image of a Femme Fatale down pat, she was utterly devoted to Roger, so it was mostly an act to protect him. 💘

[@EmoBearRights]

I loved Jessica including that she's my favourite thing the subverted trope.

[@misshouda1740]

@@GeneralTantzu yes but she's drawn that way

[@aberrantcow]

“Gilda...Are you decent?” *Most iconic hair flip in cinema* “....me?” 😉

[@itsQUINNderful]

That’s the confidence I strive to have

[@arbiterftw]

Always reminds me of the shawshank redemption

[@sagnikadusumilli3385]

I'm a guy.. but daaamn i wish i had that vibe. The pure self confidence and power from the one line. 😳😳

[@BloodOfMadara]

Sagnik Adusumilli There ain’t no shame in getting in touch with your feminine side 😌 you go boo

[@sagnikadusumilli3385]

@@BloodOfMadara lol thanks 😄. Cool name btw 👊

[@sofiarb29]

“You shouldn’t dress like that.” “I’m wearing a blouse and skirt, I don’t know what you’re talking about”.” “you shouldn’t wear that body”... felt that

[@sully2932]

I wish I felt that lol (Not the implied concealment of female sexuality, just the having a rockin bod part 😅)

[@theedesertmermaid]

11:20

[@sofiarb29]

Rebecca Woolf totally

[@sofiarb29]

blackjack why?

[@sofiarb29]

Hayley Sullivan I bet you have it!

[@franniecherry]

Femme Fatales were used to scare women into being tradwives, so I think it’s incredibly satisfying that this archetype has become a fan favorite for women.

[@AD-eg9cw]

Indeed :)

[@alrune8]

What is so wrong about tradwives?

[@alrune8]

@Sam Rajy And? Doesn't answer the question: why is it wrong to be a tradwife?

[@alrune8]

@Tianruo Yang I don't think you can be "forced" into it though.

[@Nimrodel84]

@@alrune8 you didn't get an answer because nobody was trying to say what you annoyingly implied. And if you don't think a person can be forced into being a tradwife, you clearly need to study some history.

[@Lalan396]

The femme fatale also usually has a deeper voice than the wholesome woman.

[@jeinyabad]

once again showing that the good girl is feminine and innocent and the femme fatale is not so much

[@Passions5555]

To be honest the so called high (at times squeaky) feminine voice can come off as a little off putting or annoying (to me anyway) compared to the lower toned, throaty voice of the "femme fatal." One sounds more mature and womanly and "adult" and the other sounds more girlish and sometimes immature.

[@Kihsgy]

Because the high voice is seen as more innocent and bright while the deeper voice is more sultry and seductive

[@ioncekilledamanwithmyshoe]

FIESTA FLANDERS I think that voice is more seductive than a higher voice and that’s why they pick women with deep voices. It’s also more “womanly” and not like a girl.

[@Lalan396]

I always thought that it was because the pitch of a woman's voice usually lowers over time. The high pitch conveys youth, inexperience, and a generally more docile/ submissive fertile package. The lower pitch conveys maturity, experience/ worldliness and the general lack of dependence on a man. And a woman who doesn't NEED a man is on equal footing with a man. That kind of destroys the whole damsel in distress fantasy.

[@ThanksHermione]

Please cover the dumb dad/husband trope who doesn't know how to care of his kids. He's usually married to a woman who is more intelligent, mature, hard-working, and better looking. She's often a nag. You'd wonder how they stay together or got together in the first place.

[@JamesHugoF]

Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler is that you?

[@craz4jaymz]

Jon and Kate series... he was one of the children. I felt kinda bad for her

[@Jadasan]

Hal from Malcolm in the Middle lol

[@mary-annannan5216]

Homer simpson

[@joaninha3484]

Oh yes I hate that trope. Chandler/ Monica. Everyone loves Raymond, etc

[@shellbeebo]

It's amazing how men were "worried" about what women got up to when they were away at war, but tons of them had kids overseas 🥴🥴🥴 like make it make sense. Lots of men today as well, would die if they heard they were being cheated on but are cheaters themselves.

[@soniaajonsson]

That's because they don't live in the grace of God.

[@brownisrunderratedbeautifu9460]

Dachelle Watson the hypocrisy is real 🙃

[@honeydew75]

preach lmao like the mental gymnastics that kind of thinking takes oof

[@Toshimi1043]

It's called projection.

[@debbysmith5522]

MB That’s really fucked up of you to say, those men risked their lives, some of them were just young boys. And you disrespect them like that generalising them making them all sound bad. They risked there lives in hopes that it would be a better world after. You sound like one of those feminists, who isn’t really a feminist because feminism is supposedly about equality, but you just call yourself that because you’re too stupid to know what it means.

[@MTRG15]

I feel kinda disgusted that the origins of the femme fatale is the fear of men from seeing women breaking out of their control. But I'm happy that these characters created a mark to inspire women to chase their dreams.

[@GeneralTantzu]

This is a ancient trope warning people about not trusting someone just because they give you a boner.

[@sofiabravo1994]

It just means feminism is evil.

[@lindenpeters2601]

Not everything has misogynist origins. This isnt textbook material, it's just a very subjective film analysis channel.

[@paperfox8794]

@blackjack Except for the "orange is the new black", the didn't show any lesbian relationships. Where did you see propaganda?

[@TriggeringOpinionsandFacts]

Break from their control =/= unfaithfulness while away at war

[@madhushrutimukherjee]

I keep on hearing that women keep falling for bad boys- but never a word on how men keep falling for bad girls. I guess it's a gender neutral tendency to fall for such kind of people, but the discussion on it is highly gender-biased.

[@charnellejackson3641]

Madhu Shruti Mukherjee now that’s a discussion I want to have

[@sg_1541]

This is exactly what I was thinking. It's always portrayed that a good girl can fix a bad boy(he's given that chance over and over again) . But a bad girl is just 'bad'and nothing else. Society doesn't want to accept a bad girl who had a troublesome history there's no redemption for her. She is not given the chance a bad boy would get from a good girl. If a good man likes a femme Fatale she's just bewitching him. Hmmmmm... Misogyny much?

[@medealkemy]

@@newjustice1 absolute bollocks

[@madhushrutimukherjee]

@@newjustice1 I hope so. That at least one of the sexes, whether it be man or woman, be sensible. Yet I've always seen more hopelessly romantic men(and women) than pragmatists, and while it's not a big sampling size, it is an awful lot of people. Hopelessly romantic people far outnumber sane ones (there's little to no sociological research on romantics, so I'm just sharing a combined experience of a lot of people). It is a natural tendency, irrespective of gender to try and please the person who will never be pleased, and such people just suffer. And try as we may, we cannot assign a gender to their suffering.

[@madhushrutimukherjee]

@@sg_1541 There's misogyny in the representation of the redemption, not the granting of redemption itself. I believe you're familiar with The Taming of the Shrew and it's myriad adaptations? It's basically about a "bad" woman being turned into a "good" one, quite similar to the "bad boy changes" narrative. Except for one vital detail- the representation. While the "taming" of the bad woman is regarded as an act of charity, the "changing" of the bad boy is an act of duty. It is *expected* that the girl will change the boy, as if it's her life's sole purpose(and due to this form of conditioning, some women I've met do believe it's their life's purpose to find a broken man and fix him), while the man is viewed as a philanthropist- it is his great benevolence that he is taking the time to fix this bad woman. It is the treatment of the partner of said bad person which makes the representation misogynistic, not the other way round.

[@sweetimmortalife]

Scarlett O’Hara is THE Femme Fatale, but unlike most of these women she’s the main character of her story, we get to see her buildup as the FF and her ultimate demise because of the toxic characteristics she couldn’t get rid of. But in the end her strong mind is what keeps her going despite all. I would love a character study on the unique character of Scarlett O’Hara

[@beatrizf9563]

true 😍

[@elleyeah746]

yes! you hate her but respect her for her intelligence and will to survive

[@Noirjk]

Thank you.

[@blackjac5000]

Even though Gone With The Wind was about how some people manage to stay standing when the floor is pulled out from under them while others go to pieces?

[@3brerfox]

Have you guys done an analysis of the quirky scientist. The trope of the mad genius who can barely remember to put on pants?

[@trinaq]

I agree, "The Absent Minded Professor" Trope. Classic examples include Jerry Lewis and Eddie Murphy in the 60's and 90's versions of "The Nutty Professor", and Robin Williams in "Flubber". 👨‍🔬

[@3brerfox]

Trina Q and of course, Doc Emmett Brown. Doofenshmirtz. The guy from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Jimmy Neutron.

[@briannalee1998]

3brerfox YES!!!!!!!!! They gotta talk about that trope.

[@oooh19]

flubber's robin williams was an absent minded professor

[@3brerfox]

Chris they did ones on the ChildProdigy, the Nice Guy, and the Bad Boy.

[@CamilaVanilla]

"Do you ever regret it, not having children?" "Do you ever regret having them?" OOOOOOOOOH

[@petewenzel2725]

They should’ve shown the reaction shot. Makes it all the more powerful - because she definitely regrets it...

[@papl20]

That scene send me!

[@legzfalloffgirl5148]

I tell people I don't want children and they hear I hate children. I've had multiple people tell me I'll change my mind as soon as I meet the right man.

[@celiashen5490]

@@legzfalloffgirl5148 If I want kids, I'll borrow yours. Is the right man battery-powered? These are just my regular responses to the baby conversation. God, those people annoy me.

[@PeterEhik]

@@legzfalloffgirl5148 I say I don't want kids all the time and no one ever questions me about it, shows you the double standard, no one ever says I haven't met the right woman lol. Sorry my lady, be you and don't let them ever decide who you're gonna be.

[@fam6883]

Femme Fatale are the best characters. They know how to get what they want and her self awareness is just mesmerising. Sometimes I wonder, how probably in the past these characters used to be a girl next door or nice girls who sees the bright side of life until something snapped that made her so cynical and manipulating. Kathryn from Cruel Intentions and Amy Dunne from Gone Girl is probably the best Femme Fatale ever

[@satyalouis-guepin7692]

Amy Dunne *doesn't* know what she wants. She changes her mind all the time, then uses people around her to fix the problems her weird behavior creates. Obviously _alone_ she's *weak* and then resorts to blame others for her problems.

[@satyalouis-guepin7692]

@InSanctvs The real problem of the femme fatale is that she's empty, shallow and she knows it. Of course someone shallow needs other people to feed on (maneaters). Most of the time they are blackholes with a serious personnality disorder. Once you see through the facade they become the weakest being one has ever seen.

[@Gemini053]

I just wish they could balance out the sexual content as well as giving insight to how men see her and to how she sees herself. Does she see herself as a(n) victim or as a woman who's just out to make money and to find confidence and her self-worth.

[@genz5157]

can't a girl just love sex and all these so called manly things without something bad happening to her that makes her that way? when will we stop judging women for their preferences?

[@user-up2gn8hv9c]

@@satyalouis-guepin7692 agreed fully. Femme Fatale use fear as a way to get what they want which is lame and empty

[@atinysoftbean1645]

Wait so, they thought that showing independent, ambitious, sexually liberated women in film would be a good way to sell the idea that women should...not pursue all that? Wut?

[@sikishkaba]

@sure why not most of the femme fatale in the old movies are shown as evil and get serious punishment or death in the end

[@peachpie-x5e]

and then it got backfired so wildly LMAO

[@alim.9801]

Love when shit like that backfires lol

[@Some-Rage-Inducing-Provocateur]

@@peachpie-x5e because people get mad when skin is shown.

[@swampsprite9]

Most misogyny comes from men's projections of themselves and other men, onto women. Unfaithful, money obsession, selfish, etc.

[@littleraskle]

"God forbid I exude confidence and enjoy sex. Do you think I relish the fact that I have to act like Mary sunshine 24/7 to be considered a lady?" oof! I loved this line, I need to rewatch the movie because she hit the nail on the head. I wonder what it is about confident, sexual women that makes everyone so fucking uncomfortable? Frustrating that in 2020 we still get shit on for daring to go against the status quo.

[@theedesertmermaid]

16:07

[@littleraskle]

@akshay satish Cruel Intentions.

[@dejstoney]

You already know what it is: Misogyny.

[@sindhusekar5782]

Although this character in the movie was a manipulative bitch. I don’t see how that can be justified. An evil act makes you an evil person. She’s a vamp in the movie because she carries out destructive actions. She makes a valid point about repression of female sexuality. However, it would have served our cause better if a non-evil character had voiced this concern. One’s choices to be evil is one’s own. There are better ways of changing the world around you, if you’re unhappy with what has been dealt to you.

[@CocoaPuffss]

@@sindhusekar5782 I actually didn't really watch the video and when reading OP's comment i thought it was a direct quote from Gone girl, and she didn't do anything wrong. Well, she said something along the lines of it before she killed one of her exes. It was around the time she faked her kidnapping and drove off. I think it's iffy of you to put emphasis on her being evil when what she said can be said by any woman with any personality (i did read you saying she had a point but you mentioned her being evil before and after that)

[@isaacgray2909]

For suggestions, do the video on how Black women has been portrayed on cinema throughout history.

[@trinaq]

I second this suggestion! They are typically the Sassy Black Woman, or they're reduced to the White Lead's Best Friend, and nothing more! 👧🏽

[@bryanalstoncoxing]

Yes this is a great idea!

[@AGrrrlsTwoSoundCents]

Yes! But I hope that they are able to go about it sensitively, as the channel seems to be run by mostly white women. I would suggest inviting a black woman to do the writing and commentary, so it's coming from an authentic place

[@bryanalstoncoxing]

What are some recent examples of positive and well rounded black female portrayals? I’d love to add some to my watchlist

[@gabrielgarcia-dt9vv]

good idea

[@ashleightompkins3200]

This is my opinion but I think the Femme Fatale is or was the beginning of the Cool Girl or the Cool Girl with the darker edge. The Cool Girl who couldn't be 'tamed' so she's made the villain

[@HJ-ju4ui]

I think cool girls are more like wannabe femme fatale

[@thatrantinggirl7376]

I think that's basically what they said

[@ashleightompkins3200]

@@thatrantinggirl7376 Not quite... I think. I meant that Cool Girls are the Femme Fatales that the modern male audience is comfortable with. Someone visually appealing but still someone they can 'tame' into motherhood, removing her fangs. Otherwise she must be loose, immoral and a villain.

[@dreamyanon5151]

Ashleigh Tompkins Agreed well said. It feels like they oppose and compliment each other though. Oth about men's desires and fears ,The cool girl is what men want, the femme fatale is a little too over the edge and risky.

[@jascrandom9855]

I have to disagree there. Cool Girl is attractive, not because she's tameable, but because guys can have an easier and more fun time around her, and share interests with her. A Femme Fatale is a villain who uses her sexuality as a tool to achieve her goals.

[@tiffmonique7154]

The Femme Fatale would be better compared to Lilith not Eve.

[@AxxLAfriku]

KAKAKAKAKAKAK this is wonderful! PRANK! It is terrible! I looked in the mirror and saw something UNPRETTY: my face. KAKAKAKAKAKA! But I am happy agayn because I have TWO HOT GIRLFRIENDS and I use them to get views on my videos! KAKAKAKAK!!! Good day, dear tiffany

[@babyblue3717]

Lilith, technically, never existed. She is only mentioned in the bible once as a night demon, sometimes translated as night owl and has no history or personality

[@dominiquejones6758]

Tiffany Smith absolutely.

[@sirrismendozasunlessrealms5775]

Who is Lilith?

[@dominiquejones6758]

Sirris Mendoza Sunless Realms Adams first wife who was created at the same time as Adam. She refused to submit to Adams authority and left him so he complained to God and god then made Eve from him.

[@kousukeseyelashes3253]

can a femme fatale be virgin? a strong Woman who gets what she wants but chooses to not have sex. is that possible? or does she need to have sex to have control

[@jackyp1893]

Yes, you can. You have to position yourself in a way that sex is alluded to but never engaged in. also helps to study people and learn to stroke the ego of your target's shadow self (the parts of them they feel ashamed/insecure about).

[@walter-vq1fw]

Jessica rabbit is potentially asexual, so yes

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

Wait? Didn't they mention something like that in video? The movie called 'gilda'.

[@shalmali-379]

oo like an ace femme fatale, seems cool actually

[@baba-yaga8986]

That’s not a femme fatale. The trope isn’t saying women can only have power through sex or cunning but it is a method.

[@ArchdukeOfBelgrade]

This is one of the best channels overall on KZbin. Period.

[@SadeMetsavirta]

Watching this for personal growth reasons

[@elenapopovic2527]

Lollll YES! Gang gang!

[@19TAURUSGIRL91]

Lmaoooo! Taking notes 📝 🧐

[@elenapopovic2527]

@blackjack what does this have to do with lesbians?

[@elenapopovic2527]

@blackjack ok you're clearly out of your mind. Bye

[@beccat6055]

Same, I’m trying to become one

[@lunahimmrich4547]

Can you please do something about how nations are portrayed. For example if there's a Russia or German character they are most likely evil

[@neemanzara3860]

Yes pleaseee.

[@ninavinterova9875]

@@laproserpina2620 I would assume that it's because the movies are American and Americans aren't really fond of either of these.

[@kay-leighlewis9322]

Chris you’re an idiot if that’s all you get from their videos 😂🙄

[@psychedelicyeti6053]

Usually, it's due to the relationships governments have with each other (like the examples mentioned in the comment above).

[@mahaj1861]

Arab

[@silentob_server6061]

I feel Sherlock Holmes's Irene Adler is one of the best examples of the femme fatale.

[@localtriggerfan1998]

And at the same time she isn't punished for her behaviours, but respected. This what I love about ACD

[@BlackFoxInc]

Spot on!

[@yothiga]

They didn't put her here because she didn't fit the narrative of the video.

[@Lumosnight]

Paperism Actually she does fit the narrative. She belongs under the category ‘femme fatale who is actually a good girl on the inside so deserves a happy ending’.

[@localtriggerfan1998]

@@Lumosnight She isn't? Have you actually read the book series?

[@andro.a-5590]

The Femme Fatale character is feminist in and of itself (sexually liberated, intelligent, strong willed etc.) but the narratives she is placed in are usually (if not always) misogynistic because they're written by men and ultimately must serve his purpose and desires. (Excluding some modern takes of the Femme Fatale)

[@sammartin913]

So.... the femme fatal trope grew out of the hope to keep women where men want them, but to make women believe they are doing it by choice, mainly out of the aspiration to not be "rotten" like those women. Kinda sad. Portraying sexuality and independence and lack of desire for motherhood or commitment as sins, whether the character was actually a bad person or not. Big oof.

[@baddieb2605]

Manophere. com that’s not what they’re doing, they just don’t desire to be a mother not to neglect children they have....

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

Thankfully the trope is nuanced enough to gather fans

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

@Manophere. com uhh yeah woman do pay child support '-'

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

@Manophere. com from sharing what joint property was in the marriage? Yes when they have no secure job or savings....or are you trying to say that men are the poor poor victims of the scam that is a marriage's end 🥺

[@sarroumarbeu6810]

@Manophere. com yeah you're absolutely right 👍

[@tariqthomas9090]

Okay so confession...I kind of love this trope. The femme fatale (at least the classic ones) are often the most interesting, active, and heck even the *funniest* characters in the story. It helps that they’re highly motivated making it easy root for them. At least now, there’s a lot more better written and less misogynistic versions of it.

[@christopherbrown2706]

Where were there misogynistically written femmes fatales before?

[@julijakeit]

yes, classical ones had real problems to deal with. nowadays everyone is over sensitive and giving up easy, getting angry, getting tired of things. classical femmes had to deal with war! of all, depression, recession, real patriarchy (not invented as in after 80s movies), poverty and strong influence by the society which would leave them homeless, jobless, penniless if they knew the truth about her. The working mom femme fatale? The sexy lesbian femme fatale? How about disastisfied internet commentator like me, I am a femme fatale too. Too overused.

[@MsZephyra]

@@julijakeit Did we finally smash the patriarchy and eradicate poverty?! I didn't get the memo. 😂😂

[@tionnajohnson8430]

I love it to I wanna be it up but I think I'm the weird girl but I'd love to be a Marilyn Monroe 😂 tbh I might just be both

[@LightYagami-xl1wz]

But I love my 1940’s film noir femme fatales :(

[@WeeHobbit87]

To be fair to Clytemnestra, Agamemnon was just the worst

[@beccag2758]

While I'd argue the real villain of that whole saga was Aphrodite, yeah Agamenon was the worst on either side of the whole debacle

[@Make_it_Make_Cents]

@@beccag2758 well now i have to research what you two are talking about. Thanks random stranger for the quest.

[@WeeHobbit87]

@@Make_it_Make_Cents I'll make it easy on you, a channel called Overly Sarcastic Productions has made summary videos on Iphigenia, The Oresteia and The Iliad. They basically go over all you need to know

[@mikamaybenerdy]

he sacrificed their daughter so he could go sack Troy. so yeah.

[@Rebby2000]

@@Make_it_Make_Cents tl;dr: basically? He sacrificed their daughter to win the trojan war (which, understandably made her upset which, iirc, he was well aware of). He also brought Cassandra back with him from Troy as an (enslaved) concubine. She was murdered as well (and is arguably the best party in this whole debacle).

[@samanthakim1975]

The first thing I thought about were red long almond nails

[@justnabi3514]

Oml yes! Iconic

[@trinaq]

Oh yes, the first telltale sign of an iconic Femme Fatale! 💅😁

[@lh9591]

When I was dating my ex, and had a girls night out planned, I got a red manicure. Oh MY GOSH the conversation. He asked why I got such sexy nails for going out with my gal pals, if I was cheating on him, etc. it was crazy.

[@samanthakim1975]

@@lh9591 red nails are powerful

[@lh9591]

Rita Rodrigues No reason to think someone is cheating!

[@KaylaNoelle1]

I always get cast as "the good woman" or the ingénue in plays because I'm 24 and I can't even pass for that old, it isn't very much fun. The older-looking girls and curvier girls always get to play villains and femme fatals. It's so gross how female body types are stereotyped with personality types to go along with them, as if just being curvy will make you hyper sexual and being thin makes you innocent.

[@vickytaa1]

You asked "is the femme fatale inherently sexist or can it be feminist?" I'd say, following your own argumentation, that this trope starts as inherently sexist, especially in the older films. These characters are written and directed by men, to showcase the male anxieties about women. These femme fatales are the destruction of societal order because God forbid a woman owns her sexuality. This message is further drilled by the endings; either she was never bad, or she get punished = a woman cannot be owner of her sexuality and have a happy ending. Modern portrayals might be subverting this trope, especially if they are written by women. But I would say that the trope originated as sexist but currently we can recontextualize it to give it a feminist message.

[@kroolini3678]

Gala Danesino why do they HAVE to be either. Why can’t a femme fatale just be a well written character without needing to label it as feminist or sexist or anything inbetween.

[@parisknight1840]

@@kroolini3678 because female characters always have to be judged more harshly than male characters. Women apparently always need a role model rather than a variety of complex characters.

[@kroolini3678]

@@parisknight1840 that’s just not true lmao. Bad characters get judged. Good characters get credit. There is no inherent bias against female characters lmao.

[@parisknight1840]

@@kroolini3678 yeah there is but I’m used to people pretending that it doesn’t so guess nothing ever changes.

[@kroolini3678]

@@parisknight1840 do you have an example of 2 terribly written characters that are kinda simular, but because one is female and the other male they are judged differently?

[@angierose1428]

The girly girl trope next

[@pripri1207]

They already did that. Look for the good girl trope.

[@roy.shrestha]

Yesssssssssssssss

[@misshouda1740]

@@pripri1207 I think she means the feminine girl

[@alicelopez130]

I think they did that with the Elle woods video, check it out it’s awesome!

[@jessicavictoriacarrillo7254]

Especially the Miss Piggy girly girl: femme to the max, all about her beauty, quick tongue, strong willed and minded, can kick ass. The Tough Girl in high heels and in pink.

[@trinat347]

I can't lie I love the fem fatale , they are interesting to watch

[@trinat347]

@Manophere. com well dang who spit in your Cheerios , it's a movie relax

[@trinat347]

@Manophere. com sounds personal

[@Gemini053]

And to learn from

[@trashleykim]

I can't believe game of thrones was mentioned without bringing up margaery tyrell!! she was such a good femme fatale who manipulated the men (and women) around her to be better. in a way, she was a career woman, in that her career depended on manipulating men and making them give her more power

[@topipuma]

I'd consider margeary more of a cool girl than a femme fatale ultimately complying to the male expectation and desires

[@oof-wi7hp]

loved margaery so much. she deserved a much better ending

[@oof-wi7hp]

@@topipuma she wasn't complying to shit, she was working with what she had

[@maggithepink]

Margaery doesn't fit. She isn't heartless or cynical and also doesn't destroy men.

[@rehanabegum975]

She was my favourite character

[@GLamoRousCooKie]

I always admired Femme Fatales and wanted to be like them, I really never saw them as villains. So this is a whole new perspective for me.

[@TheGreatWerebear]

I think the femme fatale is, in many ways, the female version of the "bad guy" trope. Someone who is sexually liberated and exemplifies strong feminine/masculine characteristics, who is extremely powerful and self-assured and deeply compelling to characters of the opposite gender, but who ultimately is dangerous to the protagonist's internal (or even external) wellbeing. l They're both often contrasted with a nice guy/nice girl who, while less striking and intriguing, is ultimately seen as the better person. They both function as a cautionary tale for the viewer about not getting caught in another person's web.

[@eugenemurray2940]

Enmeshment... The prerequisite for.... Abuse...

[@willisthrilled]

I kid you not, I literally searched “The Take Femme Fatale” yesterday and nothing came up and I was disappointed. Then I open KZbin today and my prayers have been answered!! Thank you!!!

[@alicebeaudelaire]

You should do one video about The Lolita trope

[@Pinkranger87]

Oh yeah

[@bennyton2560]

Chloe Grace Moretz in Kick Ass is def one of them

[@kimifw58]

What is that exactly?

[@alicebeaudelaire]

Kimi FW It’s a little girl (12,13,14,15,16 years old)who attract adult man.

[@CocoaPuffss]

@@bennyton2560 Natalie portman in leon the profecional was a very disturbing one for me to watch

[@sahraguya7639]

I love these analysis. It’s honestly the only thing getting me through this quarantine. So thank you.

[@briannalee1998]

Sahra Guya same!

[@myosotismalva]

Male anxiety, that's where it all started 🤔

[@bethanychatman9531]

That is what the world is suffering from.

[@NieColall]

@@bethanychatman9531 Would be better if it suffered from female anxiety lmao

[@isabella6075]

@@NieColall Definitely will be better

[@nithi9638]

This channel is a blessing for writers! I'm writing a literal femme fatale. Deathly woman and I wanted some real advice on how to do it. Its kinda my style to play right into tropes and sprinkle in some irony. And GODDAMN, This channel is my treasure.

[@baechulgi]

So basically, femme fatales are every lesbian's dream woman?

[@AGrotesqueMess]

Sure i guess.

[@mlcg1500]

Well yeah if you put it like that..

[@cerinashippey]

this is why I love basic instinct

[@hopelessmoonlight]

FELLOW MOOMOO!

[@sita1993m]

Nah, more into geeky/goth type

[@reporterodelcrimen]

Amy Dunne is the femme fatale who got away with it.

[@oof-wi7hp]

and i am happy about it! more of that please

[@reporterodelcrimen]

@@oof-wi7hp I am too! she is the exception

[@lamb2004]

as she should

[@dontletdonghaedrive]

Yes!! Which is why I was rooting for her throughout the books and loved her portrayal in the film. Need more strong, powerful women in film. I'm tired of the cool girl or the girl that fits men's standards. She twists the patriarchy in her favour and I love it when she's victorious doing so. She's almost a vengance figure for the oppression and mistreatment of women by men, that's why men fear her the most. If only we were all equal and none of this was necessary.

[@johangade2832]

The movies where the Femme Fatales win are the best ones.

[@tessakinnoo8823]

Can we say then that Hans in Frozen is a kind of Homme Fatal? 😂

[@darkdream1469]

Lol

[@sunshineramirez7766]

Y e s

[@sadtitties222]

@Tessa Kinnoo Holy moly, it's true, lol.

[@underheaven777]

no. hes just a man because every male antagonist does this. manipulate and use the female protagonist. elsa would be femme fatale because she submits to no man and ..... honestly why am i looking so deep in to a childrens movie? idgaf

[@ninawestlake5005]

😂😅😚

[@PeachyEats]

"Youre killing people!" "No, I'm killing boys" hahahhahah

[@amygilmore9203]

Yes that is so hilarious

[@qtd7976]

yeah, misandry always hits the spot. hahaha

[@qtd7976]

@The Demonstration k cool

[@dc9067]

@@qtd7976 misandry is justice.

[@qtd7976]

@@dc9067 How so?

[@deepasinghal4729]

So Femme Fatale is literally James Bond - Iconic, uses sex to reach the goal, works for money, defeats adversaries, kills in style, memorable dialogs, manipulates well, opposite gender pinning for them, dressed impeccably, is confident & knows their shit. Phew! That's masterpiece. Probably James Bond was inspired from age old Femme Fatale. But what was missed in the video is Femme Fatale ALWAYS shows the deep seated insecurities & assumptions of men (at least of men in those movies) - "She isn't all that bad you thought she was", "Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.....It's a blouse & a skirt" LMFAO!

[@blackjac5000]

James Bond was based on Ian Fleming's own time in Naval Intelligence during World War Two. He said the guy was Bulldog Drummond above the waist and Mike Hammer below it.

[@almostatami]

Me when I put on red lipstick.

[@sofia_rms]

Lmaoo

[@Princessmimiii]

!!!!

[@dc9067]

Shit gives you power

[@artisticagi]

The Love Witch would fit into this definition. Only difference is that she doesn’t destroy men intentionally

[@yltraviole]

The Love Witch is a story about a femme fatale from the perspective of the femme fatale

[@dananabread6632]

The Take really be out here reading my mind... “Femme Fatale” is still in my history 😮

[@TheLadyDelirium]

@Manophere. com Do you mean a male villain that belittes other men?

[@villanelle2.0]

That, or they might have noticed my request in last two videos.

[@laurabrown8161]

“Do you ever regret it not having children?” “Do you ever regret having them?” ooofta that question alone disrupts so much. Def gonna hold onto that one.

[@agraciotti]

This "trope" series are among the best content about cinema on youtube. So well-written, well-researched and well-edited. I recommend this to everyone I know. Keep up the great work!

[@samanthakim1975]

Finally Jennifer's body is getting the respect it deserves, it has flaws, but it's a metaphor

[@oof-wi7hp]

what flaws that movie is perfection

[@SoWhosGae]

Rita Rodrigues That movie is so funny and cool. Underappreciated.

[@jojo-he5gj]

That movie was ahead of its time 😂 I think it wouldn’t have been as criticized if released now. A bit cringe but honestly I love watching it.

[@Tswizzle_sizzle]

one of my faves

[@prettyfunny7616]

I love Jennifer's Body! It's sort of a cult classic now.

[@dvintsh9080]

Now do the black women trope in movies.

[@caid733]

Check out black femininity tv on yt

[@caid733]

@Deborah Nwabudike. O nah white women dont need black women money. They already earn wayyyy more than black women.

[@therealkenj98]

You might enjoy Black feminity Tv and I am Elho here on KZbin. (:

[@therealkenj98]

C Aid who is talking to you? Have a better night.

[@blameitoncapitalism]

But please, make sure to call black women to help you with.

[@acrylicgodoy]

Catwoman in Tim Burton's Batman is a mesmerizing femme fatal

[@kimifw58]

She's mesmerizing in other media too.

[@magicalgirl4]

I only watched that film for her as a kid. She was my idol

[@christinethuo6840]

I love that woman too

[@sofia_rms]

Yess

[@DELcokte]

Ladies, time and time again you've done a marvelous job! I simply can't get enough of your analyses. You've found such a unique niche with these, please keep up the good work:)

[@winnienguyen4420]

Marilyn Monroe (mainly in Niagra 1953), Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Veronica Lake, and Eva Marie Saint were the best blonde bombshell femme fatales in the history of Hollywood.

[@Scanny524]

This video makes me want to see a completely genuine recreation of a classic 1940's noir with the gender roles flipped. Stuff like the hard-boiled detective played by a woman, and with a sultry homme fatale. Not even played for ironic laughs, although I'm sure there would be some, but it'd be interesting to see that inversion not just in the script, but also in the cinematography, the performances, etc

[@Peecamarke]

Jessica Jones?

[@Scanny524]

@@Peecamarke to a certain degree, but that's more a modern take on noir with a female lead. I'm taking fully 1940's era, with the same style of dialogue and camera work so it would be indistinguishable. Jessica Jones doesn't really have a homme fatale either

[@jolaadeadesanya9247]

Check out Lucifer on Netflix it's kinda close

[@Peecamarke]

@@Scanny524 true

[@anudarib]

Well we have Lucifer

[@erhantufekcoglu3193]

-"Frankly my dear; I don't give a damn." -"......" And then; she is done breaking hearts.

[@anyrarahman5481]

Eh I doubt that.. Scarlet went back to Tara and probably stole another husband or two.

[@gracehaven5459]

@@anyrarahman5481 the end of the original novel is suppose to imply that she does win Rhett back in the end because Scarlett is so hardheaded and goal driven. throughout the story she's shown that when she wants to accomplish something, she does it, and so her resolve to win him back probably is going to come through (Also one of the main reasons she was obsessed with Ashley, one of if not THE only man she couldn't have)

[@nandinisahu1716]

Yeah exactly throughout the video I was wondering why they didn't put Scarlett in the video...she was iconic

[@xxIluvyouguysxx]

Rhett wasn’t a very good person either

[@anyrarahman5481]

@@gracehaven5459 maybe. Scarlet is boss.

[@mackielunkey2205]

_Heeere she comes_ _You better watch your step_ _She's going to break your heart in two, it's true_ _It's not hard to realize_ _Just look into her false colored eyes_ _She'll build you up to just put you down_ _What a clown._ - The Velvet Underground

[@spiderfrommars6231]

Cause everybody knows (she's a femme fatale) The things she does to please (she's a femme fatale) She's just a little tease (she's a femme fatale)

[@AstridMartin666]

❤️

[@mackielunkey2205]

Spider From Mars See the way she walks See the way she talks

[@genp3581]

👏🏼👏🏼

[@alexdinu589]

The most dangerous woman in a tv show is villanelle from killing eve she is an assasain and even the best from the best are afraid of her. She is like a combination between harley quinn and hanibal lecter: calm and briliant with a love for killing and a sadistic sense of humor.

[@lucyspangler127]

I think a good literary example of the “femme fatale/innocent good girl” dynamic is in a tale of two cities. Lucie manette has about as much backbone as a slug and spends most of the story fainting into the arms of whatever man is closest and she’s portrayed as being this beautiful angelic figure. Whereas madame defarge who leads a whole rebellion and is shown to be very intelligent and independent is described as being so evil and ugly.

[@mrigamonmrigamon2615]

Oh and she also knits!!

[@jasonhudson4966]

Crazy because I’m writing a noir for my fiction class and kind of want to avoid some of the sexist implications this character suggests.

[@erin_3569]

You could do it from the femme fatale point of view ?

[@jasonhudson4966]

Erin _ oooh but...but...my precious precious protagonist. How could I just throw him away like that 😣

[@isaacgray2909]

You can humanize your femme fatale character by showing her positive sides like what is her goal and who are the people she care for like friends or family members. That way you won’t succumb to the stereotypical “oh she’s that way because she’s abused or she’s not a mother”.

[@crod9905]

Take a look at the new Harley Quinn series and how they updated Poison Ivy, who was usually written as a femme fatale.

[@psychedelicyeti6053]

Take the Bad Boy approach?

[@iwishiwasthemoon87]

Damn, The Take is on a roll with all these tropes :) Love it

[@trinaq]

Ditto, their trope videos are my absolute favourites! 😍

[@tabbithancube1098]

Honestly, this is my favourite trope,. I will never get over Catherine tramell in basic instinct, Iconic.

[@desaad8524]

Agree

[@Arinaretina]

Honestly, as a little girl, I wanted to be the femme fatale (still do tbh). Having that kind of power over people, and making men play their own games for once is a very satisfying feeling

[@Naka-wc3yo]

so you hate men lmao 😂

[@majaolma909]

Oh my god, my favourite trope! So happy you covered it, can't wait to watch the video!

[@gabracadabraD]

Okay I’m ready for the knowledge

[@trinaq]

Me too, The Take supply all of the knowledge to me! 📚🤓

[@DalgonaC]

Before watching, I'm hoping that Jessica Rabbit is on the list... Now to watch.

[@trinaq]

Seconded, even though Jessica is a toned down version, due to the PG rating, she almost certainly counts! 😊

[@heysilly1341]

Chimmy89 12:40

[@BlondeCurlsBlueEyes]

I thought of her too haha, but she's not really a true femme fatale - she's just drawn like one ;)

[@Jadasan]

They should have also included Holli Would from Cool World

[@marvel096]

she's a mix of veronica lake and rita hayworth

[@bijanadhikari7928]

Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big. Norma Desmond: I am big. It's the pictures that got small.

[@isabelaoliveira9270]

The femme fatale is one of my favorite types of characters and archetype. Amazing analysis 👏🏾

[@kelleyceccato7025]

Interestingly, Betty, the "good" woman in "Sunset Boulevard," is a career woman -- an aspiring screenwriter. And there's no talk of her giving up her ambitions.

[@COVID--kf3tx]

Rule 1: Be attractive Rule 2: Don't be unattractive Rule 3: ???

[@shadehasbeenthrown1178]

exactly if an ugly girl has this amount of characteristics she would be demolished

[@heysilly1341]

COVID- 19 rule 3: be overtly sexual and have people around you treat you terribly for it

[@jliz3821]

Rule 1: Be attractive Rule 2: ??? Rule 3: Profit

[@aprilmay6013]

Rule 3 ; be white i guess

[@palomi9613]

fellow redditor

[@jennabethbeauty]

My mom always tells me I remind her of Rita Hayworth and I think it's the most flattering thing when she tells me that 😅

[@1105grumpy]

@44GlenCoCo you go Glen Coco.

[@craz4jaymz]

She's also very intelligent

[@satyalouis-guepin7692]

You look more like Lily Rabe

[@Aaahrg]

Obviously a great complimemt ;)

[@bennyton2560]

That's why Glen Coco was the most iconic character in Mean girls

[@LifeIsABeach3210]

In Veronica Mars, Veronica was the hard boiled detective and Logan the classic 'femme' fatale

[@bedtimeStoryzZzZ]

True

[@vorfreude4921]

I love this series, and this is probably my favourite character within movies. Please continue these!

[@ComicPower]

The take has some of the best researched videos on KZbin. Bravo

[@JMarchel]

It pisses me off to see dislikes when it hasn't been posted long enough to be watched all the way yet.

[@ninavinterova9875]

So there should be no like either?

[@wooof.]

These videos must take ages to create, plan, edit, and research. I can't imagine how many movies you would have to watch! Thank you for enhancing my appreciation for film and media xx

[@paulomascarenhas739]

This is wild, I was watching "Double Indemnity" yesterday and thinking to myself how cool it would be if this channel covered the femme fatale trope, and today you guys did just that!

[@crod9905]

Can you do the Spicy Latina trope?

[@zaryellllyyy]

(cough) Santana Lopez

[@theincredibleyou2413]

I hate this trope but I’m glad women like Sofia Vergara and Salma Hayek were able to use this idea and capitalize off of it 👏👏👏

[@zzoa.]

I absolutely love these trope break down videos, I think they are one of my absolute favorite series right now on KZbin. Please keep them coming!! I'm a big fan of the producers of this series!!

[@bauketelgenhof4651]

Love the video. It is only such a shame that you didn't mention Lady MacBeth!

[@lilmakori]

This is great but would you mind doing the rest of the Avatar elements analysis please. 👉🏾👈🏾🥺

[@trinaq]

Yes, "Avatar" analysis videos are ALWAYS a must! 😻

[@franzkissel1369]

Seconded

[@c.d.dailey8013]

Yes. I agree. Those are the videos I am most looking forward to.

[@scarleteverlane6776]

was surprised katherine pierce wasn’t included in this

[@briannalee1998]

Scarlet Everlane same!

[@a.d.w8385]

She was definitely one.

[@sabrinac8453]

Sameeee I love her

[@scorpiomoon15]

I thought she'd be in it then I saw your comment. She would have been the perfect example of this video

[@Passions5555]

Was surprised that Fujiko Mine from Lupin the III was not included. Sure she is animated but she is also a pretty notorious femme fatale character that checks off all the characteristics of the archetype that all her live action femme fatale counterparts have.

[@arnepianocanada]

Your quality of work compares with that of 'Be Kind Rewind'. Brilliant analysis!

[@yassiec5294]

'the things she does to please, she's just a little tease" Femme fatale by The Velvet Underground describes her perfectly!

[@nightwingman666]

Suggestion: The Blood Knight. Key examples include Frank Castle, Wolverine, Toph from Avatar, Kara Thrace from Battle Star Galactica, Happy from Sons of Anarchy, and Robert Baratheon, Greyworm, the majority of House Greyjoy and Jaimie Lannister from Game of Thrones.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

anakin!

[@nightwingman666]

LudicrousKid I was thinking more of Kara Thrace from Battlestar, Happy from Sons of Anarchy, Robert Baratheon from Game of Thrones, or even Toph from Avatar. Frank Castle is the quintessential definition of the Blood Knight as he loves the thrill of battle and mayhem more than anything if you watch the Punisher show the second to last episode of season one that’s how much he loves battle and just fighting in general.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@nightwingman666 oh i thought a blood knight was just a warrior was overly too violent and get into kill frenzy. Not simply doing it for the joy of it

[@nightwingman666]

LudicrousKid That is also a defining quality of a Blood Knight but for the most part they are the first to strike and are masters when it comes to battle and bloodshed. Frank Castle is a prime example so is Jaimie Lannister.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

And now the Tom Boy. She doesn't fake for guys or act like a guy's dream. She's a girl on whom traditional femininity is pushed. While a Cool Girl has that femininity already. Then we need the Nerd.

[@prettyfunny7616]

Donna from that 70s show

[@Firegen1]

They have done the nerd (named The Smart Girl). Donna veers into the cool girl and get fleshed out. I always wished that Laura Prepon had played Mary Jane from Spiderman than Kirsten Dunst. She was half there already as Donna. Such a missed casting.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

@@Firegen1 I was referring to the male version.

[@Annie-br2uh]

could you do the “good girl” trope?

[@tiffmonique7154]

They have already, the bad girl one too.

[@Grace-mr8bc]

Off topic - the "put the blame on May..." part appears in Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' rehearsals for (the then) upcoming "This Is It" concerts. Man, that concert would've been epic! Miss him.

[@SpookyDarling]

THANK YOU for another wonderfully insightful video. Mildred Pierce is one of my favorite films and I’m so glad you took time to talk about it.

[@beccag2758]

No mention of Irene Adler?😭 (yes I know in the books she's different, referring to the Sherlock version)

[@rikudoubapeck]

She's a femme fatale in the original short story as well.

[@bitterOrangish]

I was going to sleep.... guess I'm skipping elearning tmrw morning lol

[@Unicornsrfab]

elearning

[@sarizonana]

Do the sarcástic genius trope, or the sherlockian characters. Sherlockian characters are characters very similar to sherlock Holmes though their name is not sherlock holmes.

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

@Manophere. com I don't know, but I can only see that ending badly.

[@michaelcain9324]

Thank you for peppering this with clips of my favorite femme fatale, Bridget Gregory from The Last Seduction. She out balls and out smarts everyone, getting away scot free to go off to live her best life. My third favorite film of all time, behind The Silence of the Lambs and Mary Poppins, and just above Brokeback Mountain and Wonderboys.

[@fififhygiio1914]

I honestly think this is one of the most intelligent videos on KZbin, I keep rewatching it.

[@HoovyTube]

Double Indemnity's Barbara Stanwyck portrayed the best version of this trope. No doubt about it.

[@tadakuniyasuda8214]

I want you to cover "Beautiful Young Sexy Guys Trope Explained" - Leonald DiCaprio in Total Eclipse, Keanu Reeves in My Private Idaho, Brandon Frasier in Gods and Monsters, Death in Venice... Something about them portrayed as improbable object of desire in tragic stories, is fascinating to me.

[@thechurchofsolange58]

Oh no.. Should've shown a clip from The love Witch🥺 Anyway, great video as always. Love the regularity of your uploads! More please feed me

[@melidepapel]

They should make a video about it!!

[@dogwalk3]

underrated!

[@orgoik]

I love the BBC Sherlock series (With Cumberbatch), how they portray "the Woman." She definitely fits the Femme Fatale trope, I think.