Over the weekend, Wonder Woman scored the highest movie opening ever for a female director, Patty Jenkins, clocking in at just more than $100.5 million. Part of what’s resonated with audiences and critics alike is the film’s embrace of its heroine’s strength of character without resorting to any female superhero clichés. It passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, with scenes showing off the fierceness of the Amazons, Gal Gadot as Diana rushing into the so-called “No Man’s Land” and, no less memorably, a naked Steve Trevor, played by Chris Pine, emerging from a hot tub. But, there are other moments equally deserving of attention. Here, nine of the less discussed triumphant feminist moments in Wonder Woman.
Diana Refuses to Smile in a Historic Photograph
Sameer, Steve Trevor, Diana, The Chief and Charlie in Wonder Woman, a Warner Bros. Pictures release
As they posed for this picture, a passing street sweeper shouted out, “Smile, honey. You look so much prettier when you smile.” It took him six months to recover from his injuries.
Diana Carries a Sword, a Lasso and No Purse
Gal Gadot as Diana and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comics)
Men shove keys and wallets into pockets and are good to go while women are expected to lug around a medicine cabinet: makeup, tissues, sunscreen, ibuprofen, and tampons. Not Diana. She’s free from the crossbody chains that bind most women.
And the Lasso of Truth, by the Way, is Only Used on Men
A scene from Wonder Woman. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comics)
A friend of mine was filling out an online dating profile and when she got to the box that asks, “What are you looking for?” she typed, “No liars!” She didn’t get a lot of responses. Like the Amazons, my friend figured out that a lot of men don’t think women deserve the truth. The lasso is the only way to make sure that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.
Also, Diana Accessorizes with a Sword
A scene from Wonder Woman featuring Gal Gadot. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comic)
The sword is great for posture—better than pilates. But what about when that white wine spritzer makes its way through her system? We’ve all wrestled with Spanx in a stall, but this is next-level. There’s not enough room to reach back and pull out the sword. Instead, Diana hikes up her blue dress, straddles the bowl and pees like a man.
No Blow Job Jokes
A scene from Wonder Woman featuring Gal Gadot. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comic)
Diana wears armored knee pads but not once does a man lean over to a bro and whisper, “You know what else those would be good for?” Now, that is a feminist breakthrough.
Men Wear Skirts Too
Ewen Bremner as Charlie in Wonder Woman. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comics)
This would be more of a feminist triumph if he was also forced to wear heels.
Dr. Poison (aka Dr. Maru) has a Ph.D. in Chemistry
Elena Anaya as Dr. Maru in Wonder Woman. (Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comics)
Credit where credit’s due: a woman in the late 1800s receiving a higher degree in the hard sciences is an incredible achievement. Yes, she devoted her life to death and destruction but that’s probably because she couldn’t get a job in a more mainstream research lab. Like most women in male-dominated professions, her colleagues say she’s good at her job but not that likable.
The Allure of Being a Goddess Who Never Grows Old
Left: Gal Gadot as Diana in Wonder Woman. Photo by Clay Enos/DC Comics. Right: Cher in concert. Photo by Getty Images.
Because she is a God, Diana will remain young forever. Like Cher.
Underneath Those Long Tresses…
A never before scene moment from Wonder Woman. (Collage and image by Clay Enos/ TM & © DC Comics)
…Hides a less-known Themysciran winter headdress.
Watch: Gal Gadot Listened to Beyoncé to Prepare for Her Wonder Woman Audition
Gal Gadot: Wonder Woman on the Red Carpet and Beyond
The young actress first arrived on the scene at the CW Network celebration of its new series The Beautiful Life: TBL dressed in flirty strapless little black dress paired with an oversized tan corset belt. She completed her look with a pair of black cross-strap platform sandals.
At the Los Angeles premiere of Fast & Furious, Gadot looked fresh faced as she posed on the red carpet in a mini purple strapless dress.
The actress appeared at the London World Premiere of Fast & Furious 6 in a edgy black beaded gown that featured a plunging neckline.
On the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of Fast & The Furious 6, Gadot showed off her incredible figure in a ombre grey gown featuring a plunging neckline snd thigh split.
The actress opted for a sexy playful look as she posed on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of Riddick wearing a black leather shell top, black and white abstract- patterned circle skirt and a pair of scrappy black heels.
The actress looked smoking dressed in a David Koma cutout little black dress while attending the Entertainment Weekly: Women Who Kick Ass panel at Comic-Con.
At the UK Premiere of The Last Witch Hunter, Gadot dressed in a sleeveless little black dress that featured a bit of fabric draping on the left leg. She completed her look with a pair of strappy sandals.
The actress looked flawless at the premiere of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in a Balmain cut-out mini dress that showed off the star’s toned figure. Gadot topped off her outfit with white Sophia Webster sandals.
Gadot in Dolce & Gabbana at a photo call for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice in Mexico City, March 2016.
Gadot looked ravishing at the European premiere of Batman v Superman, styled in a scarlet Prada gown with a plunging neckline and embellished shoulder straps.
The actress wowed on the red carpet of the Mexico City premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in a high-low floral Giambattista Valli gown that put her stunning legs on display.
Looking simple yet elegant, Gadot opted for a black pantsuit at the UK premiere of Criminal. she topped of her polished look with a pair of black pumps and a gray box clutch.
Gal Gadot in Dolce & Gabbana at a taping for Jimmy Kimmel Live, March 2016.
Gadot looked glamorous in a floral sequin Dolce & Gabbana pencil dress while attending the unveiling of Tiffany & Co.’s renovated Beverly Hills store.
The actress looked stunning at the premiere of Keeping Up with the Joneses, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana strapless dress rendered in gold and silver sequins.
Going with a sultry look while attending a screening for Keeping Up With The Joneses, Gadot opted for a fitted David Koma color-blocked halter and ruffle-hem dress.
The mommy to be dressed up her baby bump in a Mugler slip dress with a sequined bodice and a high front slit for the Golden Globes. She completed her look with black Stuart Weitzman sandals.
The actress attended the 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards in a fringed blazer dress by Cinq A Sept and Tiffany & Co jewelry.
Gadot attends a press conference for Wonder Woman in China wearing a cobalt blue gown with slicked back hair.
For the world premiere of Wonder Woman, Gadot looked the superhero part in a red sequined Givenchy gown.
At the film’s Mexico City premiere, Gadot embraced her dark side in a draped black gown with a dark lip.
