Movies With “Strong Female” Leads That Fans Called Mary Sues

The term “Mary Sue” describes a fictional character who is portrayed as overly perfect, lacking in flaws, or possessing unearned abilities. In the realm of modern cinema, this label is frequently applied to female protagonists whose skills and successes are perceived as bypassing traditional narrative development. While many fans view these characters as empowering icons, others critique them for a lack of relatability or tension within their respective stories. This discussion has become a prominent fixture in film criticism, particularly regarding blockbuster franchises. The following movies feature female leads that sparked widespread debate and were frequently categorized by audiences as Mary Sues.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2019)

Director Elizabeth Banks faced criticism when the film underperformed and audiences critiqued the leads as lacking depth. Critics often pointed to the trio’s near-effortless victory over adversaries as evidence of a lack of narrative stakes. Some fans argued the characters were too perfect to be relatable, fitting the Mary Sue archetype. The film attempted to modernize the franchise with a focus on sisterhood and female empowerment, but it struggled to find a consistent tone.

‘Twilight’ (2008)

Bella Swan is frequently cited in literary and cinematic discussions as a primary example of a Mary Sue. Fans and critics often note that her character possesses few defining personality traits yet is the object of intense desire for almost all major characters. Her lack of significant flaws or specialized skills that she must work for is a common point of contention. Despite this, the film launched a global phenomenon and defined a generation of Young Adult adaptations.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

This reboot faced significant backlash from audiences who felt the characters were overly capable without earned progression. The protagonists were often described as possessing intellect and bravery that outshone the original cast without facing traditional narrative hurdles. Discussions in online forums frequently labeled the team as Mary Sues due to the way they effortlessly managed paranormal threats. The movie sought to bring a fresh perspective to the 1980s classic but remained polarizing among the established fanbase.

‘The 355’ (2022)

This spy thriller featured a cast of elite international agents coming together to stop a global threat. Some viewers criticized the film for presenting its leads as untouchable and perpetually right in their tactical decisions. The lack of vulnerability or significant failure for the main characters led to comparisons with the Mary Sue trope in several reviews. It was intended as a gritty ensemble piece but struggled to win over skeptical audiences looking for more character growth.

‘Mulan’ (2020)

Unlike the 1998 animated original where the protagonist trains hard to gain skill, this live-action version introduces “chi” as an innate power. Many fans argued this change transformed a relatable character into a Mary Sue who was born powerful rather than becoming so. The narrative focuses on Mulan embracing her natural superiority rather than overcoming physical limitations through perseverance. This creative choice became a central point of debate regarding the film’s message and character arc.

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lara Croft was praised for its physicality but criticized for the character’s lack of emotional development. Fans of the video game series noted that this version of Croft was already a master of all trades with no visible weaknesses. This led to accusations of her being a “perfect” character who faced no real inner conflict during her adventures. The film remains a notable entry in the early wave of video game-to-film adaptations despite these character-driven critiques.

‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ (2019)

The introduction of Dani Ramos as the new savior of humanity sparked debate among the franchise’s long-term fanbase. Critics argued that her rapid transition from a civilian to a hardened leader felt unearned and rushed. Some fans felt the character was a Mary Sue designed to replace established icons without the necessary character development. The film served as a direct sequel to the second installment but failed to reach the same narrative heights as its predecessors.

‘Ocean’s Eight’ (2018)

Debbie Ocean leads a team of specialists to pull off a high-stakes heist at the Met Gala. While the film was successful, some fans felt the heist went too smoothly with almost zero friction for the leads. The characters were often viewed as being too competent, leaving little room for tension or personal growth. This perceived perfection led to online discussions categorizing the ensemble as Mary Sues due to their lack of meaningful obstacles.

‘Lucy’ (2014)

After being exposed to a synthetic drug, the title character begins to use 100% of her brain capacity. This leads to her gaining god-like powers including telekinesis and time travel, making her virtually unstoppable. Fans often point to Lucy as a Mary Sue because she loses her humanity and flaws almost immediately after her transformation. The film explores philosophical themes of existence while showcasing her absolute dominance over her physical environment.

‘Salt’ (2010)

Evelyn Salt is a CIA officer who goes on the run after being accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. The character displays an incredible level of combat and survival skill that some viewers found implausible for her background. Fans noted that she seemed to have a solution for every impossible situation, leading to frequent Mary Sue comparisons. The movie was a commercial success and was praised for its high-octane action sequences and Angelina Jolie’s performance.

‘Divergent’ (2014)

Tris Prior is discovered to be “Divergent,” meaning she fits into multiple social factions and possesses unique mental resistances. Critics and some fans argued that being naturally better at everything than her peers made her a textbook Mary Sue. The plot revolves around her unique status making her the only one capable of saving society from a rigid system. This trope is common in Young Adult dystopian fiction but was heavily scrutinized in this specific adaptation.

‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)

As the younger sister of Sherlock Holmes, Enola is depicted as being faster, smarter, and more observant than her famous brother. Some fans of the original Arthur Conan Doyle works felt this portrayal was unrealistic and turned her into a Mary Sue. The film shows her outmaneuvering established adult geniuses with very little effort or previous experience. It was a major hit on streaming platforms, praised for its charm despite the character criticisms from literary purists.

‘Red Sparrow’ (2018)

Dominika Egorova is a former ballerina who becomes a Russian intelligence officer with a natural talent for psychological manipulation. Some viewers felt her rise through the ranks and her ability to outsmart veteran spies happened too quickly to be believable. The character’s lack of significant mistakes during her grueling training led to Mary Sue labels in several film critiques. The movie is known for its dark tone and brutal depiction of the international spy world.

‘Resident Evil’ (2002)

The character Alice was created specifically for the film franchise and does not appear in the original video games. Throughout the series, she gains superhuman abilities that allow her to defeat hordes of monsters with extreme ease. Fans of the games often call her a Mary Sue because she frequently overshadows established characters like Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy. Despite these critiques, the film series became one of the most successful video game adaptations in history.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Lorraine Broughton is an elite MI6 agent sent to Berlin during the Cold War to retrieve a high-value list of double agents. While the film features realistic fight choreography, some fans argued the character was an “invincible” Mary Sue. Her ability to survive extreme physical trauma while maintaining a flawless appearance was a frequent point of audience discussion. The movie is highly regarded for its visual style and complex neon-noir aesthetic despite the character’s perceived perfection.

‘Black Widow’ (2021)

Natasha Romanoff’s solo outing explored her origins and her life between major events in the ‘Avengers’ timeline. Some fans criticized the film for making her appear physically indestructible compared to her more grounded depictions in earlier movies. The way she survived a massive fall and a high-speed car crash without injury led to “Mary Sue” accusations from certain segments of the audience. The film provided closure for the character while introducing new figures to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Captain Marvel’ (2019)

Carol Danvers enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe as one of its most powerful heroes, possessing cosmic abilities from her debut. A large portion of the online discourse centered on her lack of a traditional “hero’s journey” where she overcomes inherent weaknesses. Critics of the character argued that her near-instant mastery of her powers made her a Mary Sue. Despite the controversy, the film was a massive box-office success and a key part of the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ buildup.

‘Underworld’ (2003)

Selene is an elite vampire assassin caught in the middle of a centuries-old war against a race of Lycans. She is portrayed as being superior to almost every other character in both combat and strategic thinking throughout the franchise. This perceived perfection and her ability to constantly overcome overwhelming odds led to early 2000s Mary Sue discussions. The film’s Gothic atmosphere and action-heavy plot spawned a long-running franchise that remains popular with fans.

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ (2019)

Alita is a cyborg with a mysterious past who discovers she is a master of a lost and powerful martial art. While she does face external challenges, some viewers felt her natural combat superiority made her a Mary Sue. The character’s ability to dominate opponents who have trained for years was a frequent topic of debate among fans and critics. However, the film developed a dedicated cult following that praised its world-building and impressive visual effects.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)

Rey is perhaps the most famous modern example of a character labeled a Mary Sue by fans and film critics. Her ability to use the Force, fly the Millennium Falcon, and defeat a trained Sith apprentice without prior training sparked intense online debate. Critics argued that her lack of failure or need for a mentor deviated too far from the established rules of the ‘Star Wars’ universe. The film was a massive cultural phenomenon that successfully revitalized the brand for a new generation of viewers.

Please share your own thoughts on these character portrayals and the Mary Sue trope in the comments.