Move over Gabbar Singh, these 9 female anti-heroes will actually terrify you
Looks, charm and a killer attitude, these women are as bad as they get
As Indian cinema-goers, we’ve been raised on certain formulaic characters — a morally impeccable hero, an aadarsh (ideal in the eyes of the patriarchy) female lead, a sexy, often curly-haired ‘vamp’, and a villain with an all-black wardrobe. Everyone behaves predictably, we fall in love with the hero, envy the heroine, cheer during the fight sequences, curse the overpriced popcorn, and return home.
But every once in a while, things take an interesting turn. Sometimes, a woman is pushed to the brink of violence, and she hits back. She sheds her demure skin and emerges as a bone-chilling anti-hero, often in response to flagrant oppression and injustice. And she does this with style, wit and dramatic eye makeup.
So if you’re in the mood for some good-looking action, turn to these iconic female anti-heroes who subvert all the usual tropes and challenge the status quo (Alert: spoilers ahead). While there must be several overlooked or unappreciated anti-heroines in the history of celluloid, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites. Women who woke up and chose violence, in a sharp cat-eye and bright heels, no less. Trust us, you’d never want to get on their bad side.
Stream these movies with iconic female anti-heroes
Ok-ju in Ballerina (2023)
This Korean action thriller takes the viewers on a vengeance-fulled roller coaster ride. Jang Ok-ju (Jeon Jong-seo) plays a private bodyguard who goes on a warpath after her best friend, a ballerina named Choi Min-hee, is found dead. She leaves behind a note asking her friend to exact revenge. What ensues is Ok-ju’s determined search for truth and justice, which leads her to single-handedly uncover and take on a formidable sex-trafficking gang. The film is a visual treat, with finely choreographed fight sequences that highlight Ok-ju’s impeccable combat skill. Her quietly intimidating on-screen presence and killer moves deliver a clear message: a little less conversation, a little more action.
Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023)
If looks could kill, Nandini from Ponniyin Selvan:II would be an unstoppable assassin. The beautiful and mysterious queen of Pazhuvoor, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, furtively plans the downfall of the Chola empire, especially her former lover Aditha Karikalan. She uses her mesmerising looks and intimidating presence for power and personal gain, manipulating those around her to become pawns in her grand schemes. This historical epic features an impressive ensemble, but when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appears on screen as Nandini, you know she means business. Calculative and sinister with a brilliant mind, Nandini knows how to get the job done, without getting her hands dirty.
Watch online on Amazon Prime Video
Arti in Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)
If you were pushed off a cliff by your lover, only to be mauled by deadly crocodiles, we bet you’d be pissed too. Khoon Bhari Maang is a Hindi cinema classic, and stars the enigmatic Rekha as Arti, a rich, widowed single mother. She meets a violent end after her lover (Kabir Bedi) and her best friend hatch a sinister plan to acquire her wealth. But if there’s one thing we know about Hindi movies, this literal cliffhanger is not where the story ends. After she is rescued by a passerby, Arti undergoes a literal transformation, using plastic surgery to go from disfigured victim to a relentless femme fatale. Rekha’s iconic turn as a woman seeking revenge, complete with a badass wardrobe and killer attitude, makes her one of the most iconic anti-heroines in Indian cinema.
Bulbbul in Bulbbul (2020)
Adarsh bahu (ideal daughter-in-law) by day and killer chudail (witch) by night, our leading lady deftly balances both roles in this supernatural thriller. Set in an eerie village in 19th-century Bengal, the movie stars Triptii Dimri as the titular Bulbbul, who is married off to a wealthy, much-older man named Indranil when she is still a child. Years later, suspecting her of infidelity, Indranil beats Bulbbul and mutilates her feet. While still recovering from her injuries, she is sexually assaulted by her brother-in-law, who accidentally suffocates her. But Bulbbul returns from the dead as a deadly vigilante, armed with supernatural powers and a mission to punish exploitative and abusive men. As her story becomes village lore, Bulbbul reclaims her feminine power as a justice-serving chudail. If you’re craving a thriller served with a side of horror, Bulbbul will hit all the right notes.
Badrunissa in Darlings (2022)
Bollywood’s current darling, Alia Bhatt, made a phenomenal anti-heroine as Badrunissa (‘Badru’), a love-struck woman in an abusive marriage. Her husband Hamza repeatedly transforms from a doting partner to an abusive alcoholic with rage issues. An optimist at heart, Badru employs her mother’s help to find innovative ways to get him to quit drinking, but to no avail. A cirrhosis diagnosis finally convinces Hamza to give up alcohol, but Badru’s problems cease to end. As it becomes clear that his violent nature has nothing to do with alcohol, Badru decides to teach him a few hard lessons about violence, terror and pain. The devoted wife turned vengeful anti-heroine proves you should never take a woman’s loving nature for granted. You will find yourself rooting for Badru till the very end because, well, payback’s a b****.
The Bride in Kill Bill Volume 1 (2003)
What happens when an ex-assassin decides to go on a revenge spree? You get Kill Bill Volume 1. Uma Thurman stars as Bride, a former member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, led by the titular Bill. The ‘deadliest woman in the world’ is shot during her wedding rehearsal by Bill, while pregnant with his child, and falls into a coma. When she finally awakens four years later, she goes on a revenge-fuelled killing spree with Bill as her primary target. Thurman is fantastic in her portrayal of a woman driven to follow her worst instincts with bone-chilling confidence. She’s propelled by the grief of betrayal, both from the man she once loved, and the friends she once considered closer than family.
Watch online on Amazon Prime Video
Amy in Gone Girl (2014)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Amy Dunne illustrates this perfectly in Gone Girl. Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, the movie begins with a peek into the seemingly perfect marriage of couple Amy and Nick Dunne (Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck). But beneath this placid exterior rests a murky tale of lies and deceit, which comes to the fore when Amy goes missing, and all suspicion falls on Nick. Gone Girl is one of those mind-bending thrillers that keeps you spiralling in a state of confusion, from the first plot twist. Amy’s psychopathic nature is revealed, along with her elaborate scheme to set up Nick for her murder as revenge for his infidelity. Rosamund Pike’s steely, unsettling performance as a woman who will stop at nothing, not even draining her own blood, for the sweet taste of revenge has given us one of the most disturbing, almost villainous, anti-heroines of our time.
Cassie in Promising Young Woman (2020)
Jab ghee seedhi ungli se na nikle, toh ungli tedhi karni padti hai (If something can’t be achieved legitimately, you have to turn crooked) is a one-line summary of this movie. Cassie Thomas is a 30-year-old woman with a day job at a coffee shop. At night, she pretends to be a drunk woman at clubs in an attempt to expose predatory men who take advantage of her intoxicated state. Why? Cassie is haunted by a traumatic past and seeking revenge for her best-friend, who committed suicide after being raped by a classmate. She sets into motion her elaborate plan to punish everyone involved in Nina’s rape. Carey Mulligan is perfect as a seemingly unsuspecting but deeply calculative woman who’s always one step ahead of everyone. With a bold red lip and pure determination, she proves that if your mind is set on righting the wrongs, nothing is too hard.
Watch online on Jio Cinema, Zee5 or YouTube
Maleficent in Maleficent (2014)
Witches are never the heroes of fairytales, unless they’re Maleficent. This 2014 live-action retelling of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty turns the spotlight on its anti-heroine, the witch who cursed Princess Aurora. Maleficent is a fairy living in the Moors, a magical forest that shares a border with a human kingdom. As a young girl, she falls in love with a peasant named Stefan, but as they grow older, his ambition leads him to betray Maleficent. He cuts off her wings as proof of her death in an attempt to impress the ruling king and secure his throne. Bitter and betrayed, Maleficent and the Moors turn vengeful, and she curses Stefan’s daughter Aurora, thereby leading to the events of Sleeping Beauty. However, Maleficent’s true enemy is Stefan, not Aurora, for whom she gradually develops maternal love, and their relationship develops into one of tenderness. Angelina Jolie is regal and terrifying as the dark fairy with a wicked streak. The film is a hatke twist on the usual fairytale fare; do not miss it.
Watch online on Disney + Hotstar
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