Being intimidating requires a show of bravery and strength or a psychopathic and calculating persona. Pop culture has various female characters that have flipped the coin on the shy and righteous stereotype associated with women and portrayed a personality that blows away the audience’s minds. Here’s a list of 20 female characters from film and TV who have either shown humongous courage or tapped into their cold-hearted side—both of which are extremely fearful.
1. Ellen Ripley from Alien
Portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise is an influential character and a mainstay in pop culture. She begins as a warrant officer but becomes the commander-in-chief after her superior dies. Ripley’s bravery and tact allow her to bravely take on the Alien, single-handedly flushing it out of the spaceship. Ridley Scott’s decision to make Ripley a woman opened the gates for women to have leading roles in sci-fi films.
2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games franchise is known for its action, adventures, and political dynamics, which make it a thrilling watch. Amongst all this, the movie’s protagonist, Katniss Everdeen—portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence—is a headstrong woman who was not planning to participate in the Hunger Games but does it for her sister. She soon outwits everyone in all the challenges and even stands up to rebel against the corrupt authorities. Everdeen is an iconic character.
3. Alice from Resident Evil
Based on the popular video game, the Resident Evil movie franchise has wowed fans with its haunting atmosphere and adrenaline-fueled action. The movie is led by the lead character, Alice—played by Milla Jovovich—who is a righteous and brave character on a mission to take down the evil Umbrella Corporation. As the face of the rebellion, she takes down horrific creatures with Elan and is an iconic character.
4. Vee Parker from Orange is the New Black
One of the most popular shows of recent times, Orange is the New Black, is a series that focuses on the dynamics of female inmates inside a prison. Viewers are introduced to Vee Parker (played by Lorraine Toussaint), who quickly establishes her insidious and psychopathic personality. Highly intelligent, she knows how to read people and uses their weaknesses and a combination of fear and manipulation for her benefit. Her character is remorseless, and that makes her darkly evil.
5. Sarah Connor from The Terminator
The Terminator was a watershed movie in cinematic history, known for its advanced visuals, unique storyline, and the famous character of Sarah Connor. Essayed by Linda Hamilton, Connor is introduced as the mother of John Connor, who would save humans from the machines’ nuclear holocaust in the future. Even though she is naïve and afraid at the beginning, she soon transforms into a courageous woman and mother, which makes her character dynamic and inspirational.
6. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter
Played by Emma Watson, Hermione Granger is a central character in the widely acclaimed Harry Potter series and one of cinema's most popular characters. Her studious and non-nonsense attitude makes her a strong role model. And her undying loyalty towards her friends and loved ones, makes her an audience’s favorite. Further, when it is time, she is ready to whip out her fiery persona and stop anyone who means harm.
7. Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones
As one of the central female characters in the famous Game of Thrones series, Cersei Lannister strikes fear in the heart with her ruthless and cold-hearted persona. Played by Lena Headey, she refuses to play second fiddle in a male-dominated world and uses her sex appeal, treachery, and influence to get her way. Her ferocious temper and conniving smile truly make her one of the most intimidating characters.
8. Trinity from The Matrix
Known for its futuristic appeal, philosophical themes, and blazing action, The Matrix is a popular favorite. While Neo is the protagonist, another character, Trinity, is an equally courageous female character in the movie. Played by Carrie-Anne Moss, Trinity is a well-defined character skilled in computer hacking and programming. She is Morpheus’ shadow and helps him to free people from the matrix. Plus, she knows martial arts.
9. Mulan from Mulan
One of the most beloved animated movies, Mulan, is one of the few Disney movies to break away from the damsel-in-distress trope and portray a brave female protagonist. Voiced by Ming-Na Wen, Mulan is fiercely patriotic towards her people and refuses to be a passive character in the war against the Huns. She is unafraid to don a male attire and marches ahead of everyone, when she joins the army. Her character is an inspiration for many young girls.
10. Imperator Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road
Charlize Theron impressed everyone when she compellingly portrayed the brave character of Imperator Furiosa in the action film Mad Max: Fury Road. The movie is set in an apocalyptic world where survival is a daily battle. Under such conditions, Furiosa shines as a brave warrior who is skilled in driving and shooting. Her quest to free the wives of Immortan Joe makes her an inspirational character for women.
11. The Bride from Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino’s unique action movie Kill Bill is a cult classic. In no small manner, Uma Thurman’s captivating portrayal of the revenge-seeking bride has contributed to the movie's hype. The unnamed character vows to exact vengeance upon those who killed her groom and destroyed her wedding. In a fiercely blood-soaked avatar, she goes on a murder spree and is rightly one of the most intimidating female characters.
12. Villanelle from Killing Eve
This show focuses on the cat-and-mouse chase between an intelligence officer and an international assassin. Killing Eve presents a world of power, manipulation, attraction, and murder. The character of Villanelle (played by Jodie Comer) is a highly-trained assassin who feels no guilt for the lives she takes. Obsessed with Eve, she uses insidious tactics to keep Eve on her toes. Known for her ability to switch accents and don fashionable attire, she is a femme fatale.
13. Leia Organa from Star Wars
A legendary female character from a legendary film franchise, Leia (played by Carrie Fisher), is one of cinema's most influential female characters. In Star Wars, she is assuredly in command as a rebel member, and she eventually leads the rebellion against the evil galactic empire. For its time, Leia’s character is one of the few women roles portrayed with a will of their own and an ability to stand on par with men.
14. Grace from Ready or Not
Portrayed by Samara Weaving, Grace is a unique combination of vulnerability and determination. After she realizes that she married into a sadistic family, she takes up arms to protect herself and get out of their conniving games. From making makeshift weapons in her bridal attire to ruthlessly dealing with twisted traps, Grace is a fierce female character who inspires people with her passion and courage.
15. Merida from Brave
As the name suggests, Brave is a heroic animated movie that revolves around the central character of Merida. Voiced by Kelly Macdonald, the fiery locks of her hair match her fiery personality. She is free-spirited and is skilled in archery and sword skills. As one of the few headstrong animated female characters, she challenges the restrictions set on women and carves her own path.
16. Harley Quinn from The Suicide Squad
Played by Margot Robbie, Harley Quinn is one of the most interesting characters in comic books and on screen. Introduced as a psychologist to the Joker, the villain’s manipulation works on Harley, and she becomes a mix of chaos and charisma. From being an accomplice and lover to the Joker, she is ready to cause mayhem with her signature baseball bat and maniacal smile. Her character is brash and intimidating.
17. Shuri from Black Panther
Letitia Wright does a marvelous job of portraying the brave-hearted Shuri in Black Panther. As the sister to the protagonist, T’Challa, or the Black Panther, she is equally brave and not someone to mess with. As the Princess of Wakanda, she does not sit around; instead, Shuri uses her intelligence to create technology that powers the high-tech world of Wakanda. Even in fights, she shows her full force and destroys the enemies.
18. Lara Croft from Tomb Raider
Lara Croft is a beloved character in video games and movies. Played by Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider franchise, Croft plays a ferocious treasure hunter who explores perilous destinations with courage. While hunting for treasure, she comes across various challenges and enemies, but Croft knows how to defend herself while destabilizing her enemy. Her character is one of the few female video game characters that are shown in a positive light.
19. Amy Dunne from Gone Girl
Amy Dunne (essayed by Rosamund Pike) is the definition of demonstrating unhinged behavior in the Gone Girl book and film adaptation. Wife of Nicholas Dunne, she comes to know about her husband’s extramarital affair, and all hell breaks loose. One of the most conniving and insidious characters, she uses her charm and manipulation to get her way while ruining her husband’s life extremely subtly.
20. Maleficent in Maleficent
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The fantasy movie Maleficent centers around the titular character (played by Angelina Jolie), who changes from a good-hearted fairy to an evil witch after she gets betrayed by her lover. With twisted horns, a black coat, and sharp cheekbones, she presents a menacing figure. Once betrayed, she now stops at nothing and fears no one. In Maleficent's universe, she is a singularly enigmatic figure. Even though she still has some kindness in her heart, her steely exterior is daunting.
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