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Christina Hupp

Phillips

Cultural Media Literacy H

19 Dec 2019

Busting Stereotypes

The new film, “Ghostbusters: Answer the Call” by Paul Feig, epitomizes the feminist

movement which confronts the multitude of stereotypes surrounding female representation in the

media. The 2016 debut of the film sparked public discourse and attracted media attention

regarding gender roles and female characterization in movies. Unlike typical films, which often

display females in subordinate roles, ​Ghostbusters: Answer the Call​ unconventionally honors

and emphasizes female intelligence, strength and skill. The four scientists in the film are depicted

as idiosyncratic, brilliant, independent women that embrace their peculiar mannerisms in order to

save the world from paranormal domination.

Throughout history, media platforms have portrayed women as dependable, submissive,

inferior individuals in comparison to their male patriarchs. The trailblazing film “Ghostbusters:

Answer the Call” defies historical precedents because it features an unorthodox gender role

swap. The female scientists in the movie are intellectually superior compared to their idiotic

male secretary and the arrogant Mr. Mayor of New York city. Most gender stereotypes

generalize women as nurturing individuals that are expected to adhere to certain dress codes and

take responsibility for domestic chores. In the new film, ​Ghostbusters,​ the female scientists

proudly exhibit their ghost-fighting jumpsuits and refuse to be restricted by societal expectations

about female careers. Surprisingly, one of the prominent male characters in the film, Kevin, is
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depicted as simpleminded in contrast to his genius female employers. ​Ghostbusters: Answer the

Call ​confronts the stereotypes that have plagued American culture for hundreds of years because

it displays the lead female actresses in empowering roles.

Throughout the movie, the characters experience adversity that hinders their success with

fighting ghosts, yet they persist and continue to contravene societal expectations. During the

climax of the film, the four ghostbusters battle Rowan, the malevolent apparition that wishes to

impose the wrath of the spirit world on New York City. Rowan makes the comment “you shoot

like girls” (Shamsian) to the female scientists who proceed to pulverize his plan and force him

back to the underworld. In addition to Rowan’s criticism, Dr. Martin Heiss, one of the original

ghostbusters, also belittles the ghostbuster’s work and discredits their scientific discoveries.

Despite the comments of Rowan and Dr. Martin Heiss, the females prove their intelligence and

scientific abilities. The four ghostbusters are not afraid to unconventionally display their gender

identities or defy the expectations of their male peers.

The filmmakers portray the ghostbusters in a comedic, disheveled fashion which creates

the sense that they are out of touch with society. The females are outcasts compared to the

ordinary people of New York City due to their choice of career, style and personalities.

Therefore, although the film succeeded in some areas of confronting gender stereotypes, it also

reinforced the typical licensed withdrawal that is common to female representation in the media.

The message of the film highlights that females are capable of great success and

discovery despite the norms imposed by society. The media responded to the film with a variety

of blog posts and reviews in regards to the film’s meaning. Numerous media sources have

recognized that normalizing females in scientific acting roles “can show that being a scientist is
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an entirely achievable goal for the young woman looking to her future career” (Chambers).

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call​ highlights the quirks and peculiarities of the ghostbusters while

also disregarding the typical submissive, dependable stereotypes associated with women in film.

The movie pioneers the path to eliminate the typecasting of female roles in cinematography.

Although the film was a major success, it sparked controversy because it depicts the

ghostbusters saving the day from not simply “​genderless, ill-defined ghosts, it has them saving

the day from — and for — men, too” (Shamsian). Therefore, the film goes beyond confronting

stereotypes due to the fact that it sets a new paradigm for females all over the world. The

ghostbusters are depicted as inspirational heroines that provide an exemplar for women to ignore

public expectations of females roles in society. As opposed to the vast history of cinematography

which glorifies male dominance, ​Ghostbusters: Answer the Call c​ elebrates the beauty and

capabilities of women.

Intersectionality is apparent in the film through one of the main characters, Patty, an

African American ghostbuster, as she makes the claim “I don’t know if it’s a race thing or a lady

thing but I’m mad as hell” when she fails to stage dive successfully (Chambers). Patty confronts

gender stereotypes throughout the film as a black woman. Rather than adhering to the four main

gender stereotypes “personality traits”, “domestic behaviors”, “occupations”, “physical

appearance” (Parenthood), Patty, along with the other ghostbusters, thwart all generalizations

about females as they express their unique personalities and impressive careers. The ghostbusters

refuse to allow their oppugnant skeptics to impede the credibility and success of their chosen

career.
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A stereotypical female tends to exhibit calming, nurturing characteristics and is often

held responsible for household chores and duties while the male patriarchs provide for the family

unit. Females have historically been expected to look very composed and are often associated

with a wardrobe comprised of dresses and are seen as caretaking individuals. Recently, the film

industry has neglected stereotypes common to females as apparent in ​Ghostbusters: Answer the

Call​. In ​Ghostbusters,​ the ghostbusters do not simply disregard gender stereotypes, they also

play “roles previously played and deemed suitable for men” (The Portrayal Of). Throughout

history male actors have exclusively played scientific roles and have been portrayed heroically

while female actresses play wives that stay home, servile to their husbands. In ​Ghostbusters:

Answer the Call​ the ghostbusters play what is historically, yet not currently, deemed as the “male

role” because they take action and exhibit self-confidence.

Overall, the actresses in ​Ghostbusters: Answer the Call​ confront stereotypes associated

with gender and female representation in movies because the ghostbusters don’t display

compliant, inferior, incapable qualities in relation to men. The movie paves the way to gender

equality and the elimination of gender stereotypes as it sets a new precedent for the film industry.

The release of ​Ghostbusters: Answer the Call​ sparked media attention and lead to a variety of

reviews about the movie due to the fact that the film contradicts gender norms. The ghostbusters

are characterized as intellectual, brave, and heroic females who prove that women all across the

world are capable of anything, despite the expectations that society has seared into the brains of

individuals.
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Works Cited

Chambers, Amy C., and David A. Kirby. “Sisters in Science: Ghostbusters Answers the Call.”

Thescienceandentertainmentlab.com,​ 7 Aug. 2017, thescienceandentertainmentlab.com/.

Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.

Kohn, Eric. “'Ghostbusters' Review: A Feminist Blockbuster That Could Have Been Better.”

IndieWire,​ 11 July 2016,

www.indiewire.com/2016/07/ghostbusters-review-melissa-mccarthy-kristen-wiig-120170

4245/#! Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.

Montpelier, Rachel. “Study: Stereotypes About Gender, Race, and Age Still Abound in Film.”

Women and Hollywood Study Stereotypes About Gender Race and Age Still Abound in

Film Comments​, 2017,

womenandhollywood.com/study-stereotypes-about-gender-race-and-age-still-abound-in-f

ilm-e08d741a7a8b/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.

Parenthood, Planned. “Gender Identity & Roles: Feminine Traits & Stereotypes.” ​Planned

Parenthood,​

www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/gender-gender-identity/wha

t-are-gender-roles-and-stereotypes. Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.

​ olumbia Pictures, 2016. Accessed 4

Paul, Feig, director. ​Ghostbusters: Answer the Call. C
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Jan. 2020.

“The Portrayal Of Female Characters In Films.” ​UKEssays.com​, 2017,

www.ukessays.com/essays/film-studies/the-portrayal-of-female-characters-in-films-film-

studies-essay.php. Accessed 4 Jan. 2020.

Sarkeesian, Anita. “Ghostbusters (2016) Review.” ​Feminist Frequency,​ 31 Dec. 2016,

feministfrequency.com/2016/07/18/ghostbusters-2016-review/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.

Shamsian, Jacob. “All of the Men in 'Ghostbusters' Are Idiots, and It's One of the Best Things

the Movie Does.” ​Insider​, Insider, 14 July 2016,

www.insider.com/men-in-the-new-ghostbusters-movie-idiots-subversive-feminist-2016-7

. Accessed 3 Jan. 2020.