The Problematic "Cool Girl" Trope
- Raynna Baharuddin
- Feb 27, 2022
- 2 min read
We all know the “cool girl.” A character who constantly finds her way in every film genre, whether it is the latest superhero movie, comedy, drama, or romcom. She loves junk food, but stays skinny. She doesn’t care about makeup, but always looks fantastic. She is never angry, and is one of the guys. If he likes cars, she understands mechanics. If he likes superheroes, she is a comic book genius. Most importantly, she is “not like other girls.”
The “cool girl” is an encapsulation of the male fantasy. She seems to like everything traditionally-masculine and agrees with everything her male counterpart thinks. But even if she manages to possess all the internal characteristics that make up this type, none of that will matter if she is not downright gorgeous, because “cool girls” are above all hot. This means that they do not only have to be exactly how the guy wants them to be, but they also have to look the way he wants her to. Take the MCU for instance— since 2010, Black Widow has gained a great deal of attention among the male audience by being like any of the guys with the exception of looking like Scarlett Johansson.
This is not to say that women cannot display likings towards traditionally-masculine interests, for women are complex, making their desires various and vast. This trope simply refers to the stereotypical and systematic archetype born from male writers and directors who create such characters to solely fit the male gaze. Not to mention that they are oversexualized the majority of the time. This is most evident in Transformer’s Mikaela, played by Megan Fox. She is an expert on cars and shows parallel interests to her male counterpart. Mikaela wore a tank top, short bottoms, and boots, constantly captivating the guy’s eyes with her exposed skin and tan complexion. She was reduced to a sexual appeal when she had the potential to become a clever, resourceful young woman.
The main issue with this trope is that it brings other women down. Oftentimes, these characters are juxtaposed with another famous trope who is more classically feminine, sensitive, and uptight; occasionally referred to as the girly girls. In “Black Swan,” Mila Kunis’ character, Odile, is used to demean Natalie Portman’s character, ballerina Nina, and her emotions. While Nina is hardworking and anxious, Odile has tattoos and drinks, catching the attention of their male instructor.
The unrealistic criteria surrounding the “cool girl” set an impossible standard for girls everywhere. Men created it to pit women against other women. We encounter girls trying to separate their femininity to gain attention because according to this trope, they are only desirable when they act like a man wearing a supermodel face. Although there is nothing wrong with girls who display masculine-inclined interests, the issue starts when people view them as superior to those who like shopping and makeup.
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