Last Friday, my partner and I finally decided to treat ourselves and hired a babysitter for the evening. We enjoyed an early dinner, secured our tickets in advance, and sacrificed a full night’s sleep to indulge in a cinematic experience we hadn’t shared in years. With two little ones under the age of 3, late-night outings aren’t exactly high on our to-do list. Honestly, there’s no summer blockbuster that could pull me away from my precious sleep—unless it was something truly special.
This movie, however, promised to be exceptional.
As I stood in line for popcorn, I sensed a palpable excitement in the air. In front of me, a mother and her preteen daughter proudly donned matching Wonder Woman costumes. At that moment, I knew this film was going to resonate in a profound way.
As the lights dimmed and the familiar reminder to silence our phones flickered on the screen, I felt a rush of anticipation. I took a sip of my soda and grasped my partner’s hand.
“Why do I feel so anxious?” I whispered.
He smiled warmly and squeezed my hand back, a wordless reassurance. But even with his deep empathy, he couldn’t fully grasp the emotional tide I felt as I watched a lifelong hero come to life. Our first glimpse of Diana was as a 9-year-old girl, observing the fierce Amazon warriors training for battle. For those unfamiliar with this incredible universe, the Amazons are an all-female tribe. Just typing that gives me chills. Young Diana mirrored their movements, her freckled face glowing with fierce confidence. She was a spirited warrior, unrestrained by the limitations of a patriarchal society.
As I absorbed this scene, both as a woman and a mother, I felt profoundly moved. This portrayal reminded me of a little girl I once knew.
That little girl stood tall at her family birthday celebration, proudly wearing a cape and crown as her favorite superhero. She dared to dream that one day, she could soar through the skies. With an imaginary golden lasso in her hands, she kept the boys at the playground in line, her heart brimming with innocence and magic. No one could convince that 4-year-old that she couldn’t conquer the world, because look at Wonder Woman!
Regrettably, 30 years later, the magic of that innocent heart began to fade. I was constantly reminded of my place in a society that seemed intent on undermining my confidence and agency. From high school dynamics where boys were “just being boys,” while girls were labeled “sluts,” to professional environments where my role as a property manager was diminished to that of a “secretary” by male colleagues, the world seemed determined to strip away the essence of Wonder Woman.
As I watched Diana evolve on screen, I held my breath, bracing myself for the familiar narrative arc in which female superheroes often become flawed or damaged. Why must powerful women always be portrayed as needing to find their strength through love for a man? I wasn’t sure I could bear it. I longed for the same little girl who watched the warriors to simply grow into one herself.
Then, to my delight, she did! minor spoiler alert Amidst the chaos of World War I, Diana shed her civilian clothes and emerged as the Wonder Woman we had all hoped for. As the men around her protested, “No! Don’t go! It’s too dangerous!” Gal Gadot boldly climbed out of the trench and into No Man’s Land, where she took down her adversaries one by one. Because she could.
When the credits rolled, my partner turned to me with a smile.
“Well?”
I beamed back. “It was perfect.”
To me, it truly was. Wonder Woman serves as a fierce rebuttal to the societal blows that often undermine our daughters. She is emotionally rich but not reliant on others. She is stunning but not confined by her looks. She is powerful and unapologetic. As I lay in bed that night, replaying the film’s remarkable scenes, I felt the spirit of that little girl awaken within me. Her cape and crown were intact, and her invisible lasso was swinging through the playground. Her eyes sparkled with confidence, and her heart was brimming with wonder.
This is the superhero our daughters need, and it’s about time we embraced her.
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In summary, the reimagining of Wonder Woman is not just about a character; it’s about restoring hope and confidence in the next generation of girls. We’ve waited far too long for a hero who embodies strength and independence—now it’s time for all young girls to see themselves represented in a way that empowers them.