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🟢 Observations

Character tropes tend to vary significantly depending on the genre, making them a useful clue for identifying a movie’s style. However, some tropes cross genre boundaries. For example, the "crazy jealous guy" appears in four different genres, likely because it’s a flexible and widely relatable trope that fits into many movie plots. This overlap suggests some tropes are more universal, while others are highly genre-specific. Later, we’ll dig deeper into whether certain tropes resonate more with audiences depending on the genre, if their presence boosts a movie’s success, and why some tropes appear in multiple genres. Do they bring something unique or simply reflect common storytelling patterns? Let’s find out!

🎥 Exploring gender and character tropes in films

🎯 Objective

In film, we often believe that there is a strong gendered representation of characters, with distinct traits and roles assigned to men and women. In this first part of our analysis, we will explore how characters are described across genders. Do the same words describe both men and women, or are the descriptions different? Are male and female characters portrayed with similar complexity?

Gender representation in films

🟢 Observations

There are 6 times more male occurence of these character tropes than female ones, which means that only 14% of the characters in this tropes dataset are women. This is half the count of women in films that we showed above which was already low. This shows that there are in addition to having a lot less female representation in movies, we also lack the data on which type of characters these actresses portray. The most common trope we see here for women are "dumb blonde" and "brainless beauty" which are very stereotypical tropes. However, it is important to note again that the dataset is not big enough and there is clearly not enough data for women archetypes.

📝 Lexical analysis: descriptive words

Now that we have observed the differences in the distribution and types of character tropes between genders, we will take a closer look at the lexical choices used to describe them. In this second part of the gender analysis, we will examine the variety and complexity of verbs and adjectives associated with male and female characters. How diverse is the language used for each gender? Are the descriptions nuanced or reductive? This will help us better understand how language contributes to the portrayal of gender in films.

Word count per character

	Male Characters	Female Characters
Mean	2.34 words	1.71 words
Median	2 words	2 words
Maximum	5 words	3 words

🟢 Observation
Male characters receive 37% more descriptive words on average than female characters, reflecting deeper character development.

Adjective usage

👇👇 Click to discover the different adjectives used to describe men and female characters ! 👇👇

Verb usage

👇👇 Click to discover the different verbs used to describe men and female characters ! 👇👇

🔵 Male Characters

Male characters are often described with verbs that emphasize action and role importance.

🟣 Female Characters

Female characters are rarely described with verbs, and when they are, the words tend to reflect passivity or simplicity.

📈 Sentiment analysis of descriptive words

Just below, you can see a vizualisation of the most used word to describe female and male character.

🟣 Female Characters

• Fewer words are used to describe female characters
• Predominantly negative words are used for female characters.
• The most common description for female characters is "dumb blond," which is reductive
• There are only two verbs used to describe female characters: "klutz", "broke"

🔵 Male Characters

• Male characters are described in more complex terms, reflecting more nuanced personalities
• Their descriptions encompass a wider range of lexical fields, including romantic, egomaniacal, and cultured
• More complex concept of romance are explored through the adjective "bromantic"
• Uncommon words, like "Byronic," are used to describe male characters
• "Byronic" refers to a moody rebel character, often with a dark secret, showcasing how even a single word can reveal a lot about a character

🟢 Observations

Movies evolve with the times, and so do their characters. The "corrupt corporate executive" remains a staple, reflecting society’s constant skepticism toward wealth and power. We’ve also fallen in love with antiheroes like the "byronic hero" and "hitman with a heart", trading classic traditional heroes for morally complex leads. Western-inspired tropes like "bounty hunters" and "retired outlaws" have faded but refuse to die, often reinvented in new genres. Comedy leans heavily on stereotypes like the "stoner" and "brainless beauty", while horror’s iconic "final girl" has grown into a symbol of resilience across genres. Ultimately, tropes act as cultural mirrors, capturing our fears, values, and fantasies that change through time.

🔎 What the data tells us

This first part of the analysis already reveals a complex landscape of character representation and storytelling that evolves over time while reflecting societal norms and shifts. The most common tropes in the dataset, such as "crazy jealous guy" and "corrupt corporate executive," demonstrate the versatility of certain character types that span multiple genres, indicating their widespread appeal. Some other tropes, however are a lot more niche and can only be found in specific genre or in the case of the “class cat burglar”, a specific movie.

In terms of gender representation, the analysis highlights a significant disparity between male and female characters. Women not only represent a smaller proportion of characters in films but are also underrepresented in trope-rich roles, with stereotypical portrayals. Where male characters are depicted with greater depth and complexity, female characters are often reduced to passive or simplistic traits.

The evolution of character tropes over time also paints an intriguing picture of shifting cultural values. As society has moved through different decades, the roles and traits of characters have adapted, reflecting changing attitudes towards power, gender, and morality.

Ultimately, this analysis underscores the importance of character tropes as both a mirror of cultural values and a tool for filmmakers to craft engaging storylines. But beyond their role in storytelling, these tropes also play a crucial part in a movie's success. Tropes that resonate with audiences can elevate a film, helping it connect with viewers on an emotional level or tap into universal themes.