Ali Arsalan
Ocean’s 8, much to the surprise and shock of critics, exceeded expectations and left a lasting impression on audiences. With a stellar female cast including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and others, the film captured the essence of the beloved Ocean’s 11 series.
Embracing the exhilarating heist thrills that characterized the previous Ocean’s films, Ocean’s 8 faced criticism, labeled as both necessary and unworthy. Many believed that the film was merely “piggybacking” on the success of the $1.4 billion franchise, instead of creating a standalone all-women heist movie.
However, the film’s lead, Sandra Bullock, was ready with a strong response to address these concerns.
Ocean’s 8: Challenging Gender Imbalance and Dealing Criticism
The film industry has long struggled with unequal representation, but change has been slow to come. When Ocean’s 8, an all-women-led movie, was released as a sequel to a male-dominated franchise, it faced criticism for supposedly riding on its coattails. Critics expressed frustration, suggesting that women always relied on existing male franchises for progress.
Amidst the backlash, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, the film’s lead stars, had a prepared response. In an interview, Bullock urged Blanchett to shed the niceties on set.
“Stop being polite.”
Sandra Bullock
On the other hand, Blanchett swiftly emphasized the need for a balanced gender ratio;
“We need this proportion of men to women on crews…… It’s not just to make women happy for a small moment in time…… It’s a much more creative way to work.”
Cate Blanchett
Despite the ongoing criticism, Ocean’s 8 offered a fresh perspective by seamlessly integrating the narrative of women’s equality into its thrilling heist, challenging traditional notions.
Ocean’s 8: Commercial Success and Feminist Expectations
Ocean’s 8, with its star-studded all-female cast and global earnings of over $297 million, achieved commercial success. However, it faced criticism for not meeting feminist expectations and delivering a satisfying storyline. Despite attempting to break away from misogynistic perspectives, the movie was seen as falling into clichés, leading to accusations of shallowness.
While the movie may not have pleased everyone, it successfully shattered the notion that a female-led sequel could not stand on its own within a male-led franchise.
Ocean’s 8 is available for streaming on Netflix.