Why Pandering Weakens Representation in Modern Cinema

In modern cinema, the desire for more diverse and strong female characters is often clouded by the danger of pandering—creating characters who feel artificial or tokenized. Pandering happens when diversity and empowerment are shoehorned into a story without authentic development, making the character’s existence feel more about fulfilling quotas than offering genuine representation.

Take, for example, Ghostbusters (2016). While the idea of an all-female Ghostbusters team was progressive and exciting, some critics argued that the characters felt more like representations of a social agenda than fully developed individuals. Instead of being organically integrated into the plot, the focus on their gender sometimes overshadowed the storytelling, which detracted from their growth as characters.

Similarly, when characters are “strong” simply for the sake of being strong, without a well-rounded backstory or internal conflict, they can come across as flat or one-dimensional. Female characters should be written with the same depth and complexity as their male counterparts, and their struggles, weaknesses, and growth should be just as important to their journey as their strengths. True representation comes from authentic storytelling, where diverse characters are not just included for appearances but are fully realized and integral to the plot.

Pandering to diversity may initially grab attention, but it fails to create meaningful, lasting representation. Genuine character development allows audiences to connect on a deeper level and empowers female characters in a more impactful way.