5 Great but Rather Unknown Science Fiction and Fantasy Movies Directed by Women, Starring Women

The genres of science fiction and fantasy are not exclusively masculine territory. Over the last few decades, female directors have brought to the screen some of the most visually stunning, intellectually daring, and deeply moving works of speculative fiction. From big Hollywood productions like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel to independent low-budget films, women filmmakers are making a name for themselves around the world. From behind the camera, they reshape and offer fresh perspectives on themes such as identity, survival, and wonder.

Below, you’ll find a list of five of the most recent movies centered on female protagonists, directed by women.

Petite Maman (2021)

Fans of time-travel paradoxes will love this absolutely enchanting French film, which runs just 72 minutes. Directed by Céline Sciamma, Petite Maman explores grief, identity, and family through the eyes of an eight-year-old girl in the wake of her grandmother’s death.

The young protagonist confronts profoundly emotional adult experiences while also navigating the whimsical nature of childhood friendship and the enduring family bonds. The most astounding thing about the movie is its atmosphere, which feels both escapist and deeply grounded. Sciamma’s insightful camerawork and writing are nothing short of genius.

While perfection may not exist, Petite Maman comes remarkably close. I simply can’t praise this movie enough.

I’m Your Man (2021)

Before directing the acclaimed She Said, German filmmaker Maria Schrader made this quirky and romantic comedy set in the near future. I’m Your Man examines the idea of human-robot relationships in a casual and upbeat tone through the perspective of a forty-something woman who specializes in robot evaluation, and gently explores topics of compromise and loneliness. 

Beautifully acted and directed, it closely follows the protagonist as she undergoes a series of introspections and discoveries while evaluating a robot designed to be her ideal partner. In the age of AI, this is a film well worth watching.

Clara Sola (2021)

Directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén, this aesthetically stunning Swedish–Costa Rican co-production centers on an oppressed and isolated middle-aged woman undergoing a journey of self-discovery and healing while living within a deeply religious family and community.

Set against the open and lush Costa Rican landscape, Clara Sola’s story feels suffocating and raw. The lead actress delivers an extraordinary performance, powerfully conveying her character’s turmoil and despair as she gradually awakens to a reality far different from the one imposed upon her by her family and village.

Plan 75 (2022)

In the near future, faced with a rapidly aging population, the Japanese government establishes a voluntary euthanasia program for the elderly as a way to ease the burden on society. Directed by Chie Hayakawa, Plan 75 is a quiet meditation on life, death, and the meaning of community, seen through the eyes of an elderly woman.

Despite the heaviness of its subject matter, Hayakawa maintains a restrained, humane, and even inspiring tone throughout the film. While it clearly critiques ageism, Plan 75 can also be interpreted as a reflection on what it truly means to be human and part of a community.

Aniara (2018)

This Swedish science fiction film explores the adaptability and resilience of human beings. Directed by Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja, Aniara follows a young woman working aboard a large spaceship bound for Mars. After the ship veers off course to avoid a debris collision, it loses control of its navigation system.

The story follows the protagonist as she struggles to adapt to the terrifying reality of being stranded in space, all the while witnessing unpredictable social and psychological changes emerge among the passengers over time.

Slow-burning and deeply unsettling, Aniara may take some patience to fully appreciate, but once it gets under your skin, it lingers long afterward.

Each of these films, guided by masterful directors, represents the woman at different stages of her life. In Petite Maman, she is a child confronting one of the most profound experiences in human existence. In Aniara, she is a young woman facing the possible extinction of humankind. In Clara Sola and I’m Your Man, she goes through a series of self-discoveries as she approaches middle age. And in Plan 75, she reflects on the meaning of life at its final stage.

From magical realism to space odysseys, these visionary directors prove once again, through their beautiful and thought-provoking films, that art belongs to everyone. And the stories they tell will make you wonder.