#NotMyFandom: The gendered nature of a misogynistic backlash in science fiction fandom

Abstract

Over the course of the last decade, we have seen attempts by mainstream media to improve diversity in mediums such as films, television shows, comics, and video games. For example, the film industry has focused on improving the representation of women characters, whether that be via an increase in female lead roles in franchises (such as Terminator Dark Fate, Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel), or via ‘gender swapped’ casts in remakes and sequels (such as Ocean’s 8, What Men Want, Overboard, and Ghostbusters Answer The Call). Such attempts by the film industry have had varying levels of success with fans and critics; however, it is the misogynistic backlash generated in response that is the focus of this article. I propose this backlash warrants attention from feminist psychologists, as prior research has come from the fields of media studies and communication science and tend to lack critique of the gendered nature of misogynistic behaviour.