Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Life and Advice

TikTokers Won't Stop Calling Out The Male Gaze And It's Quality Content

Some men just give off "written by women" vibes. - by Catie Powers
  • 05 Aug 2021

If you think TikTok is all viral dances and Wendy Williams soundbites, then we’ll have you know there are very complex feminist film theories being discussed on this app.

Yep, users are calling out the “male gaze” and we’re so here for it.

WATCH: Gen Z is exposing their main character syndrome on TikTok

What is the male gaze?

Ok, so you know when you’re watching a movie or a TV show and the female character is undertaking a completely normal task like reading a book or studying or literally just existing and, for some reason, she’s overly sexualised?

Scroll to the credits and you’re bound to see the film in question has been written or directed by a man.

While we like to call this misogynistic trash, this form of sexualisation actually has a technical name, coined by scholar and filmmaker Laura Mulvey. And that is the “male gaze”.

The concept was introduced in her 1975 essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema, and if you’re planning on studying film, feminism etc. at university, be prepared to be set this essay for one of your weekly readings.

male-gaze-in-film

TikTok is calling out the male gaze in film and we're here for it.

Getty

To simplify this complex concept, Mulvey’s idea of the male gaze refers to a way of viewing women which sexualises and objectifies them, while empowering men. Basically, women lose their autonomy and are framed by male desire. It’s also an extremely heteronormative way of viewing women, just for that extra cherry on top.

Within this concept, Mulvey explains that women in cinema are characterised by their “to-be-looked-at-ness” and the man is “the bearer of the look”.

As a response, the idea of the “female gaze” has been thrown around to represent the perspective used by female filmmakers - who do not strip women of their autonomy, oversexualise them and actually frame them in positions of power… funny that.

And now, Gen Z has taken to TikTok to compare the male and female gaze in the absolute best way possible… by recreating and mocking typical “male gaze” scenarios through POVs.

Check out some of our favourites below.

TikTok
TikTok
TikTok
TikTok

Not only are teens filming themselves in the point of view of the “male gaze” to demonstrate just how ludicrous and misogynistic it really is, they are also providing real life examples of how the male gaze takes form in film.

A particular comparison that has been circulating TikTok is how women in DC and Marvel movies have been portrayed when subject to a male director, compared with how they are represented under a female director.

Take a look at the comparisons for yourself.

TikTok
TikTok
TikTok

As a bonus quintessentially Gen Z stan culture thing to do, TikTokers are also compiling lists of male celebrities they think give off "written by women" vibes.

Repeat offenders include Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, Dylan O’Brien and basically any famous “good guy”.

Here are the male celebs TikTokers think were "written by women".

TikTok
TikTok
TikTok
TikTok

Want more fashion, beauty, health and pop culture news from Girlfriend?

Follow us on Instagram @girlfriendmag & turn ON our post notifications in the top right-hand corner of our IG profile so you never miss a post

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Remember to add our homepage to your favourites https://www.girlfriend.com.au/

WATCH: Trailer for Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland

Catie Powers

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

Why are we so obsessed with self-diagnosing on TikTok?

Why are we so obsessed with self-diagnosing on TikTok?

Benee's world domination: Supalonely singer takes off on tour

Benee's world domination: Supalonely singer takes off on tour

TikTok won't stop arguing about wheels and doors and how did this debate even come about?

TikTok won't stop arguing about wheels and doors and how did this debate even come about?

Carla from Bankstown on your must-have Mardi Gras accessories

Carla from Bankstown on your must-have Mardi Gras accessories

{headline}

{headline}

How To Safely Navigate TikTok's Toxic Pro-Anorexia Content

How To Safely Navigate TikTok's Toxic Pro-Anorexia Content

Kendall Jenner Has Joined TikTok And This Is How Much She's Earning

Kendall Jenner Has Joined TikTok And This Is How Much She's Earning

Clean Look Beauty Is Taking Over Social Media And It’s A Classic

Clean Look Beauty Is Taking Over Social Media And It’s A Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Queen of Tumblr Alexa Chung’s Most Iconic Twee Fashion Moments

Queen of Tumblr Alexa Chung’s Most Iconic Twee Fashion Moments

Rory Eliza's Golden Advice If You Want To Get TikTok Famous

Rory Eliza's Golden Advice If You Want To Get TikTok Famous

EXCLUSIVE: AJ Clementine's TikTok ‘Turning Point’ Changed Everything

EXCLUSIVE: AJ Clementine's TikTok ‘Turning Point’ Changed Everything

TikTok Princess AJ Clementine’s Mental Health Tip Has Us Glowing

TikTok Princess AJ Clementine’s Mental Health Tip Has Us Glowing

How A New Self-Defence TikTok Dance Is Championing Gender Equality

How A New Self-Defence TikTok Dance Is Championing Gender Equality

Couch Guy Has Taken Over Our TikTok And We Want It Back

Couch Guy Has Taken Over Our TikTok And We Want It Back

These Are The Books TikTok Can’t Stop Raving About

These Are The Books TikTok Can’t Stop Raving About

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%