Journal Title
N/A
Volume
N/A
Issue
N/A
First Page
3
Document Type
Book
Publication Information
2026
Abstract
From its beginnings, science fiction has been about humanity's battle for dominion over "the other," whether that means aliens, giant monsters, or nature herself. Especially in the male-centric military, that same designation of "other" is often assigned to women. Yet in the realm of science fiction, women in the military can attain what is often elusive in the real world—full participation and equality.
Chapters correspond to broad topics prevalent in science fictions films: Conquest, Evolving, Peril, Prey, Ethereal, and Exploration. The book focuses on portrayals of military women in science fiction films, exploring how they are able to excel in the military, rising with rank and respect more readily than in traditional war films. In the films presented here, women in uniform are more visible and function in a variety of leadership roles—commanding armies and eradicating threats while reaching for the stars and beyond, moving closer to a time when it is no longer the case that the only time gender equality in the military can be fully achieved is when aliens are involved.
Recommended Citation
Military Women in Sci-Fi Films: Breaking Barriers Since 1902 © 2026 Stacy Fowler and Deborah A. Deacon by permission of McFarland.
Included in
Film and Media Studies Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Military History Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Women's History Commons, Women's Studies Commons