23/08/2026
Bechdel test/ˈbɛkdəl ˌtɛst/The Bechdel test is a simple way to see how women are shown in movies and other stories. A work passes the test if it has at least two named women, they talk to each other, and they talk about something other than a man.Watch this video to understand the simple rules of the Bechdel test and how media measures up:2mThe Bechdel Test - Everything You Need To Know253K views · 8 years agoYouTube · No Film SchoolThe Three RulesTwo women: The story must have at least two female characters.Named characters: Both women must have a name.Talk to each other: The two women must have a conversation.Not about men: What they talk about must not be about a man.History and PurposeOrigin: The test comes from a 1985 comic strip called D***s to Watch Out For by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel.Intent: It started as a funny joke to show how rare good female roles were in films.Meaning: Passing the test does not mean a movie is good or feminist. It only shows that women have an active presence and talk to each other about other topics.
