Van Helsing: A Critical Look at Female Representation

The Syfy series Van Helsing presents a post-apocalyptic vampire world led by Vanessa Helsing, descendant of the famed vampire hunter. While boasting strong female characters in power positions, the show’s representation of female strength sometimes falters. An early scene exemplifies this: Vanessa encounters a man assaulting his partner and intervenes, decisively defeating him.

This scene, meant to showcase Vanessa’s combat skills, utilizes a tired trope: a woman proving her strength by fighting an abuser. While intending to portray Vanessa as a protector, the execution leans into a simplistic “good versus evil” binary lacking nuance. Vanessa’s capabilities could have been established without resorting to a heavy-handed portrayal of domestic violence.

Furthermore, the show sometimes prioritizes overt displays of female empowerment over subtle character development. While featuring a female doctor, military leader, and soldiers following a woman’s command, these positive representations are occasionally overshadowed by moments that feel forced. The show’s strength lies in its diverse cast of capable women, but the narrative occasionally stumbles in highlighting these strengths. Subtlety and nuance, as demonstrated in scenes where women naturally hold authority, are more effective than contrived scenarios.

The core issue isn’t about a female protagonist who can fight; it’s about the context. Vanessa’s competence can be established through various challenges, not just by pitting her against an abusive man. This reliance on a predictable trope can alienate viewers. There are more creative ways to showcase female strength in a vampire apocalypse: facing supernatural threats, leading a resistance, making strategic decisions.

Ultimately, Van Helsing raises questions about representing female empowerment in media. The creators clearly aim to challenge traditional gender roles. However, the execution sometimes falls short, relying on simplistic tropes and sacrificing nuanced storytelling. The show’s potential for social commentary is undermined by heavy-handed messaging. Strong female characters aren’t problematic; it’s the lazy writing that occasionally accompanies them in Van Helsing that needs addressing. Thoughtful character development and storytelling would allow exploring complex themes of gender and power without predictable tropes.