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Fake Trailer “UNDERWRITTEN FEMALE CHARACTER” Confronts Sexism With Humor

The latest production from Nuclear Family, the “sketch comedy channel for the end of the world,” is a fake movie trailer that parodies Hollywood’s infamously underwritten female roles. In Underwritten Female Character: The Movie, Bree Essrig stars as the “Manic Pixie Dream Girl.”

When she gets dumped by her boyfriend, the actress gets kidnapped by the UFC (Underwritten Female Characters), a troupe of women embodying other stereotypical female roles: “Mama Bear” (Ceciley Jenkins) is a one-time star that got fired from Hollywood when she turned 36. “Sassy” (Shana Malcolm) is the overly supportive best friend that “also brings minorities to the theaters.” And “Eye Candy” (Ana Cheri), well, that one’s pretty self-explanatory.

The UFC divulge that Lola, as the manic pixie dream girl, only exists so that “sensitive men can experience life and explore its infinite mysteries and adventures.” They then put her on a training regimen to help her transcend her marginalized character. Lola receives a series of challenges that include having a conversation that’s not about getting dumped by her boyfriend, acknowledging an “Asian-American in a movie who just wants to be acknowledged” (played by Jenny Yang), and only getting a cup of coffee from a coffee shop infested with flannel-clad, glasses-wearing, Beach House-listening men who “all look so sad.”

The short was co-written by Essrig and Dani Rosenberg and directed by George Nienhuis. Its message, which succeeds in being both smart and funny, is based in something very real and Hollywood should take it to heart. Before the credits roll, the trailer ends with: “Coming Soon…Hopefully.” Indeed.

Any other classic UFC roles that this clip doesn’t include? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured image: Nuclear Family 

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