A week and a half ago, I read a headline that shocked me, but in a good way. Per EMPIRE, the Academy is currently exploring the possibility of adding a stunt category at the Oscars. Quoted in that EMPIRE article, Academy CEO Bill Kramer said, “We’re talking to members of the stunt community who are Academy members about the possibility of that.”

As a fan of action movies, I think the Stunt Award category is long overdue. So in light of this exciting possibility, I thought I’d post a review of Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story. Based on a book by Mollie Gregory published in 2015, it unveils the initial chronicle of female daredevils in the movie business, spanning from the silent age to the current era. Hollywood is still largely a male-dominated industry, even more so when it comes to the stunt department.

Jeannie Epper & Lynda Carter

Directed by April Wright and narrated by Michelle Rodriguez, who’s no stranger to action movies and also served as a producer. Wright interviewed dozens of stuntwomen, past and present, including the veterans Jeannie Epper, Lynda Carter’s body double on Wonder Woman in the 70s, Jadie David (Pam Grier’s double on Foxy Brown), Donna Keegan (body double for Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies), and Julie Ann Johnson (stunt double in the original Charlie’s Angels). Epper came from a generation of stunt performers growing up in North Hollywood—she was fearless, and there’s a twinkle in her eyes even when she shares stories about injuries as a result of a stunt that went awry.

Amy Johnston, Debbie & Donna Evans

It’s cool to see behind the scenes of some of the most daring stunts, especially that crazy helicopter scene in True Lies. The documentary is well edited, and it’s never boring, as it’s so much more than talking heads on camera. In addition to clips from various TV shows and movies, we get to see stunt performer Alyma Dorsey train in how to fall from dizzying heights gracefully, and phenomenal stunt driver Debbie Evans (who’s done over 400 stuntwork on her IMDb credits!) shows us her killer driving moves with Rodriguez in the passenger seat!

The film features a few directors, such as Paul Verhoeven and Paul Feig, but the real highlights are the stunt women: LaFaye Baker, Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez, Jennifer Caputo, and Amy Johnston, just to name a few. Badassery sure runs in the family, as there are stunt sisters such as Debbie & Donna Evans and Heidi & Renae Moneymaker.

Michelle Rodriguez + Debbie Evans

Though women have played key roles in various filmmaking aspects since the early days of cinema, female stunt performers still don’t get the respect they deserve. It’s devastating to learn how talented female stunt performers are often overlooked in favor of their male counterparts; some directors would even replace them with male stuntmen dressed as women and wearing wigs to double for actresses! Like many women in a patriarchal society, stuntwomen have to constantly prove themselves on the job. They are expected to nail the stunt in a single take or as few takes as possible without complaint.

Jadie David + Alyma Dorsey

On top of that, what moviegoers don’t realize is that stuntwomen’s jobs are more dangerous than their male counterparts. While stuntmen can easily protect themselves with hidden pads under their shirts or pants that cover their bodies, stuntwomen are likely more vulnerable to risk and injury, as actresses in action films tend to wear far less, which means they often have their arms, legs, and even torsos exposed.

At only 1 hour and 24 minutes, I actually wish this film were longer and offered more historical context. That said, I’m glad a documentary like this exists to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of cinema. They barely get enough credit for risking their lives to entertain us movie fans. This is such a captivating and eye-opening documentary that makes for a strong case for the Academy’s recognition in an entertaining way.

Have you seen the Stuntwomen documentary? I’d love to hear what you think!

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