Representations - Women in 28 days later

Horror films have been criticised for their traditional representations. Usually, in horror films, women are seen as either the helpless victim, or as the damsel in distress who runs into the arms of the nearest strong, capable male character. Women are also seen as an object of beauty for the 'male gaze' (Mulvey), who are owned and controlled by men. Women must be pure, virginial and 'proper', at least if they want to survive in a horror movie.

An example of a more traditional perception of females in horror:

• Cabin in the woods (The whore vs the virgin) - Virgin was the only survivor at the end of the film, and she refrained from sex and drugs throughout.
• Orphan (The mother character) - Typical female victim and was victimized throuought the film.

However, through the years, horror films have become more equal in terms of representation of men and women. In the film 28 days later, we become familiar with 2 female characters, who at first could not be more opposite.
Selena is a strong, decisive, emotionless forward-planning leader who has short hair and carries a wepon. These are all qualities that are associated with masculinity. Whereas Hannah, is a young, passive, quiet and innocent daddy's girl, who cooks, cleans and looks after her dad; traditional aspects of femininity. 

In this shot, and for the first half of the film, Selena is seen leading Jim, taking up most of the frame and always pictured in the centre. She is the one in charge.

 
                                                          Selena is again taller and in the centre in this shot.

As the film progresses, Selena and Jim almost experience a form of role-reversal, but back to a more tradtional state. As Selena begins to develop feelings for Jim, thus letting down her guard, she becomes more emotional and therefore more vunerable. Whereas she was the one to be saving Jim and protecting him from the infected, Jim now must save her from the controlling soldiors that plan to rape both her and Hannah. They both become defenceless and the film ends with the two women nursing Jim after the traumatic experiences throughout the movie. 

Camera work helps us understand the change in Selena's character, in addition to showing a large difference between the power between the men and women.