Evolution of Female Characters in American Spy Action Films (Based on the Mission: Impossible Franchise)

This study is dedicated to female characters in spy action films and the transformations in their portrayal over time. The study reveals the main milestones in the development of the spy action genre. Moreover, it examines various female characters in American cinema and focuses on the heroines of the “Mission Impossible” franchise (1996-2023). The first chapter traces the development of the spy action films, highlighting the most notable works and their contribution to the genre. Furthermore, the chapter is mainly focused on the analysis of female characters in the action genre, as well as in spy films, which are considered to be a sub-genre of the former. The second chapter contains narrative and semiotic analyses of the existing "Mission Impossible" films. Throughout the chapter, heroines’ portrayal is analysed, specifically their clothes, physical appearance and profession, to determine their place and role in the structure of each film. This process ultimately contributes to evaluating whether and how their representation changes as the franchise develops.