This study examined whether gender stereotypes and tropes are still used in movies, through analyzing two popular film trilogies with an age difference of 20 years. Each trilogy’s protagonist and love interest were analyzed with the goal of determining how each character were potrayed. This study was seen through a gender perspective, and based on a structuralism approach. To answer the study’s research questions, Mulvey’s (1975) male gaze theory and Hall’s representation theory were used. The study had a qualitative approach and a discourse analysis was used as an method, and the analysis model Mise-en-scène (Selby & Cowdery, 1995) was used. Upon completion of the study, the following could be ascertained: first, gender stereotypes and tropes are still used in films. But has become better at be hidden into the plot. Second, each character was portrayed according to gender stereotypes as well as tropes. Finally, both similarities and differences could be established in the representation of each character. Where it was clear that even though Elle were the protagonist of one trilogy, it was still the man who controlled the relationship. The same thing was stated in the Spiderman trilogy.

This essay is focused on gender issues in the film The Kissing Booth directed by Vince Marcello and how it can be used in a Swedish EFL classroom to problematize the stereotypical portrayals of the main characters. Since film is readily available for people in the Western world, including young students, it is important to teach them to be mindful of how media content can influence people in different ways. Even though the movie challenges some gender norms at first glance, an application of the Bechdel test shows that The Kissing Booth actually strengthens the Western world's traditional representation of gender. Because gender was mostly viewed as a binary correlated to sex before, it is easy to stay within those restrictive ways when creating and depicting characters in film. However, theorists have found that gender is not innate but performative and if it is not depicted as such in mainstream media, it may uphold outdated notions of gender and prevent changes in attitudes needed for a more inclusive society. Modern events, such as the Me Too movement, also indicate that there is a need for more conversations about these issues.