A Short History of the Bechdel Test

by AK

In yesterday’s linkdump I mentioned a review that applied the Bechdel test to video games. To pass the test a movie must:

  1. include at least two women 
  2. who have at least one conversation…
  3. about something other than a man or men.

Alison Bechdel originated the test in her comic, Dykes To Watch Out For in 1985. The criteria are simple, but you might be surprised how few movies meet it.

One of my friends has a similar test for video games. To pass her test a video game must have:

  1. a playable female character
  2. which is available to play right away, and not as a special bonus feature

Again, seems simple, and again, you’d be surprised.