Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.21860/j.15.2.14
A Holographic Manifesto: Joi’s Independence in Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049
Sungjin Jang
; Department of English, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Abstract
Unlike critics’ understanding of Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 as a misogynistic movie, this paper argues that the film tries to destroy male-centered gender stereotypes through Joi’s subversive performance acts. Joi goes against the traditional passive and powerless female stereotype by escaping the domestic field and welcoming her freedom. Joi no longer remains a sexual object of the male gaze. Instead, she turns this male-female relationship upside down by making K the sexual object for her own pleasure. Joi even does not hesitate to risk her own death to go beyond her pre-designed program. In this respect, the movie should be understood as an attempt to put an end to gender inequity.
Keywords
AI; Blade Runner (1982); Blade Runner 2049; Gender Inequity; Independence; Joi; performativity
Hrčak ID:
329686
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2025.
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