If you have read any of my TV or movie reviews here on the site, you know that positive female friendship is one of my favorite things in any story. 2021 had many awesome female friendship moments. Here are ten of our staff’s favorites from 2021.
1. Sylvia Tilly and Michael Burnham, Star Trek: Discovery
“My girls Tilly and Michael keep my heart in a perpetual state of warm friendship fuzzies. I love that they are the kind of besties that are supportive of each other but can also be honest and push back when necessary. We’ve watched these two ladies support each other through the best and the worst that the universe has to offer them. I can’t wait to see where the rest of season 4 takes them.” – Ashley
2. Camille, Quinn, Tye, and Angie, Harlem
“Though this Amazon Prime series was just released this month, it made our list. Harlem is a show that elevates the voices of black women but most importantly it highlights female friendship in an authentic way. Typically, we don’t see a lot of shows where black women are good friends without the constant bickering and competitive attitudes. That’s what makes Harlem so refreshing. These ladies are just being friends to each other. Sure, they have their moments, but what friends don’t? The important thing is how much they actually lift each other up. These women tell it like it is but always have each other’s backs.” – Jasmine
3. Rebecca and Keeley, Ted Lasso
“No list about female friendships is complete without Keeley Jones and Rebecca Welton from Ted Lasso. Those two are as much soulmates as they are best friends. Their on-screen friendship is only elevated by Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham’s epic, real-life friendship. Keeley and Rebecca take the expectations that society uses to pit them against each other and use them as fuel to strengthen their bond. They show up for each other on all the good days and bad days because there is no time off for a friendship this epic.
Rebecca knows when Keeley will be in the boot room, and Keeley knows when Rebecca needs a pep talk. They see each other. They make each other their greatest confidants instead of their greatest competitions. It’s refreshing and heartwarming to say the very least. Their friendship will go down as one of the series’ greatest love stories. Temple and Waddingham put their hearts and souls into every scene with the pair, and we can’t help but think of all the amazing ones we’re going to get next season. Keeley and Rebecca’s friendship will always be one of Ted Lasso’s greatest achievements. We know that it’s certainly one of our favorite female friendships on TV in 2021.” – Shelby
4. Laurie, Karen, and Allyson, Halloween Kills
“While I didn’t love Halloween Kills nearly as much as Halloween (2018), what I DO love about this film is the way that our family of leading ladies works to keep each other safe. Laurie is ready to get out of bed just hours after surgery to take out Michael. Karen, while a pacifist on the whole, won’t let anyone lay a finger on her daughter. Allyson is just as tough as her mother and grandmother and is completely unafraid to grab a gun and get to work. I can’t wait to see what comes next in Halloween Ends in 2022.” – Ashley
5. Sylvie Brett and Stella Kidd, Chicago Fire
“Sylvie and Stella are one of our favorite friendships on TV! They’re there to support each other, just as they’re there to point out when the other one is being dumb. That’s the measure of a true friend, when they can not just celebrate you, they can also tell you to get your shit together. Plus, they do the kind of support that’s not about proving to anyone they’re best friends, but about being there when the other one needs it, no questions asked.” – Lizzie
6. Natasha and Yelena, Black Widow
“While there are some things that we wish happened differently with the Black Widow film, it’s hard to deny the power of sisterhood with Natasha and Yelena. From their synchronous fighting skills to their sisterly sass, there’s much to appreciate about Natasha and Yelena’s friendship and sisterhood. It’s a real shame that we only got one movie for them to interact together. Here’s to fan fiction!” – Ashley
7. Raelle, Tally, and Abigail, Motherland: Fort Salem
“The friendship between Raelle, Tally, and Abigail is the reason why Motherland: Fort Salem is so good. It’s a grounding force that guides these young women in season one. And by the time that season two rolls around, these three are sisters bound by their love for each other and their understanding of each other’s strengths. Basically, they make each other better people while showing that it doesn’t matter if you’re blood or not. Family is family.” – Lyra
8. Joann Owosekun and Kayla Detmer, Star Trek: Discovery
“If I have any complaints at all about Star Trek: Discovery, it’s that we don’t know the rest of our bridge crew well enough. I’m especially interested in the friendship between Joann ‘Owo’ Owoswekun and Kayla Detmer. These two gals have a blast sassing each other and clearly have a genuine easiness in their friendship. While Star Trek: Discovery doesn’t have a shortage of positive female friendship, I’m never mad about seeing more of it on my screen. I’d love to see an away mission with Owo and Detmer this season.” – Ashley
9. Alina and Genya, Shadow and Bone
“When Alina arrives at The Little Palace, she’s all alone and has nobody on her side. She has just discovered she is a Grisha who has the power to summon light. She is in an entirely new world dealing with her newfound powers. She’s feeling lost and is immediately befriended by Genya who is also Grisha and a Tailor with the power to alter people’s appearances. Genya becomes a confidant for Alina and they share a common bond over feeling like outcasts. Plus, who doesn’t love a girlfriend who can fix your face up after a long night of summoning and training? Seriously, we need a Genya on standby. Yes, we know that Genya does ultimately betray Alina to The Darkling, so you don’t even have to remind us okay? We will say this, as readers of this book series we know the FULL story and all we can say is stay tuned.” – Jasmine
10. Mariner and Tendi, Star Trek: Lower Decks
“Mariner and Tendi haven’t always gotten a ton of screen time together just the two of them, but watching them get more girl time this year has been a blast! They are a good balance for each other. Mariner’s impulsiveness is tempered by Tendi’s adherence to structure. Their misadventures specifically in 2×03, “We’ll Always Have Tom Paris” are hysterical and give us insight into both of these ladies. I can’t wait to see them have more away missions and girls trips next season.” – Ashley
