Released in 2017 and directed by Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman marked a turning point in the superhero genre. Starring Gal Gadot as Diana Prince, the film tells the origin story of the Amazonian warrior princess who leaves her secluded island home of Themyscira to fight for peace during World War I. Both a compelling character study and a bold action film, Wonder Woman is celebrated for its emotional depth, feminist themes, and the way it redefined what a superhero film could be — not only for women but for the genre as a whole.
It was the first live-action feature film centered on Wonder Woman, one of DC Comics’ most iconic characters, created in 1941 by William Moulton Marston. Jenkins’ adaptation blends myth, history, and heroism to deliver a story that is both timeless and profoundly relevant to the modern world.
Plot Summary
The film begins in modern-day Paris, where Diana Prince, now living a quiet life, receives an old photograph from Bruce Wayne — a reminder of her past. The photograph shows her standing in World War I Europe alongside soldiers, hinting at her long and mysterious history.
The story flashes back to Themyscira, a hidden island inhabited by the Amazons, a race of warrior women created by the gods to protect humanity. Raised by her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), and trained in combat by her aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright), young Diana yearns to become a warrior. Despite her mother’s reluctance, Diana’s natural strength and determination soon make her one of Themyscira’s most skilled fighters.
Everything changes when an American pilot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), crashes his plane off the island’s coast, pursued by German soldiers. After Diana rescues him, the Germans invade Themyscira, resulting in a fierce battle that costs Antiope her life. Upon learning from Steve that the outside world is engulfed in war, Diana believes that Ares, the god of war, is behind the conflict. Defying her mother’s wishes, she takes the God Killer sword, shield, and armor, and leaves Themyscira to confront Ares and end the war.
Arriving in London, Diana experiences the chaos and inequality of the human world — especially its treatment of women. Together with Steve and his allies — Sameer, Charlie, and Chief — she travels to the front lines in Belgium. Witnessing the suffering of civilians in war-torn villages, Diana cannot stand idly by. In one of the film’s most iconic moments, she climbs out of the trench, deflecting bullets with her bracelets and leading the charge across No Man’s Land, liberating the village of Veld.
The mission takes them to General Ludendorff and Doctor Maru (Dr. Poison), who are developing a deadly new chemical weapon. Diana becomes convinced that Ludendorff is Ares in disguise. After infiltrating a German gala, she kills Ludendorff — but the war does not end. Confused and disillusioned, Diana realizes that human nature itself may be more complex than she believed.
It is then revealed that Sir Patrick Morgan, a British official who had supported peace negotiations, is the true Ares. He tells Diana that he merely whispered ideas of destruction into human minds — it was humanity’s own choice to wage war. Their ensuing battle tests Diana’s strength, faith, and compassion. In the end, after witnessing Steve’s heroic sacrifice — flying a plane full of deadly gas into the sky to prevent mass casualties — Diana embraces her destiny. She rejects Ares’ nihilism, declaring, “It’s not about deserve. It’s about what you believe. And I believe in love.” With this conviction, she defeats Ares and helps end the war.
The film closes with Diana returning to the present, recommitting herself to protecting humanity — not because they are perfect, but because they have the potential for good.
Character Analysis
Diana Prince / Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot)
Diana’s character is the embodiment of both innocence and strength. Raised in a world free from human corruption, she enters the world of men with a sense of moral clarity. Her idealism, initially perceived as naïveté, becomes her greatest strength. Unlike many heroes driven by revenge or guilt, Diana is motivated by compassion and a belief in justice.
Gal Gadot’s performance is sincere, powerful, and deeply human. She brings a balance of grace and ferocity to the role, portraying Diana as both a warrior and a nurturer. Her evolution — from a sheltered princess to a wise and determined hero — mirrors humanity’s struggle to reconcile hope with the harshness of reality.
Steve Trevor (Chris Pine)
Steve is the perfect counterpart to Diana — brave, selfless, and morally grounded. His humor and realism balance Diana’s idealism. Through his interactions with her, the film explores gender dynamics, as Steve learns to respect Diana’s strength and leadership. His final act of sacrifice becomes the emotional core of the story, reminding Diana (and the audience) that heroism often comes at great personal cost.
Queen Hippolyta and Antiope
Hippolyta represents wisdom and maternal protection, while Antiope embodies courage and warrior spirit. Together, they shape Diana’s identity. Their influence symbolizes the duality of love and discipline — the foundations of Diana’s strength and compassion.
Ares / Sir Patrick Morgan (David Thewlis)
Ares serves as both a literal and philosophical antagonist. He argues that humanity is inherently violent and unworthy of divine protection. His defeat is not merely physical but ideological — Diana’s triumph is her rejection of cynicism and her embrace of empathy.
Themes
1. Feminism and Empowerment
Wonder Woman is a landmark in feminist cinema. It portrays a female superhero who is powerful not because she emulates masculinity, but because she embodies balance — strength, compassion, intelligence, and grace. Diana does not reject her femininity; she redefines it as a source of power. The Amazons’ society, free from patriarchy, demonstrates a world where women’s leadership and unity thrive without domination or exploitation.
2. War and Humanity
The film’s World War I setting is symbolic — a time of immense suffering and moral ambiguity. Diana’s journey from Themyscira to the front lines reflects humanity’s fall from grace. Initially believing the war to be Ares’ doing, she must confront a more unsettling truth: war is a product of human choice. Yet, instead of despair, she chooses compassion, embodying the belief that love is humanity’s redeeming force.
3. The Power of Love
Love is the film’s central theme — not romantic love alone, but a universal love for life and justice. Diana’s final realization that “Only love can truly save the world” transforms her from a warrior into a savior. This message, often dismissed as sentimental, is portrayed with sincerity and depth. It challenges the cynicism prevalent in modern superhero films, offering hope instead of nihilism.
4. Innocence vs. Experience
Diana’s growth parallels a coming-of-age story. She begins with an idealized view of good and evil, but her experiences in the human world teach her that morality is complex. This maturity does not destroy her hope; it strengthens it. She learns that believing in goodness, even when faced with darkness, is itself an act of heroism.
Cinematic Style and Direction
Director Patty Jenkins infuses the film with visual grandeur and emotional intimacy. The cinematography by Matthew Jensen contrasts the warm, golden hues of Themyscira with the cold, desaturated tones of wartime Europe, symbolizing Diana’s transition from innocence to awareness.
The No Man’s Land sequence stands as one of the most iconic scenes in superhero cinema. The combination of slow motion, stirring music, and Gadot’s determined expression creates a moment that transcends action — it becomes a visual metaphor for courage and defiance against injustice.
The score, composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams, incorporates the now-famous Wonder Woman theme (originally by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL), with its electrifying cello riff representing empowerment and heroism.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Wonder Woman was more than a box office success — grossing over $822 million worldwide — it was a cultural phenomenon. It broke barriers in a genre historically dominated by male heroes and directors. For decades, studios doubted whether a female-led superhero film could succeed. Jenkins’ Wonder Woman proved them wrong, inspiring a new generation of female heroes on screen.
The film also resonated globally because of its universal themes of compassion and justice. In an era marked by division and conflict, Diana’s message of hope felt both timely and necessary.
Moreover, Gal Gadot’s portrayal became a symbol of empowerment, representing strength without aggression, beauty without objectification, and heroism without ego.
Legacy and Impact
Wonder Woman changed the landscape of superhero cinema. It paved the way for future female-led films like Captain Marvel (2019) and Black Widow (2021), proving that audiences craved diverse stories. It also cemented Patty Jenkins’ place in Hollywood history as the first woman to direct a blockbuster of such scale and success.
The film’s legacy extends beyond entertainment. Wonder Woman became a cultural icon — appearing on murals, protests, and campaigns as a symbol of equality and justice. Her story reminds viewers that heroism is not about domination but about compassion, not about destruction but about healing.
Conclusion
Wonder Woman (2017) is more than a superhero origin story — it is a timeless tale about humanity’s capacity for love, courage, and hope. It challenges conventional narratives of power and war, offering a vision of heroism grounded in empathy. Through Diana’s journey, the film celebrates the strength found in kindness and the bravery in believing in good, even when the world seems irredeemable.
Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince stands as one of the most inspiring figures in modern cinema — a warrior who fights not for glory, but for peace. Under Patty Jenkins’ direction, Wonder Woman became not just a triumph for DC Comics, but a milestone for storytelling itself, reminding us that true power lies not in what we can destroy, but in what we can protect.
