Anna Gunn, acclaimed for her role as Skyler White in “Breaking Bad,” took a significant cinematic turn in her career with “Equity,” a film that ambitiously placed women at the forefront of a Wall Street narrative. This marked a stark contrast from her TV persona, which, despite the controversy it generated, won her critical acclaim and an Emmy. “Equity,” a female-led financial thriller, intended to carve out space in a genre overwhelmingly dominated by male-driven stories like “The Wolf of Wall Street,” a film Gunn admired but criticized for its lack of female representation.
Despite its pioneering premise and Gunn’s powerhouse performance, “Equity” did not resonate with a broad audience, grossing a mere $1.7 million worldwide, an underwhelming figure that belied the film’s potential and Gunn’s star power. Gunn, reflecting on her motivations, noted, “I really did like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ But not seeing women represented in that world, it definitely had less resonance for me.”
The Challenge of a Female-Led Financial Thriller
“Equity” brought to the silver screen a narrative shift, emphasizing not just the high stakes of Wall Street but also the unique challenges and perspectives of women within such a cutthroat environment. The film boasted a creative team comprised entirely of women, offering a fresh take on the themes of power and ambition. Critics responded positively, with the film earning an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, particularly praising Gunn’s role as Naomi Bishop, a formidable investment banker.
However, the public reception lagged, possibly indicating that audiences were not yet ready for a film that challenged traditional gender roles in the financial sector. This discrepancy between critical acclaim and box office failure highlights a persistent gap in gender representation in genre cinema, especially within narratives centered around power dynamics and corporate intrigue.
A Shift in Perception: Skyler White Revisited
Parallel to her cinematic endeavors, Gunn has witnessed a transformation in the perception of her role as Skyler White. Initially met with significant backlash and misogyny, the character is now viewed in a more sympathetic and nuanced light. Gunn shared, “Now, when people come up to me, it’s incredibly different. [Fans] say, ‘The first time I watched [Breaking Bad], I hated that character. But the second time I watched it, I realized, ‘Oh my God, that poor woman.’”
This evolution in audience perspective mirrors broader societal shifts toward a more empathetic understanding of complex female characters in television and film. Vince Gilligan, the creator of “Breaking Bad,” admitted that the show’s narrative was heavily skewed in favor of Walter White, making Skyler an easy target for viewers’ disdain.
Equity’s Legacy and What It Signifies for Women in Film
Though “Equity” may not have achieved the box office success it deserved, its cultural significance and the conversations it sparked about gender and representation in film remain impactful. Anna Gunn’s commitment to portraying strong, complex women, both in “Breaking Bad” and “Equity,” continues to influence how characters are written and perceived in the entertainment industry. As we move forward, the hope is that the film industry will embrace and promote more stories like “Equity,” which not only entertain but also provoke thought and foster change in societal perceptions of gender roles.