Hollywood's movies are filled with tropes that have become paramount in specific genres that fans and cinephiles have come to love and expect when they sit down in front of the silver screen. One of those tropes is the tomboy, a rough and rambunctious action-girl archetype that walks the walk and talks the talk.
Tomboys shine in action movies, quick to throw a punch or cause an explosion; they usually serve as the smart-talking hellion that gets the job done no matter what. In races against the clock or shaky situations, they are always the ones that can be depended on. Here are some of the most iconic tomboys in action movies.
8 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft has encompassed the tomboy archetype ever since her reboot in 2013. Alicia Vikander portrayed Lara Croft in the new film franchise and took on the role of the expert survivalist and archeologist
Lara is known for her prowess in any environment and brilliant cunning when her back is against the wall, never panicking or giving up. A seasoned fighter, marksman, and strategist, Lara takes on whatever comes her way. Whether it's at war or at sea, Lara can hold her own in any environment. When it comes to the most dangerous people in the world, Lara also appears on that list.
7 Sonya Blade: Mortal Kombat
Sonya Blade is the hellion of the Mortal Kombat universe, a seasoned US special forces soldier and a fighter in the Outworld tournament of Mortal Kombat. Sonya is as deadly a fighter as any of her peers, if not more; she attacks with lethal precision against all her foes, specializing in kill techniques and ending fights before they start.
Sonya is also a calculating strategist, which her allies rely on more than often. Sonya has faced some of the baddest members of Outworld fighters, such as Kano, Goro, Ermac, Shao Khan, and Noob Saibot.
6 Kim Pine: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Kim Pine is the drummer of the best band in the entire universe, Sex-Bob-omb. She is a recurring character in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and an ex-girlfriend to the main character of the story.
Kim has a sarcastic personality and a temper, always pointing out the flaws of others with a glare and a sneer. Her wrath usually falls down on Scott, as most of the issues that occur with the band can be laid at his feet. She may have a harsh word for everyone, but she is a loyal friend and dedicated drummer.
5 Alice: Resident Evil
Alice is the bio-enhanced super being in the original Resident Evil movies. She was caught in the original attack in Raccoon City and was later experimented on by Umbrella and turned into a weapon.
Alice throws caution to the wind utilizing her abilities to pop zombies' heads and take on Umbrella Corp, sometimes single-handedly. Alice has super strength, speed, and a devil-may-care attitude, but always prioritizes human life. Alice has fought against and bested many powerful bioweapons, including Nemesis, Tyrant, and Wesker himself.
4 Letti Ortiz: Fast And Furious
Not many characters can hold a candle to Michel Rodriguez's portrayal of Letti Ortiz in the Fast and Furious franchise. Having appeared in almost all ten movies, Letti was a fan favorite from the first time fans saw her throw a right hook and put a gangster on his backside.
Letti is the crew's lady alpha and loves interest to Dominic Terreto. A talented fighter and expert driver on anything with wheels, Letti embodies the tomboy archetype in form, attitude, and appearance.
3 Alexa Woods: Alien Vs. Predator
Alexa Woods served as the main protagonist of the Alien Vs. Predator film, a veteran archeologist, climber, and historian. She accompanied a group of businessmen to venture into the unknown territory of an ancient Mayan temple hidden miles beneath the surface. Unbeknownst to her and the rest of the team, they had been caught in the middle of an intergalactic hunt between a race of tribal extraterrestrial warriors and bioengineered weapons.
One by one, her teammates dropped until she was all that was left. Alexa’s will to survive burned bright as she took down an alien weapon by herself and saved a Predator in the process. Reaching a vague level of respect, Alexa joined the Predator and fought alongside it back to the surface.
2 Rita Vrataski: Edge Of Tomorrow
In the film Edge of Tomorrow, Rita is the ace soldier and expert fighter of the united defense force that fights against the alien menace of mimics. Her accomplishments on the battlefield earned her the nickname “Angel of Verdun,” where she is noted for killing over one thousand mimic aliens by herself in a catastrophic battle.
This battle turned the tide of the war for humanity when all was thought lost and raised her to global notoriety. Rita was the first to obtain the recall ability, which forged her into the warrior she is. Her dedication and determination to wipe out the mimic threat is unwavering and unmatched.
1 Kate: Kate
Kate is the main protagonist of the movie of the same name that was released on Netflix. She was raised as a child to be the perfect assassin, cold and ruthless toward any target. She is a rash person and rough around the edges, but has a strong sense of morality and exhibits remorse for her victims.
While not heartless, Kate shows no mercy to anyone stupid enough to test her. She is a perfect fighter and gun expert, able to keep her calm surrounded by enemies.