5 films every woman should watch for lessons in courage, love and self-discovery

Image credit: The Mirror Has Two Faces 1996. (Columbia Pictures)

The story follows Rose (Barbra Streisand), a woman who has spent most of her life feeling unseen. She teaches, she observes, she blends into the background because it feels safer than wanting more. When she enters a marriage built on companionship rather than desire, she finally confronts how deeply she has longed to be noticed. In an attempt to feel chosen, she changes herself, believing that if she becomes more desirable, she will earn the affection she has quietly craved for years. It is uncomfortable to watch because it reflects a pattern so many women recognise, changing yourself in the hope that someone will finally love you properly.

But the film doesn’t end with the makeover. It becomes a lesson in what happens when you chase validation instead of valuing yourself. Rose realises that altering who she is for someone else doesn’t create real love, it only distances her from herself. Her journey shows that courage comes from reclaiming the parts of yourself you abandoned to be wanted. She learns that the love she was desperate to receive from others begins with choosing herself first. And that the most meaningful relationships are built on authenticity, not performance.

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Image credit: Pride & Prejudice 2005. (Universal Pictures / Working Title Films)

This classic story opens with Elizabeth Bennet (Kiera Knightly), a woman who knows her mind and refuses to compromise her principles. She turns down proposals, stands her ground and challenges assumptions, all while navigating the pressure to settle. Her confidence is refreshing, but it is not perfect. Her pride blinds her, her judgments mislead her and she learns that strength also requires humility. Through her clash and eventual connection with Darcy, the film explores what happens when two people are forced to confront their own flaws.

What emerges is a love story based not on fantasy, but on growth. Elizabeth and Darcy only find each other once both are honest enough to change. Their relationship shows that real love doesn’t ask you to abandon yourself, it refines you. Pride and Prejudice reminds you that self respect is the foundation of every meaningful partnership. Knowing who you are shapes the love you choose, and the love you accept.

Eat Pray Love (2010)

Image credit: Eat Pray Love 2010. (Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Entertainment)

The story begins with a woman who has everything she is supposed to want, yet feels completely disconnected from her life. Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts) realises that maintaining the appearance of stability is costing her more than leaving it behind. So she walks away. Her travels through Italy, India and Bali are not glamorous escapes. They are uncomfortable, emotional and filled with moments that force her to face herself honestly. She learns pleasure, discipline and balance in ways she never allowed herself to before.

Love enters the story in a new way. Instead of seeking it for security, she becomes open to it once she understands who she is without a partner. The film makes it clear that courage isn’t loud. It is the decision to rebuild your life from the inside out, even when you do not know what the outcome will be. It teaches that starting again is an act of honesty, not failure. It shows that you’re allowed to change your desires and choose a life that finally fits you.

Little Women (2019)

Image credit: Little Women 2019. (Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Releasing)

This story follows the March sisters as they grow up and navigate love, ambition and identity. Jo (Saoirse Ronan) is fiercely independent and driven by her desire to create, resisting marriage out of fear of losing herself rather than a lack of love. Meg (Emma Watson) values home, family and stability and struggles with the feeling that choosing a quiet life makes her less than others. Amy (Florence Pugh) is practical and self-aware, openly acknowledging her desire for beauty, security and artistic success within the limits placed on women. Beth (Eliza Scanlen) is gentle and selfless, serving as the emotional centre of the family. Each sister faces choices that challenge who she is expected to be and who she truly wants to become.

The film stands out because it never suggests that one path is superior. It shows that fulfilment looks different for everyone, and that each woman’s version of a meaningful life is valid. It highlights the tension between personal desire and external pressure, the guilt tied to wanting more, and the love that both anchors you and stretches you. Little Women reminds you that becoming yourself is rarely straightforward, but it is always worth it. And that no one else has the authority to define the life that fits you.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Image credit: The Devil Wears Prada 2006. (20th Century Fox)

The story follows Andy (Anne Hathaway), who starts with a simple plan and a comfortable relationship. When she lands a role at Runway, everything she thought she knew about herself is tested. The job demands more from her, but it also reveals what she is capable of. As she becomes more competent and ambitious, her relationship with Nate begins to unravel. He preferred the earlier version of Andy, the one who made life easy for him. When she grows beyond that, he treats her progress as a problem. He downplays her success, criticises her schedule and makes her feel guilty for wanting more. Miranda may be demanding, but Nate is the one who resented her evolution.

Andy’s journey highlights how growth can strain relationships. She learns that stepping into a bigger life means some people will feel left behind. She understands that becoming more confident and driven forces you to reassess who truly supports you. Getting back together with Nate doesn’t erase what was revealed. It simply shows that not all relationships adapt at the same pace. Andy teaches us to protect our identity while still allowing ourselves to change. And that anyone who cannot handle your growth is showing their limits, not yours.