With Gal Gadot portraying Wonder Woman in the DCEU, one of the most beloved and popular characters from DC Comics was introduced to the big screen. As the hero in one of the best, if not the best, films in all of the DCEU with Wonder Woman, the way her character translated from comic book pages to film is a significant part of that film’s praise.
Known for her strength, grace, and heart Wonder Woman demonstrates the core of her character through her words in her time throughout her DCEU appearances.
“I Stay. I Fight, And I Give For The World I Know Can Be.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
Wonder Woman ends with Diana monologuing as she reminisces about Steve Trevor and describes her life’s purpose as staying, fighting, and giving all she can to this world for what it can be in the future.
Wonder Woman’s optimism and compassion for the world shine in this statement. Through her selflessness, she stays where she is and gives all she can for the best version of the world possible. Wonder Woman shows that strength in fighting is not always from anger.
“I Belong To No One.”
Zack Snyder's Justice League, 2021
While fighting Wonder Woman in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Steppenwolf antagonizes her, calling off the Parademons from joining the battle by saying she is his to fight. This only serves to anger Wonder Woman, who makes it clear that she belongs to no one.
Although she fights alongside her sisters and the Justice League, that does not make her any less independent or mean she belongs to anyone—let alone Steppenwolf. Predictably, Wonder Woman then proves herself to be much more powerful than Steppenwolf expected.
“I’m Willing To Fight For Those Who Cannot Fight For Themselves.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
Despite the Amazons living a secluded life away from the affairs of the rest of the world, Wonder Woman wants to leave Themyscira to fight Ares and end WWI. When met with resistance from her mother, Queen Hippolyta, she insists that she wants to fight for those who cannot.
Inspired by Queen Hippolyta’s fighting for the same, Wonder Woman proves to be one of the strongest female characters in the DC Universe physically and emotionally as she uses her power altruistically to protect others from harm. SHe's effectively banished from Themyscira for leaving, but, to Dianna, it's a price worth paying to do what's right.
“You Can Only Have The Truth, And The Truth Is Enough.”
Wonder Woman 1984, 2020
In Wonder Woman 1984, Wonder Woman tells Maxwell Lord that having the truth is enough, and there is no need to wish to have everything. Wonder Woman has always emphasized honesty, especially considering one of her most reliable weapons is the Lasso of Truth.
She believes the truth is beautiful, no matter how difficult it may be to handle at times, simply because it is the truth. Wonder Woman seeks and defends the truth as she protects the world she loves, even when it's not convenient or easy to hear.
“Why, For Once, Can’t I Just Have This One Thing?”
Wonder Woman 1984, 2020
Wonder Woman has given up many things important to her to save humanity from danger it cannot handle, and Wonder Woman 1984 shows her struggling with always prioritizing others.
Wonder Woman is selfless, nearly to her detriment, as she cannot have the love with Steve Trevor that she wants because it is not true to reality. No matter how good she knows something is for her, she refuses to pursue something that is not overall beneficial to the world or humanity.
“I Am The Man Who Can.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
On the boat from Themyscira, Steve Trevor tells Wonder Woman they should avoid going to the center of the war to stop Ares and instead should go to London and talk to the men who actually can do something to end the war.
Wonder Woman shows her determination as she insists that she is the man who can stop Ares and the war without risking more lives. Wonder Woman's confidence in being the individual able to impact the war is proven true in "no man's land," where Gal Gadot secures her place as one of the best superhero performances in DC movies.
“What [To Do] With The Truth Is More Difficult Than You’d Think.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
In one of the great movies in a bad franchise, Wonder Woman admits that although she values the truth highly, it is not always easy to handle. Wonder Woman sees the power in truth and knows it must be properly harnessed and used to keep its beauty.
In this way, Wonder Woman closely relates the truth to grace, which she constantly displays whether she is on Themyscira or the battlefield or discussing art in the Lourve. Of course, the she's forced to deal with the difficulty of this idea at the end of the film when it's revealed that Ares was not the reason that world was at war.
“What I Do Is Not Up To You.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
As one of the best female characters in the DCEU so far, Wonder Woman refuses to do what anyone tells her just because they tell her to do so, even if it is a man she loves directing her. This fierce independence is a big part of what has kept Wonder Woman the pop-culture icon that she is, and her movies show this trait in full force.
Wonder Woman knows the right action to take morally and strategically, so when Steve Trevor tells her not to try and stop Ares at the gala in Wonder Woman, she refuses to let him control her when more lives are lost the longer she waits to strike.
“... it’s about what you believe. And I believe in love.”
Wonder Woman, 2017
In the final battle against Ares in Wonder Woman, she realizes what Steve Trevor said is true, and her fight is truly about her belief in love above all else.
Wonder Woman’s fight is not about whether the world deserves it. It is not as simple as humanity is good and deserving of her help because there are also darker aspects to humanity. Wonder Woman’s love for humanity and its complicated nature is why she fights for it.
“Oh, I Don’t Think You’ve Ever Known A Woman Like Me.”
Batman V Superman, 2016
In a film centered around some of the strongest characters in the DCEU, Wonder Woman asserts herself as one of a kind in her conversation with Bruce Wayne. Wonder Woman does not say this in a way that comes off as believing she is above other women, though.
Instead, she confidently and gracefully lets Bruce know his first impression of her cannot be entirely accurate given her heritage as an Amazon and her superhuman abilities that do not manifest outwardly. Bruce is used to getting his way, but he's got to prove himself to Diana before she'll trust him with anything.