This biography drama includes the stories of brave and brilliant women in the midst of workplace harassment at Fox News. While this movie has 3 Oscar nominations, its story is riveting, devastating, and totally inspiring. This movie definitely let these ladies speak, and this flick is full of strong women standing up against harassment.
They were heard, and this film shows that all women everywhere deserve and have a voice. If you need another dose of fiery inspiration, here are 10 of the most inspiring quotes from Bombshell.
Speak Up
"Someone has to speak up. Someone has to get mad," said Gretchen Carlson. This quote probably sent chills down the spines of every viewer in the theater. This line sums up the entirety of the film and is certainly a motto for all women, and survivors in general, of any kind of harassment.
It takes people speaking up, and it takes people getting mad to create change. These women deserved to do just that, and Gretchen reminds us.
Pride & A Backbone
"To be clear, I will not be kissing Trump's a** at nine o'clock." (Megyn Kelly)
Megyn Kelly is a complicated character in this matter. She has a strong backbone, but she also believes that she is an anchor first before anything else. Still, her standing up to Donald Trump has become iconic. Her insistence that she will not be brown-nosing is incredibly inspiring, and her strong spine is definitely admirable.
Self-Blaming
"Here's the thing about being sexually harassed at work. It condemns you to questions. You keep asking yourself: What did I say? What did I wear? What did I miss? Am I seen as weak? Will they say I'm after money? Will they say I'm after attention? Will I be left out? Will I be defined by this for the rest of my life?" (Kayla)
This is one of the most devastating quotes throughout the film. Kayla is a fictional character, but her experiences mirror those of women everywhere. She demonstrates the role of self-blame after being harassed. Self-doubt and blame is a conditioned and normal response, and Kayla shares this tragic emotion with the audience. While it is truthful, Kayla shows women that they shouldn't feel this way and that it is not their fault.
This Means War
Megyn Kelly: Ready to go to war? Gretchen Carlson: Oh, yeah.
We love the war vibes coming from these ladies. This movie is, in fact, a battle against a powerful corporation. Still, these women bind together and fight for their rights and their stories. This is another chilling quote that is certainly inspiring, and proves that all women should and will be heard.
Law Comes First
"Let’s worry about the law before the P.R," said Megyn Kelly.
After Gretchen's allegations swarm through Fox News, there is a lot of pressure on Megyn Kelly to diffuse the situation using her platform as a successful women. She remains silent for most of the process and spits out this iconic line. She doesn't think PR is the most important part of the story, but rather that justice and law should present itself first. This certainly deserves some respect.
You're You
"Why are you still playing by the old rules? You’re Megyn Kelly" (Kayla)
Kayla is surprisingly a shining beacon of light for Megyn Kelly, as well as the other way around. Kayla reminds Megyn that she is freaking Megyn Kelly, and that she does not have to play by the old rules and sit quietly. While Megyn doesn't respond lightly to this at first, it's a pretty inspiring piece of advice.
Brutal Honesty
'Cause it's bullsh*t! Our contracts give them the right to monitor our communications. A hotline in this building is like a complaint box in Occupied Paris. Basically, we're telling women: go on and speak up for yourself. Just know the whole network is with Roger. You want air time, assignments, show slots? Go ahead and call the paranoid guy handing them out a pervert. And do so on a f*cking anonymous hotline that he controls, using phones he has a contractual right to record." -Megyn Kelly
In this brilliant monologue, Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) explains what is fundamentally and systematically wrong with workplace harassment. They have "resources", but they're actually for the protection of the corporation. Megyn Kelly tragically outlines the helplessness of women experiencing harassment. While it's upsetting, this quote should fire everyone up for change.
Solidarity
"You too?" - Kayla
This quote is simple, yet tragically effective. After being approached, Kayla breaks down over being harassed by Roger Ailes. However, as soon as she thinks that another woman is in the same situation, a look of hope and relief washes over her. Not because she is happy, but because she finds solidarity with her. She is not the only one, and it is not her fault or doing.
Irreplaceable
"Do you know why we dress soldiers the same? So everyone knows they're replaceable. I refuse to be replaceable." - Megyn Kelly
This is another devastating quote, but it ends with more of Megyn Kelly's strength and sense of worth. She compares the women of Fox News to soldiers, and that they must all wear skirts and dresses because they are all seen as the same. She admits this brutal truth, but she also claims that she will never be replaceable. Megyn's self-worth and backbone are inspiring and admirable.
Never Silenced
Nancy: You will be muzzled, Gretchen. / Gretchen Carlson: Maybe.
Gretchen Carlson shows no mercy in this film, and it's totally inspiring and riveting. At the very end of the movie, Gretchen is about to sign a non-disclosure agreement about the allegations. Her lawyer reminds her that she will be muzzled and unable to speak up. Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) turns to the camera, and says "maybe" with a small smirk. The last quote in this film reminds us that women are never muzzled, and they always have a voice.