Monica Ekabutr

We watch indie films to avoid the clichés of mainstream movies. But as indie has become a genre itself, it’s accumulated its own tropes. We’re not saying these are bad, we’re just saying they show up everywhere.

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl

500 Days of Summer, Garden State, Annie Hall

The MPDG is the answer to any dashing young narrow-minded protagonist. She dispels all cynicism with her sunny outlook on life and gives off enough whimsy to make your audience “aw”. Or cry profusely, because no real girl is this perfect.


See the anti-dream girl and 13 more characters. »