Bechdel Test Movie List

I was thinking about this book and the movie the other day, in particular that the main character is never named exactly, other than as Mrs. De Winter. I was curious to know if that name would count her as a named character for the purposes of this test.

I think since Joan Fontaine is credited as "The Second Mrs. DeWinter", she would be considered a named character.

I think Mrs de Winter counts enough for the test. Plus, the named rule kinda becomes obsolete if the unnamed character is main cast.

If Ms. DeWinter doesn't count, it is a failure of the test, and not the film.

She is the central protagonist, and the majority of the film is spent talking about Rebecca (much with Danvers).

"The Second Mrs. DeWinter" is not a name. The fact that we never know her name is kind of a point the film makes.

All together, this film is an intensely interesting deconstruction of the male gaze.

If it fails the Bechdel test due to a deliberate decision to leave the central character unnamed, it is a case of the the test failing the film, not the other way around.

Yes, a unique case where the main character's first name is not revealed! But yes, Mrs. de Winter definitely counts, and has a number of non-man-centric conversations with Mrs. Van Hopper, Mrs. Danvers, Beatrice and Clarice.