The Compulsory Act in Jumanji (2017) Movie: Demonstration of Gender Performativity Fluidity

Authors

  • Grania Sharenlie MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Febrina Stevani Djohan MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Aurellia Zureil Purnama MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Chrishanna Rose Sihotang MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Abednego Rick Riven MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Uniqua Abigail Jesua MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Keywords:

Gender, Character Development, Feminine, Identity, Rigid

Abstract

This research analyzes the film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) to understand that gender is a repeated action rather than a fixed biological identity, using Judith Butler's theory of Gender Performativity (1990). By using a qualitative method to focus on the narratives and dialogues, this study examines through the body-swaps of character between the four main characters, also the challenges that the characters face on the new avatar’s body. The findings show: 1) Bethany's transformation serves as a deconstruction gender as a biological and fixed identity; 2) Martha's struggle with her role that demonstrates gender is a set of compulsory, subversive repetition; and 3) The character's adaptation reveals that identity is fluid and created by personal choice, not rigid social rules. This study concludes that the film serves as a powerful illustration for gender fluidity. This research is significant as it highlights that a fun, and popular movie may help people understand complex ideas about identity and gender while encouraging audiences to think critically about the stereotypes in everyday life. It is hoped that future researchers will apply similar critical lenses to other narratives to further explore how media influences the fluid construction of gender identity.

References

iHeartMedia. (2018, March 26). Kids’ Choice Awards: ‘Jumanji,’ ‘Stranger Things’ win. iHeart. https://wizard106.iheart.com/content/2018-03-26-kids-choice-awards-jumanji-stranger-things-win/

Birmingham City University. (n.d.). Gender stereotypes in childhood: What’s the harm? CSPACE Blog. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/research/education-and-social-work/cspace-blog/gender-stereotypes-in-childhood-whats-the-harm

Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. Routledge.

Butler, J. (1993). Bodies that matter: On the discursive limits of "sex". Routledge.

Derrida, J. (1976). Of Grammatology (G. C. Spivak, Trans.). Johns Hopkins University Press.

Derrida, J. (1978). Writing and difference (A. Bass, Trans.). University of Chicago Press.

Hafner, F. S., Valdivia, A., & Rocher, L. (2025). Gender trouble in language models: An empirical audit guided by gender performativity theory (arXiv:2505.14080). arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.14080

Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Biblica. (Original work published 1973)

Universitas STEKOM. (n.d.). The influence of films on the perspectives of young generations. https://stekom.ac.id/en/article/the-influence-of-films-on-the-perspectives-of-young-generations

Ward, A. R. (2014). Spivak’s Derrida: Exploring the materiality of discourse. Journal of Aesthetics & Culture, 6(1), 24578. https://doi.org/10.3402/jac.v6.24578

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Published

2026-02-28

How to Cite

Sharenlie, G., Djohan, F. S., Purnama, A. Z., Sihotang, C. R., Riven, A. R., & Jesua, U. A. (2026). The Compulsory Act in Jumanji (2017) Movie: Demonstration of Gender Performativity Fluidity. Boanerges: Makarios Education Journal, 3(2), 219–232. Retrieved from https://streamfly.tech/index.php/boanerges/article/view/53

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): BOANERGES

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