Fails the Bechdel test
Straight Outta Compton
2015. Directed by F. Gary Gray, written by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff and S. Leigh Savidge.
The Bechdel test
Bechdel score
1 / 3
Fails
-
Yes
1. At least two women
35 women characters. 9 of them speak. -
No
2. Who talk to each other
Our parser found no scene where two women talk to each other. -
No
3. About something besides a man
Not reached: the film fails an earlier rule.
Second opinion
Agree bechdeltest.com readers give it 1 out of 3.
The film
In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels, armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent, stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world's most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.
- Released
- 14 Aug 2015
- Genres
- Biography, Drama, History
- Rated
- R
- IMDb
- 7.8 / 10
- Metascore
- 72 / 100
- Awards
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. 28 wins & 40 nominations total
- Elsewhere
- View on IMDb
Starring, by lines spoken
- Women
- Men
- Not in the cast list
- Bigger name, more lines
- Dre 206 lines, man
- Eazy 173 lines, man
- Cube 120 lines, man
- Jerry 98 lines, man
- Suge 53 lines, man
- Ren 31 lines, man
- Yella 28 lines, man
- Nicole 26 lines, woman
- Bryan Turner 19 lines, man
- Tyree 15 lines, man
Full cast, 192 people
- O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube
- Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre
- Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E
- Neil Brown Jr. as DJ Yella
- Aldis Hodge as MC Ren
- Paul Giamatti as Jerry Heller
- R. Marcos Taylor as Suge Knight
- LaKeith Stanfield as Snoop Dogg
- Carra Patterson as Tomica
- Elena Goode as Nicole
- Alexandra Shipp as Kim
- Tate Ellington as Bryan Turner
- Corey Reynolds as Lonzo Williams
- Keith Powers as Tyree
- Orlando Brown as Block Dude
- Marlon Yates Jr. as D.O.C.
- Joshua Brockington as Young Warren G
- Sheldon A. Smith as Warren G
- Cleavon McClendon as Jinx
- Aeriél Miranda as Lavetta
- Lisa Renee Pitts as Verna Griffin
- Angela Elayne Gibbs as Doris Jackson
- Bruce Beatty as Hosea Jackson
- Rogelio Douglas Jr. as Chuck D
- Andrew Borba as Journalist
- Natascha Hopkins as Keisha
- Matt Corboy as Journalist
- Larry Sullivan as Journalist
- Deborah Lacey as Journalist
- F. Gary Gray as Greg Mack
- Allen Maldonado as Tone
- Demetrius Grosse as Rock
- Michael 'Compton Menace' Taylor as OG Blood
- Ashton Sanders as Kid
- Joshua Geter as Kid
- Kofi Siriboe as Block Dude
- Matthew Boylan as LAPD Crash Cop
- Chic Daniel as LAPD Crash Cop
- Tim Connolly as LAPD Cop
- Cris D'Annunzio as Uniform Cop
- Dan Wells as Uniform Cop
- Justin Goslee as Doo To's Security Guard
- Alex Wexo as Officer
- Marcus Callender as HBO Rapper
- Vaughn Wilkinson as HBO Rapper
- Dean Cameron as Capitol Records Executive
- Mark Thomas Holguin as Torrance Cop
- Sky Soleil as Torrance Cop
- Inny Clemons as Torrance Officer Rauch
- Jody Burks as Big Dude
- Asia'h Epperson as Felicia
- Scott Endicott as Tour Bus Driver
- Greg Collins as Joe Louis Police
- Mark Sherman as Jimmy Iovine
- Rob Brownstein as CNN Journalist
- Marcc Rose as Tupac Shakur
- Water L as Guy with Dog
- Nigel Lawes as Chillin' Cop
- William LaDawn English as Goon
- Lazarus Guidry as Poor Bastard
- Ariel Rogers as Goon Girl
- LaFrazia D. Knighten as Suge's Pit Handler
- Ashley Stepteau as Street Interviewee
- Christian Brown as Street Interviewee
- Ebony Randall as Street Interviewee
- John Prosky as Young Doctor
- Derrick L. McMillon as Ron Sweeney
- A. Russell Andrews as Pastor
- Lesean Tarkington as Pastor
- Rob Nagle as LAPD Westwood
- Travis Nicholson as Georgia Officer
- Todd Quillen as Alabama Officer
- Matthew Downs as Missouri Officer
- Leo Stallworth as News Reporter
- Joy Benedict as News Reporter
- David L. Cox as Blood
- Thomas Q. Jones as Large Man
- Toni Duclottni as Ménage Girl
- Phedra Syndelle as Ménage Girl
- Val Emanuel as Girl
- Spencer Melville as Girl
- Michael W. Broomer as Bus Driver
- Zee James as Tasha
- Simon Rhee as Korean Store Owner
- Keion Adams as Boulevard King (uncredited)
- Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Protester (uncredited)
- Aswad Ali as Lynch Mob Security (uncredited)
- Diana Atai as Studio Patron (uncredited)
- Thomas R. Baker as Teamster Union Driver (uncredited)
- Cassandra Bautista as Protester / Looter (uncredited)
- Dave Bean as Officer (uncredited)
- Brian Bell as Concert Goer (uncredited)
- Melissa Bidgoli as Club Girl (uncredited)
- Dakota Black as Rap Patron (uncredited)
- Ashanna Bri as Big Dave's Girlfriend (uncredited)
- David Anthony Buglione as Death Row Employee (uncredited)
- Charity Caldwell as Pool Party Girl (uncredited)
- Tonya T. Cannon as Reporter (uncredited)
- Kadrolsha Ona Carole as Press (uncredited)
- Menah Carter as Protester / Concert Fan (uncredited)
- Bryan Casserly as Pool Party Guest (uncredited)
- Steve Troublesome Castillo as Eazy-E Fan (uncredited)
- Rey Castro as Audience Member (uncredited)
- Leonel Claude as NWA Fan (uncredited)
- Anna Clols as Gorgeous Girl (uncredited)
- David Cohen as Press (uncredited)
- Shanae Cole as Club Dancer (uncredited)
- Shaniece Cole as News Reporter (uncredited)
- Callen David as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Kelsey Delemar as Pool Party Girl (uncredited)
- Julius Denem as Dude (uncredited)
- David Donah as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Greg Duncan as SWAT Officer (uncredited)
- Michael Eauslin as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Fernando Edwards as Thug (uncredited)
- Arturo Encinas as Concert Custodian (uncredited)
- Scott Engrotti as Looter (uncredited)
- Vi Faulkner as Promoter (uncredited)
- Suzanne Sumner Ferry as Mare, Record Label Employee (uncredited)
- Ciera Foster as Super Fan (uncredited)
- Americo Galli as Football Jock (uncredited)
- Khalid Ghajji as ATL Crew Member (uncredited)
- Brian Gilleece as Cameraman (uncredited)
- Tekin Girgin as Tekin (uncredited)
- David Greyson as Pedestrian (uncredited)
- Phillipos Haile as Death Row Employee (uncredited)
- Benicio Hall as Darrell Jackson (uncredited)
- Joe P. Harris as Extra (uncredited)
- Krystal M. Harris as No Vaseline Girl #1 (uncredited)
- David S. Robinson Hicks as Vigil Mourner (uncredited)
- Solange Hordatt as Press (uncredited)
- India Howard as Topless Woman (uncredited)
- Michael L. Howard as Pool Party Patron (uncredited)
- Jahmilla Jackson as Concert Attendee (uncredited)
- Precious Jenkins as Go Mack (uncredited)
- Dwayne Marion Johnson as Bouncer (uncredited)
- Jason Johnson as Stage Manager (uncredited)
- Jessica Juarez as Cashier (uncredited)
- Steve Kaufmann as Bouncer (uncredited)
- Samantha Kelly as Pendleton's Girl (uncredited)
- David Dustin Kenyon as Concert Security (uncredited)
- Slim Khezri as Club Patron (uncredited)
- Tiffany Kimbrough as Concert Goer (uncredited)
- Ina-Alice Kopp as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- J. Kristopher as Lay Law (uncredited)
- Ray Leonard, Jr. as Orderly (uncredited)
- Jamaal Lewis as HBO Rapper (uncredited)
- Blu Lindsey as Eazy-E's Brother (uncredited)
- Wilfred Lopez as Attorney (uncredited)
- Ron Lunceford as NWA Studio Tech (uncredited)
- Mota Maria as Club Patron (uncredited)
- Jaron Marquis as T-Shirt Vendor (uncredited)
- Newton Mayenge as Car Driver (uncredited)
- Brian Metran as Club Attendee (uncredited)
- Tsion Mitchell as Hero Woman (uncredited)
- Lex Montgomery as Blood (uncredited)
- Lawrence Moran as Sgt. Moore (uncredited)
- Phillip O’Riley as Protester / Concert Goer (uncredited)
- David Pearl as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
- Oscar Pereida as Concert Goer (uncredited)
- Chauntae Pink as Suge's Girl (uncredited)
- Ladell Preston as Shorty (uncredited)
- Sean Quezada as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Jamal Quezaire as Rapper (uncredited)
- Diezel Ramos as Thug (uncredited)
- Xu Razer as Club Patron (uncredited)
- Phillip Ristaino as Protester (uncredited)
- Jana Ritter as Protester (uncredited)
- Toryan Rogers as Protective Boyfriend (uncredited)
- Vince Romo as Looter (uncredited)
- Alex Roth as Bev Hills High Girl (uncredited)
- Kimberly Ryans as Concert Attendee (uncredited)
- Philicia Saunders as Club Goer (uncredited)
- Carmina Scarpa as Pool Party Guest (uncredited)
- Caileigh Scott as Hostess (uncredited)
- Prince Shah as Pool Party Guest (uncredited)
- Rick Silver as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Marvin 'Knife' Sotelo as Concert Goer (uncredited)
- Jimmy Star as Record Mogul (uncredited)
- Maria Sten as Girlfriend (uncredited)
- Franklin J. Sterns as Record Mogul (uncredited)
- Philly Swain as Rap Fan (uncredited)
- Bogdan Szumilas as Jim (uncredited)
- Yatoya Toy as Skater Fan (uncredited)
- Steve Turner as Keith Shocklee (uncredited)
- David Ulmer as Groupie Security (uncredited)
- Lauren Daisy White as Pool Party Girl (uncredited)
- Leland White as Lench Mob / Bodyguard (uncredited)
- Sierra Meshele Williams as Girl 2 (uncredited)
- Tyron Woodley as Terry 'T-Bone' Gray (uncredited)
- Mercedes Young as Dancer (uncredited)
- David McClellan as News Reporter (uncredited)
Who talks, scene by scene
Lines of dialogue in every 3 scenes, start to finish. Women above the line, men below. 6% of lines come from characters we couldn't match to the cast list and aren't shown.
Women
Men
Scene 1 Scene 130
Hover, tap or tab to a bar to see those scenes: where they happen and who's talking.
Show the numbers
| Scenes | Women's lines | Men's lines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | 0 | 16 |
| 4 to 6 | 10 | 16 |
| 7 to 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 to 12 | 0 | 28 |
| 13 to 15 | 2 | 52 |
| 16 to 18 | 0 | 48 |
| 19 to 21 | 0 | 10 |
| 22 to 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 to 27 | 0 | 21 |
| 28 to 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 31 to 33 | 0 | 38 |
| 34 to 36 | 3 | 34 |
| 37 to 39 | 0 | 2 |
| 40 to 42 | 1 | 48 |
| 43 to 45 | 0 | 15 |
| 46 to 48 | 0 | 15 |
| 49 to 51 | 5 | 21 |
| 52 to 54 | 0 | 11 |
| 55 to 57 | 0 | 13 |
| 58 to 60 | 0 | 24 |
| 61 to 63 | 3 | 30 |
| 64 to 66 | 0 | 35 |
| 67 to 69 | 7 | 26 |
| 70 to 72 | 0 | 22 |
| 73 to 75 | 0 | 44 |
| 76 to 78 | 0 | 18 |
| 79 to 81 | 0 | 18 |
| 82 to 84 | 0 | 20 |
| 85 to 87 | 7 | 39 |
| 88 to 90 | 0 | 3 |
| 91 to 93 | 0 | 10 |
| 94 to 96 | 10 | 20 |
| 97 to 99 | 8 | 18 |
| 100 to 102 | 6 | 24 |
| 103 to 105 | 1 | 11 |
| 106 to 108 | 0 | 16 |
| 109 to 111 | 1 | 19 |
| 112 to 114 | 1 | 26 |
| 115 to 117 | 2 | 9 |
| 118 to 120 | 3 | 4 |
| 121 to 123 | 4 | 8 |
| 124 to 126 | 0 | 6 |
| 127 to 129 | 0 | 2 |
| 130 to 130 | 0 | 12 |
The evidence
- Straight from the script
- Counted from the script and the credits
Tap an exhibit to open it.
Exhibit A: every 100 lines
Out of every 100 lines with a known speaker, 8 are women's.
74 lines from women, 882 from men.
- Women
- Men
Exhibit B: who's in it
35 women and 90 men in the cast. 9 women and 45 men from it get lines.
Characters
With lines
- Women
- Men
Exhibit C: who gets heard
The first woman speaks at line 22 of 1,022.
The longest stretch with no woman speaking runs 197 lines.
Every line of dialogue, first to last
- First line by a woman
- Longest stretch with no woman speaking
Words spoken
Women speak 7% of the words (879), men 93% (11,304). Women have 8% of the lines, so their lines run shorter than men's.
Exhibit D: the test the other way
Two named men talk to each other about something besides a woman. It passes the reverse test.
Conversations between two named characters
Two women
0
Two men
87
Exhibit E: behind the camera
5 of the 21 people in these jobs are women.
Across the whole crew, 15% of the people whose gender is listed are women.
- Directed by
- F. Gary Gray (man)
- Written by
- Andrea Berloff (woman), Jonathan Herman (man)
- Story by
- S. Leigh Savidge (man), Alan Wenkus (man), Andrea Berloff (woman)
- Produced by
- Dr. Dre (man), Ice Cube (man), Tomica Woods-Wright (gender not listed), Scott Bernstein (man), Matt Alvarez (man), F. Gary Gray (man)
- Shot by
- Matthew Libatique (man)
- Edited by
- Michael Tronick (man), Billy Fox (man)
- Music by
- Joseph Trapanese (man)
- Production design by
- Shane Valentino (man)
- Costumes by
- Kelli Jones (woman)
- Cast by
- Victoria Thomas (woman), Cindy Tolan (woman), Jasmond Carroll (gender not listed)
The crew, department by department
-
Other crew
8 women, 70 men, 16 not listed
-
Production
2 women, 11 men, 7 not listed
-
Costume & Make-Up
5 women, 2 men, 11 not listed
-
Sound
0 women, 6 men
-
Writing
2 women, 3 men
-
Directing
1 women, 2 men, 1 not listed
-
Art
0 women, 3 men
-
Camera
0 women, 2 men
- Women
- Men
- Gender not listed on TMDB
Exhibit F: how old the stars were
Women: 31 on average. Men: 31 on average.
The top-billed cast, at the film's release.
Women
Carra Patterson 31, Elena Goode 31
Men
LaKeith Stanfield 23, O'Shea Jackson Jr. 24, Corey Hawkins 26, Jason Mitchell 28, Aldis Hodge 28, Neil Brown Jr. 35, R. Marcos Taylor 38, Paul Giamatti 48
Exhibit G: the money
It made 7.2 times what it cost.
- Budget
- $28 million
- Box office
- $202 million
From TMDB, not adjusted for inflation.
About this analysis
Our parser read the script: 130 scenes and 1,022 lines of dialogue. The bechdeltest.com rating comes from that site’s readers. How the test works
