The Best Women-Led Action Thrillers to Watch After “Pretty Lethal”

The action-comedy and thriller scene is severely lacking in diversity, particularly when it comes to women of color taking center stage and playing leading roles within these blended genres’ storytelling. But the release of the film Pretty Lethal on Prime marks a refreshing change.

Pretty Lethal is unique in that it follows five ballerinas trying to escape from a secluded inn after their bus breaks down on the way to their recital in Budapest. There, the girls must fight their way out, using their skills from intensive ballet training as a form of combat to survive the night and bring down the resort’s revenge-driven leader.

The cast is star-studded, with Mean Girls (2024) alum Avantika Vandanapu being a multi-hyphenated star with considerable training in ballet and classical Indian dance such as Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi since the age of five, making her perfect for the role of Grace in the film. Vietnamese American actress Lana Condor also had to work hard to step into the role of a ballerina. She underwent an intense training regimen during filming that she detailed in a PEOPLE exclusive interview, which included weight training, ballet classes five days a week, and tracking her nutritional intake. Rounding off the main ensemble is Millicent Simmonds from A Quiet Place as Chloe. The movie skillfully incorporated Simmonds’ deafness into the role of Chloe. She advocated for Deaf inclusion in the film, which prominently features specialized sound design and American Sign Language in certain dialogues.

While watching the film, the dark comedy and intense fight scenes, which simultaneously demonstrated the power and artistry of ballet choreography, stood out to me the most. I may not be able to watch anything closely connected to the subjects depicted in Pretty Lethal, but the film reminded me of many feature films and television shows in which female-led friend groups take center stage at the crossroads of horror and comedy. So, if you’re like me and looking for more shows and movies to add to your watch list, look no further, because I have three suggestions for what to watch after finishing Pretty Lethal!

Scream Queens (2015)

My favorite from this list would have to be 2015’s Scream Queens, which combines horror and comedy. Personally, I think this should be your first watch after finishing Pretty Lethal because of the show’s satirical comedy, which is quite similar to the humor in Pretty Lethal! The first season focuses on the fictional Wallace University, where one of the school’s top sororities, Kappa Kappa Tau, confronts a serial killer who is deliberately targeting its members. 

Twenty years earlier, Sophia Doyle, a Kappa Kappa Tau member, died while giving birth at a sorority party. This event serves as a catalyst which inevitably leads to the killings in the present. The school’s mascot, fittingly named the Red Devil, has been nicknamed the serial killer, and the new initiates are entrusted with determining who is killing the students before they become the next target.

Forbidden Fruits (2026)

The second movie on my list is a modern take on the action-thriller and dark comedy genres, with its theatrical release coinciding with Pretty Lethal’s Prime Video launch on March 25. The film follows the trio ensemble known as “The Fruits,” played by Lili Reinhart, Alexandra Shipp, and Victoria Pedretti as Apple, Fig, and Cherry, respectively, who work at a local mall apparel boutique, Free Eden.

The girls have a secret they keep during the night: they run a witch coven after hours. Their routine changes when Pumpkin (played by Lola Tung), a new mall employee, is welcomed into their coven, putting the girls’ secrets, histories, and friendship to the test. The film blends nostalgia from the 1990s and early 2000s, reminiscent of teen dramas like Mean Girls and The Craft, with a modern twist to create a cult classic and campy horror experience. 

D.E.B.S (2004)

In more of a throwback mood? Then 2004’s D.E.B.S. might be your next best pick! The espionage action comedy stars seemingly typical high school girls who are recruited by the United States government for their abilities during the SAT aptitude test. They later train to become top-secret spies known as D.E.B.S. (Discipline, Energy, Beauty, and Strength), who are tasked as the first line of defense in the fight against crime. The core cast includes Hollywood veteran stars such as Megan Good fromThink Like A Man and model-actress Devon Aoki as part of the D.E.B.S assemble. The film is cliché in nature and, unlike other action films, never takes itself too seriously. However, if you’re looking for a good laugh with a hint of romance, this campy Y2K comedy is for you. 

Looking for more shows and movies to include in your watchlist this spring? Check out EnVi’s 5 Studio Ghibli Films To Watch During Spring!