Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women is a gloriously feminist anthem

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Warning: this article contains discussion of suicide that some readers may find upsetting.

Minor spoilers follow.

Five women experiencing menopause – a teacher, police officer, pub owner, midwife, and a man known for petty theft – decide to start a punk rock band and enter a local talent show.

It sounds like the setup to a joke, but the women at the heart of Sally Wainwright’s new BBC drama – who call themselves the Riot Women, though Jess, played by Lorraine Ashbourne, almost went by “Hot Flush” – are dealing with very serious issues.

They’ve been holding back their thoughts and feelings for a long time, and now they’re finally ready to express themselves fully, without worrying about what others might think.

It all began as a bit of a lark, you know? A way for me and my friends to have some fun and raise a little money for refugees – I wasn’t even sure *who* they were helping at first. But it quickly became so much more. It ended up being a real lifeline for Kitty, Beth, Holly, Yvonne, and honestly, for me too. It changed everything.

Everyone faces challenges, and it’s especially true for women over 40. Even Nisha, the youngest of the group, experiences the difficulties that come with being a woman, regardless of age.

Whether it’s menopause, caring for aging parents, divorce, demanding adult children, sexism, or even sexual assault, Wainwright powerfully portrays the numerous challenges women face – often emotionally, and sometimes physically – mirroring Beth’s experience of feeling overlooked and diminished.

We first see her as a chaotic redhead stumbling through a supermarket, wearing chunky boots and a leopard print coat. She’s drinking vodka and taking pills rapidly, and her behavior is strangely captivating – until she picks up a knife, revealing she’s actually falling apart.

Honestly, it’s heartbreaking. A friend of mine is going through a really tough time right now. She’d been seeing this guy, Gavin, and he led her to believe he was separated – even told her he’d left his wife. Turns out, that was a lie, and it’s completely shattered her. That’s where all this anger is coming from, and I just feel so bad for her. She’s really lost and doesn’t know what to do.

Okay, so there’s this part where things *really* escalate. She totally loses it and spray-paints all sorts of awful things on his car – a really nice convertible, by the way! – and then jumps *on top* of it and just starts smashing the windshield with a sledgehammer. It was wild!

She lacks a strong support system or connections. Her upbringing was complicated by her father’s involvement with organized crime – he’s currently in prison, and they’ve lost contact.

Kitty has carried a deep, hidden pain throughout her life. This secret has hardened over the years, shaping who she is and poisoning everything she does.

Yet she’s not alone, even if it does feel that way.

Beth is struggling with a lot right now. She’s emotionally exhausted from caring for her mother who is experiencing memory loss, feeling undervalued at work, dealing with her recent divorce, and feeling unsupported by her son. She feels completely drained and has nothing left to give.

She described feeling overwhelmed with things like anxiety, trouble sleeping, a lack of motivation, and a generally low mood. It felt, she said, like she was losing herself, almost as if she were fading away – and she listed these feelings as casually as if she were talking about groceries.

She was about to give up when two phone calls came through. The first, from her selfish brother, only made her more certain that she was ready to end things.

Then Jess sends a message asking Beth to join her rock band, completely surprising Beth. This leads to Beth meeting Kitty and the other band members, who help each other overcome their personal struggles and achieve something amazing – they’re like a group rising powerfully from difficult times.

Craig explained that both characters are struggling with suicidal thoughts, each with their own unique circumstances. However, they ultimately rescue one another, and the series explores whether they recognize this connection as it unfolds over the six episodes.

What I find so endearing about Beth and Kitty is their unlikely connection. Beth essentially steps into a motherly role for Kitty, and Kitty, having had a difficult beginning, seems ready to let Beth be that supportive figure in her life.

The music truly unites them, creating a deep and meaningful connection. Playing together, alongside the other members of Riot Women, forms a bond that’s completely one-of-a-kind.

It’s incredibly inspiring and touching to see the Riot Women rediscover their strength and confidence, supported by each other in ways they never thought possible – and realize this is exactly what they’ve been missing.

As a film buff, one thing I really appreciate is how stories often give characters multiple chances. Craig put it perfectly – it’s all about new beginnings, earning redemption, or just finally letting your true self shine. It’s incredibly hopeful to see characters reinvent themselves and get a fresh start, you know?

This is Wainwright’s most inspiring and heartwarming film to date. It’s a deeply moving story, particularly for women who are feeling the effects of aging, and celebrates the strength women find when they support each other and speak their minds. It beautifully shows how this can positively change the lives of everyone around them.

Scanlan explained that sharing your true self is beneficial both personally and for others, creating a sense of connection and unity.

“It’s an antidote to loneliness, to isolation, to feeling unheard or invisible.”

It’s never too late to start something new, no matter your age. Women are often told they should hold back as they get older, but that’s simply not true. In fact, reaching 40, 50, 60, or any age is a great time to fully embrace new opportunities.

Craig pointed out that society often acts like a woman’s life is over after age 30, but he saw evidence every day that this isn’t true. He believes people of all ages have so much to offer and enjoy, whether it’s learning an instrument for the first time or forming new friendships, even in their 60s. He questioned why these experiences should be limited by age.

Because those scars and bruises, invisible or otherwise, mean something — they make killer lyrics.

If you’re struggling with the issues discussed in this article, support and advice are available from Samaritans, CALM, Rethink Mental Illness, and Mind.

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2025-10-12 11:35