Patty Jenkins

Learn about Patty Jenkins (born July 24, 1971) — American director, screenwriter, and producer. From Monster to Wonder Woman, explore her journey, creative vision, challenges, and powerful quotes.

Introduction

Patricia Lea “Patty” Jenkins (born July 24, 1971) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer known for directing Monster (2003) and Wonder Woman (2017), among other works. Her career is notable not only for her artistic achievements, but for breaking barriers as a female director in big-budget filmmaking and advocating for creative integrity and gender equity.

Early Life and Family

Patty Jenkins was born in Victorville, California.

Due to her father’s military service, the family frequently moved. Jenkins spent parts of her childhood in Thailand and Germany before eventually settling in Kansas and later Washington, D.C.

It was around that time, on a road trip returning to San Francisco, that Jenkins and her sister were dropped off at a theater to watch Superman (1978). She has said that the film deeply impacted her and ignited her passion for telling stories through film.

Youth, Education & Formative Years

From an early age, Jenkins explored artistic pursuits such as painting, photography, screen printing, and experimental film. The Cooper Union in New York, earning a BFA in painting (her undergraduate focus) in 1993. Later, she pursued an MFA in directing at the AFI Conservatory (American Film Institute), completing it around 2000.

While in New York, she took an experimental film course that she describes as pivotal: it allowed her to see how music, drama, and visual art could converge.

Career and Achievements

Debut and Monster (2003)

Patty Jenkins’ breakthrough came with Monster (2003), the true-crime film about Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who was convicted of six murders. Jenkins wrote and directed the film. Monster became a critical and commercial success—grossing over $60 million globally.

Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Wuornos won her the Academy Award for Best Actress—in part due to the intense collaboration and direction Jenkins brought to the project. Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature and the Franklin J. Schaffner Award from AFI.

Television & Interim Directing Work

After Monster, Jenkins worked in television and smaller projects while developing her next major film. She directed episodes of Arrested Development, Entourage, and other series. The Killing (AMC) in 2011, for which she earned a Primetime Emmy nomination and a Directors Guild of America award nomination.

She was once attached to direct Thor: The Dark World, but exited that project due to creative differences.

Superhero Success: Wonder Woman

In 2015, Jenkins was tapped to direct Wonder Woman (2017), starring Gal Gadot. $800 million worldwide.

Jenkins made history as one of the first women to direct a big-budget studio superhero film, and Wonder Woman symbolized a turning point for representation in blockbuster cinema.

She followed it with Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), for which she not only directed but also co-wrote and produced.

Recent & Upcoming Projects

Patty Jenkins has been associated with a Star Wars film—Rogue Squadron—which would make her the first woman to direct a Star Wars theatrical movie.

Meanwhile, plans for Wonder Woman 3 have fluctuated. Jenkins has clarified that she “never walked away” from the franchise, but that structural changes in DC Studios have impacted the project.

Themes, Style & Influence

Patty Jenkins’ work frequently centers on themes of identity, empathy, power, and the moral complexity of heroism. In Wonder Woman, she emphasized that Diana Prince should be a universal character whose story is resonant for all people—regardless of gender.

Her style often seeks an emotional core: she resists gratuitous violence or gratuitous grit when it undermines humanity. During production of Wonder Woman, she reportedly fought for creative control in aspects such as tone, character agency, and narrative integrity.

She also advocates for opening doors for women and underrepresented voices in film, speaking candidly about the challenges female directors face in Hollywood.

Famous Quotes by Patty Jenkins

Here are several impactful quotes attributed to her:

“As soon as I went to painting school in New York, I took an experimental film course, and everything clicked … I realized my love of music and drama and the visual arts all came together.”

“It’s been my experience with damaged people: they don’t wake up every day and wallow in the bad things that have happened to them.”

“It’s like there’s something very maternal about Wonder Woman: when push comes to shove, if nobody else wants to do it, Wonder Woman would step up … But she doesn’t want to do it, and she would never take any delight in it.”

“Superhero movies are so famous because of the metaphor that they trigger in one’s self about who you could be if things were different.”

From her IMDb quotes:
“The second I wanted to be a director there were constant flirtations and inappropriate overtures and requests to have meetings in weird places.”

These quotes reflect her awareness of the personal and structural challenges women face, the emotional and symbolic weight of storytelling, and her belief in characters that represent both strength and vulnerability.

Lessons from Patty Jenkins

1. Master both craft and empathy
   Jenkins’ background in visual arts, technical set work, and editing informs her strong visual and narrative instincts—but she always centers the humanity of characters.

2. Advocate for your vision
   She fought studios for control over Wonder Woman, especially in how the film portrayed its female protagonist.

3. Break barriers with integrity
   Her successes in blockbuster filmmaking show that female directors can helm large-scale, impactful projects while staying true to voice and values.

4. Switching mediums is possible
   Jenkins moved from painting to film, from small projects to big studios—showing that creativity can evolve across forms.

5. Representation matters
   Her insistence that a female superhero be universal is both artistic and political: she aims to expand who gets to be a hero onscreen.

Conclusion

Patty Jenkins has become a pivotal figure in modern cinema—one who combines emotional intelligence with blockbuster ambition. Her path from painter to assistant cameraperson to director of Wonder Woman signifies both talent and tenacity.

In a landscape that often marginalizes women behind the camera, Jenkins stands as a model: one who demands agency, uplifts stories that matter, and challenges industry norms. Her work will likely continue to inspire both audiences and the next generation of filmmakers.