"Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" is an influential essay by film theorist Laura Mulvey, published in 1975. In it, she explores how traditional cinema often reflects and reinforces patriarchal values through its portrayal of women. Mulvey argues that the male gaze dominates film narratives, objectifying female characters and positioning them as passive subjects for male viewers. The essay introduces the concept of the "male gaze," which describes how visual arts and literature depict the world from a masculine perspective. Mulvey critiques the way Hollywood films construct narratives that prioritize male desire, ultimately shaping societal views on gender and sexuality.