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The Uniquely Female Scam of ‘Hustlers’
The working-class women of the film take care of their own before taking care of themselves
“Only help women, only scam men,” declares Joanne the Scammer, the larger-than-life viral character dressed in a fur coat and wig, whose videos depict the glamorous lifestyle of a grifter. This statement could just as easily describe the plot of Hustlers, a dizzying tale of desire, transgression, and the women who operate at the intersection of sexual and economic power. It’s not the first scam story to have captured America’s attention lately — and likely won’t be the last — but its focus on the realities of working-class women diverges from the aura of entrepreneurial providence surrounding female grifters like Elizabeth Holmes and Anna Delvey. Instead of scamming for influence, Hustlers narrows in on the ambitions of women who prioritize cold hard cash over social capital.
When we’re introduced to this world, it’s from the perspective of Destiny (Constance Wu), a new dancer at a New York City strip club who just wants to make enough money to “take care of [her] grandma, maybe go shopping every once in a while.” The charismatic veteran Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), has a different opinion of wealth: “Doesn’t money make you horny?” she quips, passing Destiny as she exits the stage, a surplus of $1 bills…
