It’s no secret that the horror genre is not particularly welcoming to female artists. Female horror directors are hard to come by, as women tend to have a difficult time finding a place in such a male-dominated industry. According to the San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, “Overall, females comprised 40% of all speaking characters on television programs appearing on the broadcast networks, cable, and streaming services … Behind the scenes, women accounted for 27% of all creators, directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors, and directors of photography working on programs delivered via the various platforms last year.” Meanwhile, female horror protagonists tend to lack heroism or bold personalities. In fact, one commonly used trope of the horror genre known as “rape-revenge”, which can be seen in films such as Teeth, American Mary, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, revolves around the sexual assault of a female protagonist and the subsequent murder or torture of her attackers. Many of these films are exploitive and use the trauma of sexual assault to shock viewers, which does very little for positive female representation and leaves many audiences feeling violated. That’s not to say female protagonists do not exist, as plenty of “scream queens” have graced the big screen over the years, but for a while, only a few empowered women outside of the rape-revenge trope. That’s why this Halloween, you should check out these five horror flicks that star some not-so-helpless damsels in distress and will help you leave your spooky movie marathon feeling unstoppable.
1. Carrie (1976) dir. Brian De Palma
You can’t talk about women in horror without discussing Carrie, perhaps one of the most well-known female-led horror movies of all time. While Carrie White (Sissy Spacek), is no hero, she is certainly a powerful woman. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same title, Carrie explores the struggles of becoming a woman in a society that shames sexuality, the experience of being bullied by your peers, and the development of Carrie’s telekinetic powers. You probably won’t feel very uplifted after watching this film, but you will definitely be left with a lot to consider. The 2013 remake directed by Kimberly Pierce offers the same story from a fully female perspective.
2. Suspiria (1977) dir. Dario Argento
Suspiria is an Italian horror film that was overlooked by mainstream American audiences for years until director Luca Guadagnino announced his 2018 remake, due to hit theaters on Oct. 26, just in time for Halloween. The surrealist thriller follows Suzy Bannion, (Jessica Harper), an American ballet student who uncovers dark secrets at the Tanz Dance Academy in Freiburg, Germany. Suzy is an incredibly strong-willed character who is able to independently discover and defeat the film’s antagonists, which is something not many female protagonists in horror manage to do. Suspiria features a large cast of mostly female characters and is a genuinely captivating film full of twists, making it perfect for any girl’s night in.
3. Ginger Snaps (2000) dir. John Fawcett
This cult classic teen horror film stars two misfit sisters, Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigette (Emily Perkins), who are both deeply obsessed with death and the occult. The story follows the events of older sister Ginger’s first period – which just so happens to occur right after she was attacked by a werewolf. The plot is admittedly a bit strange and outlandish, but Fawcett manages to find the perfect mix of satire and horror in order to tell his story. Like Carrie, Ginger Snaps is also a discussion about female sexuality and the standards put on young girls, though this time around, audiences also see a strong relationship between the two sisters. This film will tug at your heartstrings and make you cringe in fear, which is essentially the goal of any good horror movie.
4. Raw (2016) dir. Julia Ducournau
This next pick is not for anyone who is easily disturbed or has a weak stomach – but it is a worthy and unforgettable addition to the world of female-directed horror. French filmmaker Ducournau won several awards for the film, which is notorious for causing audiences to flee theaters in disgust and horror. The plot centers around Justine (Garance Marillier), a vegetarian veterinary student who is forced to eat raw meat as part of a hazing ritual. Once Justine realizes she has developed a taste for meat, she gradually moves on to … unconventional sources for her meals. Like Ginger Snaps, this story focuses on the relationship between Justine and her sister, as the two characters bond over their shared experiences. Raw is undoubtedly the most graphic film on this list but it is also an incredibly artistic female-centric horror film that has helped critics notice other female artists in the industry.
5. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) dir. Kim Jee-woon
As the third foreign film on our list, A Tale of Two Sisters offers as much mystery as it does horror, even despite any cultural barriers from American or European audiences. “At least in the Korean horror genre, there are more female protagonists that actually don’t fall under the sexual violence trope than we might expect. Though they might not be victims or survivors of sexual violence, their experiences and roles as characters are explicitly tied to their femininity, often to innocence or some demure sensibility that drives how they act and react within the horror film,” said a third-year Honors College student, Kathryn Slusarczyk. A Tale of Two Sisters is a Korean horror film about sisters Soo-mi (Soo-jung Lim) and Soo-yeon (Guen-young Moon) who reunite after Soo-mi is released from a mental health facility, only to find that their new stepmother is deeply disturbed. Several twists unfold, creating an unsuspecting ghost story praised by audiences. “My favorite horror film is definitely A Tale of Two Sisters. Not only is the cinematography incredible, but I really love the psychological aspect of the plot,” said Slusarczyk.
This list shows only a fraction of the amazing female-led and directed horror films out there, but it’s a start. Both American and foreign artists alike are finally realizing the potential women have in the horror industry and are letting their stories be told. All five of these films are the perfect example of female-driven horror stories not focused on sexual violence and offer female audiences a simultaneously liberating and terrifying experience.