Women have always played a big role in the horror genre. Usually resigned to being the victim (although there are some great female villains), countless horror films portray women through an objectifying lens before being horribly murdered. The final female character was born from these on-screen murders, as usually the nicest and most well-mannered character (usually a woman) survives to defeat the killer with the power of virginity.
There has been a shift in the horror genre over the past few decades as more and more women get significant roles in filmmaking. This has resulted in an increase in higher quality portrayals of female characters and a decrease in the genre’s sleazy undertones in the past. Some films go one step further with an almost entirely female cast, often dealing with themes of feminism and female friendship as its characters struggle to survive.
‘Descent’ (2005)
It’s usually the first movie people think of when discussing female-only horror. When a personal tragedy makes Sarah (Shona McDonald) to fall into a depressive spiral, her friends drag her along on an adventure vacation. As six women explore a network of caves, they come face to face with carnivorous creatures.
Bye Descent gruesome as blind monsters prey on women with sound, it’s also well written and performed as it explores the dynamics between six friends. Each character feels different, and the focus on older characters is a welcome change for a genre that traditionally kills teens.
“Black Christmas” (1974)
One of the most influential slashers of all time. Black Christmas was the inspiration for halloween. As most of the students are away on vacation, a group of sorority sisters still staying at their home on campus begin receiving threatening phone calls. As the calls become more frequent, an unknown figure begins to stalk and kill the girls.
Cast members Black Christmas makes a welcome difference from the horny teenagers that dominate the slasher genre, as each of the young women feels like a kindred character. Casting the killer as a stalker rather than a giant masked man also makes the film much more unnerving, as the script is rooted in reality.
Black Christmas available for streaming on Shudder, Peacock and Tubi.
‘Suspiria’ (2018)
interpretation of the original, Suspiria destined to become a cult classic in the future. When the American ballerina Susie (Dakota Johnson) travels to Germany in the 1970s to enroll in a prestigious dance academy, she soon discovers that there is something sinister about the game as a coven preys on young women.
Led by Johnson’s excellent performance, she is backed by a built cast that includes Tilda Swinton, Mia Gothand Chloe Grace Moretz. In fact, the film’s only male lead is played by Swinton, who plays three different characters, adding another entry to his long list of great roles.
Suspiria available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
‘Relic’ (2020)
Exploring the horrors of aging Relic follows three generations of women in the family. Edna suffers from dementia and has gone missing from her home, causing her daughter Kay and granddaughter Sam to come looking for her. There, they discover an unsettling atmosphere in the house and within Edna herself.
Relic takes something everyone fears, grows old, and uses it to get under the skin of the public. Aging is a villain we can’t beat no matter how hard we try, and as Kay and Sam try to comfort Edna in her confused state, she exists as a stark reminder of the painful future that lies ahead of them, creating a true horror feel.
‘Run’ (2020)
Every mother can be a little bossy sometimes, but usually they do it because they want the best for us. That’s what teen chloe isKira Allen) believes, but when her controlling mother Diana (Sarah Paulson) begins to exhibit suspicious behavior, wheelchair-bound Chloe begins to suspect that something is wrong.
The film is based on two performances by Allen and Paulson, and both actors rise to the challenge as their love relationship sours. Run maintains an effective level of tension as Diane begins to lose her looks more and more, while Chloe becomes a likable protagonist that you can’t help rooting for.
Run available for streaming on Hulu.
‘Furies’ (2019)
Down Under Slasher, Furies follows Kayla when she is kidnapped and wakes up in a box. Breaking out of this, she finds herself placed in a remote outback along with several other women. Soon a group of masked men arrive and begin brutally killing them.
What is he doing Furies The difference from other slashers is that each of the killers is associated with one of the victims. If this woman dies, then the killer dies, so this will create battle royale such an atmosphere where the killers are forced to protect one of the women while trying to kill the rest. This is a unique take on the crowded genre.
Furies available for streaming on Shudder.
“House on Sorority Street” (1982)
Cult classic of the 80s, House on sorority street follows a group of sorority girls coping with the aftermath of a prank that resulted in the death of their caregiver. Seven young women decide to hide the body and have a prom to hide that something is wrong. However, someone knows what they have done, and during the party, the girls become victims of an unknown killer.
It is often cited as one of the most underrated slasher films of the era. House on sorority street differed from his peers in that he relied less on blood and more on creating tension as each of his characters is pursued and killed.
House on sorority street available for streaming on Shudder and Tubi.
‘The Host’ (2020)
One of the most creative films to come out during the lockdown due to the pandemic. Master took full advantage of the situation to create one of the best horror films of the past few years. Set completely over a Zoom call, Master follows a group of friends who have an online session which, of course, unleashes a demon that haunts them all.
In the midst of the pandemic, everyone was forced to go online as most people worked from home. It does Master strange as all the quirks of video chat are on display when a group of women are filmed one by one while the rest are forced to watch from home knowing they might be next.
Master available for streaming on Shudder.
‘Annihilation’ (2018)
When a strange anomaly is discovered to be slowly engulfing the American countryside, a small team of scientists is sent to the zone to find out what it contains. While there, the five explorers encounter strange environments and creatures as a new discovery has a dangerous effect on everything they encounter.
With an excellent cast that includes Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leighand Tessa Thompson, Annihilation it is a well acted and directed film. While the convoluted nature of the plot may confuse some, its creative visuals are sure to please anyone who likes to have their horror movies “out there”.
Annihilation available for streaming on Paramount+.
‘Carrie’ (1976)
Based on the classic novel Stephen King, Carrie follows shy teen Carrie WhiteSissy Spacek) as she is bullied by her classmates and her extremely religious mother. When Carrie becomes an adult, she discovers that she has strange powers, and these dangerous powers are revealed when her bullies go too far.
While there are, of course, male characters in Carriewomen fill every major role, starting with Carrie and her deranged mother Margaret (Piper Laurie) to his nemesis Chris (Nancy Allen) and the well-meaning Sue (Amy Irving). Carrie works as an examination of that terrible time when children are forced to grow up.
Carrie available for streaming on Tubi.
Source: Collider
