Monsters are one of the most iconic parts of the horror genre, for decades vampires, ghouls and werewolves have dominated culture as some of the scariest things humanity has come up with for entertainment. Some of them are based on literature, others are based on centuries of folklore, and all of them are sure to give viewers goosebumps when watching horror films, whether they are features of creatures or the paranormal.
Many of the monsters are non-gender specific, but there are also some that are clearly female, and they can still scare viewers. From human women turned into bloodthirsty killers like Jennifer Check to terrifying creatures that were born like Syl from Varietyproving that women in terror are so much more than helpless victims and the last girls.
10 Teeth (2007)
IMDb rating: 5.4
comedy horror Teeth focuses on Dawn O’Keeffe, a young girl who promotes abstinence along with her youth group, The Promise. When a fellow temperance advocate tries to move further in their relationship, she refuses, and when he tries to rape her, she inadvertently tears off his penis with her vagina, revealing that she has teeth there.
The film was based on the folk myth of the “notched vagina”, a cautionary tale said to have been intended to prevent sexual assault. Teeth in Horror takes revenge for rape a step further, giving the protagonist an innate weapon to defend himself against attack, proving that sometimes a person only becomes a monster when forced to.
9 Jennifer’s Body (2009)
IMDb rating: 5.4
Jennifer’s body tells the story of JenniferMegan Fox) and needy (Amanda Seyfried), a pair of high school best friends whose relationship is tested when Jennifer turns into a demon-eating human after a failed ritual sacrifice. Now that her best friend has an appetite for boys at school, Needy must try to make things right, take what she needs.
From an Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody, this twisted horror comedy didn’t do well at the box office due to its marketing failing to accurately represent the film, but over time, it unexpectedly became a cult classic. Ten years later, it was re-evaluated as a film ahead of its time due to its focus on female friendship and sexuality, as well as harsh social commentary.
8 Species (1995)
IMDb score: 5.8
Variety an alien sci-fi horror film that follows a ragtag team of scientists in search of the Force, an extraterrestrial human hybrid created in a lab who escapes after trying to kill her due to her violent nature. She poses a danger like no other, as they fear that she could mate with a male and produce offspring that could potentially take over the land.
The film received a lukewarm reception from critics, but fans of the genre found its acting and creature designs to be noteworthy. While Syr in her human form was played by a model Natasha Henstridgeher more gnarled form was designed H. R. Gigerknown for his work creating xenomorphs from the Alien franchise.
7 Mom (2013)
IMDb rating: 6.2
Produces Guillermo del Toro, this film tells the story of two young girls who lived as feral children for many years before being found and rescued by their uncle who took them in with his girlfriend. They have a hard time fitting in and talk about “Mama”, a mysterious and malevolent entity from the forest they are connected to, who wants them back.
Mother scares even with a PG-13 rating along with a rather emotional story thanks to the tragic antagonist, a paranormal entity that combines a terribly unnatural appearance reminiscent of Del Toro’s monsters with the vicious and ruthless devotion that only a mother can have.
6 Evil Dead (2013)
IMDb rating: 6.5
This reimagining of the 1981 classic follows a similar premise of a group of young people heading to a cabin in the woods for a vacation. And as in the original Evil Dead demonic powers act and are released, causing Mia, one of the group members, to become possessed and go on a bloody rampage.
Despite a different, less campy tone, it still has a lot of the fun bloody moments that made its predecessors successful. Mia, a young woman possessed, becomes an exhilarating antagonist, intimidating through incredible practical special effects, mostly with or without CGI.
5 “Red Clicks” (2000)
IMDb rating: 6.8
This underrated film tells the story of Ginger and Bridget, a pair of sickly sisters whose lives change when Ginger unknowingly falls prey to a werewolf attack and turns into a monster herself. As her sister wreaks havoc on the city, Bridget and the local drug dealer must try to find a cure to save her sister before she continues to harm others.
ginger shots director John Fawcett intended to work with women for this film, was looking for a screenwriter Karen Walton develop a story of puberty and metamorphosis using lycanthropy as a dark metaphor for growing up with lots of dark humor. This gruesome growing up paved the way for other films that explore the intersection of girlhood and the world of monsters in more detail.
4 Descent (2005)
IMDb rating: 7.2
from Britain, Descent follows a group of young women exploring a system of caves who are trapped inside after a narrow passage collapses behind them. They soon learn that they are not alone underground, and that what is with them down there is neither friendly nor fully human.
It was critically acclaimed, receiving praise for its performances and effective claustrophobic fears. The creatures featured in the film, called “crawlers”, are a frightening humanoid species that have distinctly male and female limbs, both viciously stalking travelers with equal viciousness.
3 “Ringu” (1998)
IMDb rating: 7.2
Based on the novel by Koji Suzuki. ringu tells the story of journalist Reiko Asakawa, who is investigating the sudden death of her niece. She discovers a mysterious videotape in which whoever watches it curses death in seven days at the hands of Sadako, a disgusting young woman with terrifying powers.
Considered one of the most terrifying Japanese horror films, it was followed by many sequels and a remake in the US. Ring starring Naomi Watts. The film featured the iconic figure of Sadako, a creepy girl with long black hair covering her face, crawling out of the well into the living room, evoking nightmares in viewers with her mere sight on screen.
2 Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
IMDb rating: 7.8
This classic film is a sequel to 1931’s Frankenstein and tells the story of Henry Frankenstein as he continues his quest for the secret of life and immortality by bringing his first monster to life in the previous film. While his monster is still struggling with its existence, Dr. Frankenstein recreates his feat to mate him.
It received critical and public acclaim, and is now regarded as one of the greatest sequels of all time, being a nearly perfect horror film just like its predecessor. Bride of Frankenstein has become an unmistakable Halloween icon along with Frankenstein’s monster and is instantly recognizable for her wild black and white hairstyle.
1 “Aliens” (1986)
IMDb rating: 8.4
aliensaptly titled sequel Ridley ScottAlien, follows Sigourney WeaverEllen Ripley years after she survived the alien attack on her ship from the previous film. Once the terraforming colony goes down, she agrees to go on a mission to explore the site, where they discover that an alien colony has taken over.
In this installment of the franchise, viewers are introduced to the xenomorph queen, the fearsome matriarchal ruler of the chest-ripping, face-hugging aliens that have been terrifying viewers since 1979. With her incredibly large stature and insect-like figure, she is a nightmare. a character that is incredibly unnerving yet visually gorgeous.
Source: Collider
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