During October, when the leaves are falling and the air becomes chilly, many people seek out a good thrill. Haunted houses and pranks are a few of the many ways that people like to spend their Halloween. Other people, like myself, enjoy binging horror and thriller movies that are bound to make Halloween even more exciting than it already is.
Although it is a very male-dominated genre, some of the best horror movies have female leads. There aren’t very many women that are considered horror icons, and great movies are often overlooked just because the characters are mainly female. Luckily, as more people realize that the entertainment industry has a problem with misogyny, more female-driven films are climbing in popularity.
Recently taking the internet by storm, “The Substance,” released Sept. 20, tackles the issue of the world’s view on aging women. It follows an aging celebrity as she takes a drug that creates a younger clone of herself, as well as the chaos that follows when she quits following the instructions to maintain her new self. The elements of grotesque body horror make the movie terrifying without relying on jump scares. Demi Moore, who plays the main character, and Margaret Qualley, who plays her clone, both give chilling performances and should be recognized for their talent.
Another movie that was extremely popular on its release, “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” from 2022 has only three men in its cast of eight people. The plot involves a group of friends partying during a hurricane. When their murder mystery game becomes real, no one can trust each other. While all of the actresses were fantastic, Rachel Sennott especially stood out. Also known for starring in the female-driven film “Bottoms,” Sennott’s performances are always entertaining and hilarious.
An old yet gold film from 1991, “The Silence of the Lambs” is still highly regarded to this day. The film follows a West Virginian FBI agent in training, played by Jodie Foster, as she talks to one criminal in order to find another. Although Foster isn’t from West Virginia, hearing her accent and stories from her time in West Virginia can resonate with viewers from the state. Despite being fiction, seeing a successful woman from West Virginia is still an inspiration to those who feel that where they’re from and their gender are a hindrance in their goals.
One of the most relatable horror films to me, “Black Swan,” speaks to me as a ballet dancer. The psychological horror follows ballerina Nina, played by Natalie Portman, as she receives the role of a lifetime. However, her quest for perfection consumes her as she slowly destroys herself. The movie showcases a troubled woman’s all-too-common search for greatness, as well as misogyny and exploitation in the ballet scene. Even for women who aren’t ballet dancers, the film can be seen as relatable to those who struggle with abuse, controlling parents, and the fear of failure.
An abstract film from this year that can be seen as confusing to those who don’t understand the true meaning, “I Saw the TV Glow” makes the viewer reflect on their own true selves. It follows a repressed trans woman named Owen and her best friend Maddy as their obsession with a television show causes them to realize that the stars of the show are actually their true selves. The film is equally as sad as it is scary, with Owen never accepting herself for who she truly is. The film can be appreciated for its beautiful cinematography and score as well as its emotional plot.
When looking at representation for women in film, it’s important to consider all women, no matter their race, sexuality, religion, or anything else that defines them. Horror is a big interest for many people, and they should be able to look at their favorite genre and see someone who resembles themselves. I encourage any women who are interested in acting or film to pursue their dreams, no matter how hard fighting for a spot in a patriarchal industry can be. By discussing and acknowledging horror movies with female leads, not only is the entertainment industry improved, but the rest of the world will learn to represent women on the same level they do men.
