13 Feminist Horror Movies You Should Watch This Halloween

If you’ve seen any horror movie, it’s no secret some of our favorite classics fall into sexist tropes, most often with the final girl in slashers being innocent and virginal while her counterpart that engages in “sinful”You will be punished for your behavior.

These feminist horror flicks, thrillers, and films are not about conforming to the male gaze. They show a new direction for the genre. One that encourages complex relationships between women, destigmatizes sexuality, and fights against patriarchal societies that have oppressed these female heroes for centuries.

Here are 13 feminist horror movies to kick off spooky season, because what’s scarier than not defeating the patriarchy?

“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)

Roman Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby”By focusing on feminist themes such as autonomy and rape, the film elevated horror’s feminist focus. Mia Farrow stars as Rosemary, a young woman married to Guy as the pair move into a new apartment building rumored to be haunted, and their introduction to their elderly neighbors who are plagued by death and tragedy doesn’t help. Rosemary is pregnant, and she experiences a strange hallucination from Satan. Tortured with pain from the pregnancy, even Rosemary herself becomes terrified to wonder what this baby will do if it’s born. While the heroine consistently has her taken autonomy away from her, she never stops fighting to regain control and the film’s conclusion leaves her in a position of power.

“Carrie” (1976)

Brian De Palma’s “Carrie” made waves by unveiling the fear held by men of women wielding too much power onto the big screen in the adaptation of Stephen King’s 1973 book. Carrie discovers that she is gifted with psychic abilities after her first period. However, her Christian upbringing makes it difficult to know how to navigate her next chapter. After being targeted by the school bully and eventually being the subject of a dumping of pig’s blood, Carrie gets revenge by setting fire to the gym. Some dispute “Carrie’s”The feminist agenda is notable for its misogynist roots, and its pessimistic end. It stands out as an example of how women can regain power in a world where they are likely to fail.

“Scream” (1996)

Wes Craven’s “Scream”It is a horror classic for its satirization and feminist perspective. Sidney Prescott and her friend are plagued by Ghostface, a ghost-like killer. The film is satirizing the sub-genre that inspired such horror films as “Halloween” “Friday the 13th.”Instead of rewarding young women who resist temptation with the title of final girl, however, “Scream”This trope is avoided and the female friends are not pitted against one another. Ultimately, death befalls the group but doesn’t use the tragedy as a way to ward off teenage girls from engaging in “sinful” behavior.

“The Stepford Wives” (2004)

Before “Don’t Worry Darling”There was “The Stepford Wives.” TV executive Joanna, played by Nicole Kidman, moves with her husband from the big city to the suburb of Stepford, where crisp, manicured lawns mirror the perfection of the town’s women, who seem a bit too put together to Joanna. Struggling to adjust to the change, she grows suspicious of community and attempts to crack Stepford’s secret. Like its predecessors, the film toys with the women’s autonomy as the prim and proper housewives are controlled by their husbands only to satisfy their needs, reflecting the growing concern of women’s liberation amongst men.

“Jennifer’s Body” (2009)

Despite the fact that it was not a huge success at first, “Jennifer’s Body”It has been praised for its powerful story and ability to empower women. Megan Fox plays Jennifer, who is controlled by a demon and forced to kill her male classmates through seduction. However, her best friend tries her stop and reveals her true self. Like “Scream,”The dark comedy tackled the taboo that teen sex is taboo. It also dispelled the belief that young girls who have sex are doomed. This message was prevalent in horror films at the same time.

“Gone Girl” (2014)

While “The Stepford Wives”Takes suburban heterosexual anxieties to the extreme “Gone Girl” takes a more realistic look at what it means to be trapped in a life you don’t see as your own any longer. Nick and Amy have a seemingly perfect marriage to outsiders — until Amy abruptly goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Police arrive to investigate the violent scene at their home with no Amy in sight, but their investigation creates more questions than answers and leaves Nick appearing guilty — just as Amy had planned. In fact, Amy crafted each step with precision and thought to reclaim her life and her marriage just how she pleased, leaving Nick to feel guilty for the role he’s played in lessening her happiness. David Fincher’s adaptation of the Gillian Flynn novel is biting up through the final frame.

“The Babadook” (2014)

This is a departure from the overtly feminist message. “The Babadook”The female point of view conveys the message subversively and slowly. Amelia raises her son, Sam, alone in the wake of her husband’s death and one night, Amelia reads Sam a storybook called Mister Babadook. The monster’s disturbing appearance bothers both Amelia and Sam, as Sam struggles to sleep while being plagued with images of the figure. Strange events occur, and Amelia must use all her courage to defend her son and Amelia comforts him. Despite the figure’s intimidating existence, the film hinges on Amelia’s experience as a single mother while inserting themes of grief, loss and mental health.

“A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night” (2014)

“A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night”The film adds to stereotypes of femme fatales by showing female power beyond seduction, with the twist of a love tale. A young man named Arash is struggling to take care of his heroin-addicted dad. Then, a mysterious woman intervenes and saves Arash. The woman, who is secretly a vampire, spends her time alone listening to music and finds companionship with Arash, but she resists the urge to get her hands on his skin. This film is different from horror movies that restrict female autonomy. It gives the woman freedom to move through the night without fear and even acts as a protector for her lover.

“The Witch” (2015)

“The Witch”This novel revisits the old witches’ attack with a contemporary and satisfying twist. After a religious dispute in 1630s New England results in a family being expelled from the Puritan community, they are left to their own devices, building and harvesting their own farms. Thomasin, a teenage girl, is brought up in this time of uncertainty. She struggles to want what her parents want for herself: marriage and children. Against the background of a misogynist society that sees women who don’t fall into the traditional role of motherhood, Thomasin’s determination to create her own path is a freeing rebellion from societal norms.

“Us” (2019)

Jordan Peele’s second directorial feature “Us”Another important step in horror was the inclusion of Black women. This group is often underrepresented in all genres but horror in particular. The film, which had the highest grossing opening weekend of a film with a Black female lead ever, stars Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a mother and wife who travels to Santa Cruz, CA for a family vacation. The relaxing getaway quickly goes awry when the family becomes tormented by doppelgängers who threaten Adelaide, her husband and their children.

“Midsommar” (2019)

Ari Aster’s “Midsommar”Documents the spiraling events that occur after a couple visits a Swedish commune to celebrate the midsummer festival. Despite all the chaos that ensues, the community is a very matriarchal society with women holding positions of spiritual, sexual, and societal authority. Though the rituals might be disturbing at times, the film’s embrace of womanhood is refreshing.

“Last Night in Soho” (2021)

Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” centers on Ellie, a fashion student who dreams of the fantastic era of the ’60s. Despite her sunny attitude, Ellie faces a darkness, plagued by her mother’s ghost that manifests itself in visions of her mother. When the reality of being a student in gritty London is a bit harsher than expected, Ellie’s dreams transform her into Sandie, a singer trying to make a name for herself in 1960s London. What begins as a fantasy quickly turns sinister when Ellie becomes tangibly involved in Sandie’s pain, leading Ellie to unveil the violent crimes that are closer to her present than she previously thought. The film exposes the men who torture young women in the past and present and, even better, makes them pay for their crimes.

“Promising Young Woman” (2020)

“Promising Young Woman”The absurd claim that sexual assault victims are being accused is absurd. “promising young men” and shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions on its head. After dropping out of medical school, Cassie is happy with her life. She works as a barista and pretends to be drunk at bars in order to teach men how to exploit her. A former crush encourages Cassie to trust men despite her insecurity. She takes the leap, while continuing her unresolved revenge plot. She takes one final shot at justice when her new relationship is entwined with the ghosts in her past.