Female Centered Horror Films | Women in Horror Month

Grab some popcorn, pajamas, and some wine cause we’re having a girl’s night. Without a doubt, I am the friend that forces the group to watch horror movies at the sleepover. If you invite me over you can guarantee that I’m packing a copy of The Exorcist and my favorite Halloween pajamas.

Call up your squad and pour yourself a glass of rosé because today we’re discussing horror films that are all about the ladies.

Teeth. Yes – this is the film about a girl with teeth in her…ahem, vagina. Despite how ridiculous this sounds; this black comedy was quite brilliant. The film focuses on Dawn, who discovers that she has Vagina Dentata after she bites the penis off a guy who was attempting to sexually assault her. She soon realizes that if she’s relaxed, and the situation is consensual that her teeth do not come out. Let that be a lesson on consent, folks.

Rosemary’s Baby. This critically acclaimed film is a classic based on the soundtrack and cinematography alone. Ah, the joys of motherhood. A time that’s supposed to be beautiful quickly turns into a mother’s worst nightmare when she finds out her child is the spawn of Satan. And I don’t mean the child is a little temperamental, I mean he’s the literal Antichrist.

The Craft. This film is what Mean Girls would be if The Plastics had a goth phase. It has all the qualities of your favorite chick flick – only the clique in this film is a coven of witches. If this film doesn’t have you attempting to play “light as a feather, stiff as a board” at your party then you need to watch it again.

Ginger Snaps. As if puberty wasn’t hard enough, try adding lycanthropy into the mix. Your body is changing, you’re growing hair in places you’ve never grown hair before, then there’s the fangs and the whole “tearing boys to shreds” things – it’s all a bit much. If you thought your teenage years were bad, you need to watch Ginger Snaps.

The Descent. A group of friends set out to explore an unmapped cave system in the Appalachian Mountains, in the hopes of being the first to do so. Unfortunately for them, they discover they weren’t the first and the ones that came before them mysteriously never made it out. The feeling of claustrophobia in this film is almost palpable. Seeing the women crawl through narrow paths and stuck in tight spaces almost makes it hard for the viewer to breathe. It’s a test of strength as the characters fight tooth and nail to not only find their way out, but to escape death as they encounter a hoard of cannibalistic humanoids hidden deep in the cave.

Inside. If you’re in the mood for something gruesome and can handle some gore, then you’ll enjoy this. A pregnant woman, still dealing with the trauma of losing her husband, is tormented by a strange woman that breaks into her house. Her goal – to cut the woman’s child out with a pair of scissors. It’s a bloody thrill ride from beginning to end.

American Mary. A brilliant film by Jen and Sylvia Soska. Medical student, Mary Mason, is struggling to make ends meet and gets thrown into the world of extreme body modification. She withdraws from school after being sexually assaulted by one of her former professors. She eventually gets her revenge and puts her newfound modification skills to the test. 

All Cheerleaders Die. This black comedy is ridiculous in the best way possible. A cheerleading squad gains supernatural powers after being brought back to life after a car accident. Moral of the story? If your abusive, shitty boyfriend cheats on you – break up with him and date a cheerleader.

May. One of the more underrated films on this list. May is socially awkward, still a bit traumatized from a childhood accident that left her with a glass eye. Fed up with her overwhelming loneliness, she tries to make friends, but it never goes right. Growing desperate, she decides to make new friends… literally. Piece by piece.

Jennifer’s Body. Did you really think I’d have a list like this and not include the most iconic film ever? Who do you think I am? A cheerleader becomes a succubus after being sacrificed to Satan by a generic emo band that thought she was a virgin. She survives by killing boys. On top of that, the soundtrack for this film is incredible and includes bops from bands like Panic! At The Disco and All Time Low.

That’s a wrap on this Women in Horror Month series! A HUGE thank you to Women in Horror Month for featuring me and to all the wonderful creators that contributed to celebrating the phenomenal women that dominate the horror scene.