Horror has always been a genre that allows creative people to explore all sorts of topics, no matter how potentially taboo they may be. While the genre has a history of relegating women to eye candy roles or the stereotypical last girl, in recent decades it has begun to change to give women more, better roles that allow them to showcase their talents. Representation in horror has never been as big as it is now.
The female leads in the films below have become some of the most iconic characters in the horror genre, quickly becoming fan favorites thanks to their excellent writing and fantastic performances. Composed of both heroes and villains, the following films feature female characters who embark on a journey of both positive and negative trajectories, discovering their true nature and exactly what it takes to survive and thrive.
Spoilers follow for these films.
1 Evil Dead (2013)
Reboot of the legendary horror franchise. Evil Dead leaves beloved hero Ash Williams behind to focus on a new set of characters instead. After Mia (Jane Levyfriends and family decide they’ve had enough of her drug addiction and take her to a remote cabin in the woods to get rid of her. This Evil Deadhowever, so of course the evil of the Necronomicon will be released soon.
Mia’s role in the story is constantly changing, she plays both hero and villain. After becoming possessed by Deadite and seeing her friends die, Mia frees herself from the grip of evil and becomes a chainsaw-wielding tough girl. By thrusting a power tool down the throat of the final boss, Mia has cemented her place as one of the best final girls of the 21st century.
2 “Happy Death Day” (2017)
Recent hit in the genre, happy death day is a great combination of horror and comedy. College Girl Wood (Jessica Roth) is targeted by a Cupid-masked assassin, and after being killed by her stalker, she starts the day again trapped in a time loop until she can expose whoever wishes her harm.
Starting as an unkind and self-absorbed person, Tree experiences real growth in character as she gets killed over and over again. The unique concept allows both the screenwriter and the director Christoper Landon and Rothe to really invest in the character, and by the end of the movie, the audience can’t help but smile at how far Tree has come.
3 “You’re Next” (2013)
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Somehow, having dinner with a large family just got more terrifying, You are next discovers that the family meeting is interrupted by three masked assassins. Erin (Sharni Vinson), partner of Crispian’s son (AJ Bowen), takes charge of the situation by demonstrating extraordinary survival skills while fighting off intruders at home.
Almost works like a horror Alone at home, You are next includes many creative kills, as both the killers and their victims are killed. Erin shines as the film’s best character to date, and her ability to instill fear in those who wish to harm her makes her one of the genre’s most inspiring and badass protagonists.
4 “Ready or Not” (2019)
By marrying her loving boyfriend Grace (Samara weaving) is soon introduced to his family’s strange wedding ritual. He sees the members of her new extended family stalking her through their mansion, each armed with deadly weapons, bent on killing her. Saying that she will win if she hides until dawn, Grace soon changes the game with her pursuers.
A hilarious horror comedy that will make you laugh and wince, Ready or Not underpinned by a stellar twist from Weaving. The film perfectly captures the awkwardness of spending time with her in-laws, and as Grace fends off each one of them, she earns a place in the hearts of horror fans with her unbending spirit.
5 ‘Witch’ (2015)
Debut of famous director Robert Eggers, Witch follows a family in New England in the 17th century. With the clan banished to live on the edge of the forest after a dispute with the community, teenage daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) begins to suspect that evil forces may be after her family after a series of strange incidents.
slow horror movie Witch deals with the study of horror themes as well as religion. Trapped on a small farm with nothing but her family, Thomasin turns to the satanic forces that lurk in the darkness as a way to truly express herself and finally fulfill her deepest desires.
Watch on HBO Max
6 ‘Pearl’ (2022)
A prequel to their previous collaboration, Ti WestX Pearl sees Mia Goth reprising her role as the villainess from the original film as she explores her origins as a young farm girl. Pearl is obsessed with fame and dreams of leaving her boring life behind to become a traveling entertainer and will kill anyone foolish enough to stand in her way.
Bye X slasher movie, Pearl it is more of a character study as it showcases Pearl’s humiliating mental state as her dream slips away. Goth is a performance for the ages, deserving of greater recognition from award-giving bodies, sparking conversations about how the horror genre is treated within such organizations.
7 ‘Midsummer’ (2019)
Ari Astersequel to his debut hit Hereditary, midsommar stars Florence Pugh as Dani, a college student mourning the death of her family. Reluctantly invited by her bum and his friends to join them on a trip to Sweden, they soon become part of a strange local ritual with deadly consequences.
Perhaps the most typical “good for her” horror movie, midsommar sees Dani going through hardships emotionally before being chosen as the May Queen of the tribe. Deprived of her cheating partner and his unkind friends, Dani moves from grief and horror to acceptance and happiness as Pugh puts on an award-winning performance.
Watch on Showtime
8 “The Invisible Man” (2020)
A modern take on a classic horror story. Invisible Man follows Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) who dumps her abusive millionaire boyfriend. After he commits suicide, Cecilia begins to suspect that he is still torturing her as an unseen presence begins wreaking havoc on her life, causing those around her to question her sanity.
Invisible Man is a smart and tense thriller based on Moss’ excellent performance. Her Cecilia makes for a likable and resilient protagonist who still struggles to uncover the truth even as those closest to her lose faith. This sets up a satisfying arc as Cecilia transitions from victim to hardened survivor, ultimately choosing her own fate.
9 “Menu” (2022)
When Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) is invited on a date to an exclusive restaurant on a remote island, she expects a night of fine dining and an elegant atmosphere. Instead, Chef Slovik (Ralph Fiennes) exposes his wealthy guests to a night of terror as they begin to realize they can partake in the last meal of their lives.
Margo is a stranger in this world of wealth and snobbery, which Slovik quickly realizes. Both Taylor-Joy and Fiennes are great as they argue with each other over the legitimacy of Slovik’s plans, with Margot ultimately earning her freedom through her cunning and determination to stand up for herself, unlike the rest of the superficial visitors.
Watch on HBO Max
10 ‘Carrie’ (1976)
One of the first examples of a “good for her” horror film, Carrie follows the main character as she tries to deal with the horrors of high school. An outcast, Carrie is regularly bullied, and after discovering she has telekinetic powers, it all leads to a bloody climax at the school prom when she ends up getting revenge.
One of the best screenshots Stephen KingJob, Carrie shows a stellar performance from Sissy Spacek, which perfectly conveys the isolation of a loner at school. Carrie White remains one of the most popular horror characters, and her image, bloodied at a school dance, is one of the most iconic moments in cinema.
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Source: Collider
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