Women in Horror: Revenge of the Stereotype

We want WEIRD horror. We want women lead horror. And studios are delivering. 

Women have always been a crucial and integral part of any good horror film. Carrie (1976), Scream (1996), and Alien (1979) all come to mind when thinking of classic horror films that feature a female lead. Recently however women have been featured throughout horror movies in a new way. With the rise of women starring on the screen in horror as a heroine - even if she is a demented one -  rather than a cutaway gag or pair of boobs is an excited and refreshing trend throughout horror films that wasn’t necessarily expected. This trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon with horror movies like Nosferatu and The Substance being nominated multiple times at the most recent Oscars and films like Companion and Pearl quickly becoming cult classics. Horror fans have been hungry for a true female lead in horror, and directors and writers are delivering. 

Earlier this year audiences and critics alike were gifted with the release of Companion (2025) a horror/thriller/comedy starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid. The quick paced jam packed movie takes on a unique perspective and plays out through the perspective of our lead character, a futuristic sex-bot. 

Hunter Schafer also stepped out to star in the horror scene, in the cinematic thriller Cuckoo. The eerie and nordic atmosphere takes the thriller aspect up to nine, and a compelling and never before seen story keep audiences entertained even when suspense dies down. Warning: this one is WEIRD. If you enjoyed The Substance or Heretic this one’s for you.

If you have gone outside on or around Halloween since 2022, you have heard of the movie Pearl. The (now) trilogy starring Mia Goth is a twisted story of a crazed woman turned attempted actress, played by Mia Goth, and her subsequent doppelganger, also played by Goth. Pearl, her older sister XXX and her baby sister Maxxxine all star Goth as the titular character, and explore the intricacies of what it’s like to be an (insane) woman across a span of 60 years. 

If you like Hugh Grant or making fun of mormons, you’ll love the (year) movie Heretic. This weird and suspenseful horror follows two young mormon missionaries, Sophie Thatcher and insert actress name oops???, on their trials to salvation, and the possible conversion of a strange man. 

The Substance was arguably one of the most discussed movies of the 2024 Oscar and overall awards season, besides possibly Nosferatu, when it came to horror. The, to put it simply, fucked up body horror earned Demi Moore her first Emmy and made Margaret Qualley a household name (lesbians everywhere cheered.) 

In short; thank god for women and thank Sophie Thatchers agent for keeping her booked and busy. If you’re looking for more female horror to watch, The Ugly Stepsister, The Black Swan, and Midsommer all come to mind and deliciously horror filled movies with insanely talented female leads. Enjoy responsibly.