Your Spooky Season Horror Movie Watchlist
Megan Fox in ‘Jennifer’s Body.’ image courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Spooky season is in full swing, which is convenient because sci-fi and horror seem to be the only genres we can enjoy without getting too stressed out about the state of the world these days. There tends to be a kind of comfort in traditional horror films, a certain satisfaction in seeing the expected tropes play out. But films that subvert your expectations are even more fun, and they’re often made by women who offer alternatives to the stereotypical roles of women in horror. If, like us, you’d like to suffer from insomnia during the entire month of October, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite horror films directed by women.
The Invitation
This is the first film we ever discussed on the podcast, and it’s a great introduction to how horror tropes can be bent and toyed with to tell new, terrifying stories that find fear in unlikely places. Karyn Kusama is the master of tension, and that makes the pay-off even more satisfying.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Babadook
Motherhood has never been more terrifying than in ‘The Babadook.’ Directed by Jennifer Kent, the film explores themes like depression and grief while still delivering some classic scares to keep you up at night. The fact that the Babadook somehow became a gay icon makes rewatching this film even better.
Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video, iTunes, etc.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Vampires are a Halloween staple, but don’t expect a classic Dracula in this film directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. Our titular Girl is a silent vigilante, watching over the desolate Bad City. More moody than scary, this film explores morality and loneliness, all shot in beautiful black and white. We delve into this film’s version of the vampire woman in the episode ‘The Bad Thing.’
Where to watch: Shudder / Rent on Prime Video, iTunes, etc.
Raw
This French film directed by Julia Ducournau follows a young girl who leaves home for college and develops a grisly hunger. Innocence, sexuality, body image, and society’s expectations of feminity are explored in this gory tale that speaks to how women’s bodies have historically been treated in the horror genre. Beware: Snacks don’t mix well with this one.
Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video, iTunes, etc.
American Psycho
This classic directed by Mary Harron explores the horrors that can hide under the veneer of beauty, money, and success. Its blend of black comedy and horror can leave you feeling uncomfortable, but at its heart, it’s a satirical take on the corporate era. While the book it’s based on was sometimes accused of misogyny, its commentary becomes more evident in the film adaptation.
Where to watch: Peacock / Rent on Prime Video, iTunes, etc.
Jennifer’s Body
This horror-comedy about teenage friendship and revenge on the patriarchy is the subject of our new episode this week! Another Karyn Kusama joint, this film was underappreciated when it came out, but it has since become a cult classic that rebels against the expectations we project onto young women’s bodies.
Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video, iTunes, etc.