Feminist Horror Films

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. The film follows the crew of the commercial towing spaceship Nostromo as they investigate a distress signal from an unexplored planet. After a dangerous encounter with a mysterious creature, the crew soon realize that their lives are in danger as the alien begins to hunt them one by one. With time running out and no hope for escape, the crew must find a way to defeat the creature and survive. Through a combination of suspense, horror, and thrilling action sequences, Alien has become a classic of the genre and one of the most influential films of all time.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver. The movie is a sequel to the 1979 film Alien, and follows Ellen Ripley as she returns to the planet where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature, this time accompanied by a unit of Colonial Marines. After a horrific encounter with the Alien Queen, Ripley, along with a few survivors, must find a way to escape the planet before the Aliens wipe them out. The movie is an intense and thrilling ride full of suspense, horror, and action. Aliens is considered to be one of the greatest action films of all time, and is a fan favorite.

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a horror film directed by Roman Polanski and released in 1968. The film follows the story of Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a pregnant woman who suspects that an evil cult wants to take her baby for use in their sinister rituals. Rosemary and her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes), move into a mysterious and notorious apartment building in New York City. Rosemary begins to experience strange events, vivid nightmares, and strange symptoms. As her pregnancy progresses, she becomes increasingly convinced that the cult is plotting against her and her unborn child. With the help of an elderly neighbor and her doctor, Rosemary discovers the terrible truth about her unborn child and must find a way to save it.

From Satoshi Kon, starring Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji, Masaaki Ôkura
Rated R

Perfect Blue is a 1997 Japanese animated psychological thriller directed by Satoshi Kon. The film follows the story of Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol who retires from her singing career and transitions into an acting career. As Mima struggles to adjust to her new life, she begins to experience strange occurrences, including a stalker and a website documenting her every move. Worried for her safety, Mima turns to her friends and manager, who help her confront her fears and gradually unravel the mystery behind the strange events. Through a series of thrilling twists and turns, the film examines themes of identity, paranoia, fame, and the dangers of the internet.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a slasher horror film written and directed by John Carpenter, and released in 1978. It tells the story of Michael Myers, a six-year-old boy who, on Halloween night in 1963, murders his older sister. Fifteen years later, he escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he stalks and terrorizes a group of teenage babysitters and their friends, while being pursued by his psychiatrist and a sheriff. The film is noted for its use of suspense and its unusual score, which was composed by Carpenter himself. It is widely regarded as a classic of the horror genre and is often credited with paving the way for the slasher boom of the 1980s.

From Roman Polanski, starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

Repulsion is a 1965 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Catherine Deneuve. Set in London, the film tells the story of Carol Ledoux, a Belgian immigrant and manicurist who begins to experience increasing psychological distress, leading to her ultimate descent into madness. After her older sister leaves her alone in the apartment they share, Carol's mental state begins to deteriorate as repressed feelings of guilt, paranoia, and sexuality haunt her. As the film progresses, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent as she is overwhelmed by her repressed emotions and the sense of loneliness and isolation. The film culminates in a disturbing and tragic conclusion, leaving the audience only to speculate about Carol's ultimate fate.

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell
Rated R

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a 2011 psychological thriller film directed by Lynne Ramsay, starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, and Jasper Newell. The film follows Eva (Swinton), a divorced mother dealing with the aftermath of a school massacre committed by her teenage son Kevin (Miller). As Eva struggles to come to terms with her son's horrific actions, she must also confront her feelings of guilt and anguish over Kevin's upbringing. Told in a series of flashbacks, the film examines the complex relationship between Eva and her son, and the events that led to the massacre. Through Eva's story, the film explores themes of motherhood, responsibility, and regret, as well as the effects of mass violence on society.

From J.A. Bayona, starring Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R

From Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund, John Saxon
Rated R

From Tobe Hooper, starring JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight
Rated PG

From Drew Goddard, starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz
Rated R

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton
Rated R

From Ana Lily Amirpour, starring Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnò
Rated Not Rated

From Jennifer Kent, starring Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney
Rated Not Rated

From John Fawcett, starring Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, Mimi Rogers
Rated Not Rated

From Gerard Johnstone, starring Morgana O'Reilly, Rima Te Wiata, Glen-Paul Waru, Ross Harper
Rated Not Rated

From Bernard Rose, starring Virginia Madsen, Xander Berkeley, Tony Todd, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

From Lucky McKee, starring Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, Anna Faris, James Duval
Rated R

From Nick Murphy, starring Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Lucy Cohu
Rated R

From Ti West, starring Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig
Rated R

From Directors: Jen Soska, Sylvia Soska, starring Katharine Isabelle, Antonio Cupo, Tristan Risk, David Lovgren
Rated R

From Leigh Janiak, starring Rose Leslie, Harry Treadaway, Ben Huber, Hanna Brown
Rated R

From Ti West, starring Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis, Alison Bartlett
Rated R