PicoBlog

I am a consumer of horror films at all times of year, but there is something special about consuming horror leading up to Halloween, and I’m sure some of you feel the same way! So I wanted to recommend some of my favourite horror films with female leads for all my fellow horror girls out there who are looking for some films to watch this season. 

Before we get started into the horror films in the main list I want to quickly go through a rapid fire of some honourable mentions. Just because there are plenty of fantastic horror films with female leads that I could talk about but some I feel are just so popular that I don’t think anyone needs to hear me recommend them Jennifer’s Body for the millionth time. So without further ado here are my honourable mentions, that are films I love, but I’m sure you’ve all heard of them.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: 

Hereditary, Midsommar, The Witch, Jennifer’s Body, Black Swan, Rosemary’s Baby, and Pearl.

Okay, now onto our main list. This list consists of my favourite horror films with female leads that I feel are underrated in some way, or slightly more niche. Now, to be clear my definition of a good horror film isn’t always the films I find the most frightening and certainly not the films with the most jump scares. Whilst I do enjoy films that utterly terrify me (and there are a couple mentioned) I do also adore films that explore horror themes in more subtle ways.

Valerie and her Week of Wonders (1970)

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is a 1970 Czech New Wave, surrealist fantasy horror film, based on a 1935 novel of the same name. The film portrays the protagonist Valerie as if living in a disorienting dream. Valerie is a teen living with her grandmother, and is blossoming into womanhood. Strange occurrences begin to happen once Valerie finds and puts on a pair of magical earrings. Now seeing the world in a new light, Valerie must endure her sexual awakening while attempting to discern reality from fantasy. 

This is one of my favourite films of all time, and no stranger to the Final Girl community as my video essay The Horror of Girlhood dives into the intricacies of this film. This film is not particularly frightening at face value though it blends elements of the fantasy and gothic horror film genre, creating a beautiful feast of a film. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most visually beautiful films I have ever seen in my life, accompanied by a truly unique and captivating story. I have re-watched this film several times over the years because I just can’t get enough of it, and every time I watch it I am left feeling newly inspired. 

Suspiria (1977)

Suspiria is an Italian supernatural/horror film released in 1977. American ballerina Suzy travels to Germany to attend a prestigious ballet school. When she arrives on a late stormy night, no one lets her into the building, and she sees a fellow student fleeing from the school. The next day, Suzy is admitted into the school, though she has a difficult time settling in. She hears noises, and often feels ill. Suzy senses that something horribly evil lurks within the walls of the age-old institution. 

I contemplated whether or not this should have been on my honourable mentions list, because it is such an iconic horror film, and I feel as though everyone has heard of it. However I feel as though people have heard of it, not many people have watched it. Especially with the remake that was released in 2018, I think many people opt to watch the remake instead. But I am here to be the annoying film-buff telling you to watch the original! 

It’s not the scariest film I’ve ever seen by any means, but it is stunning. If you are a sucker for beautiful set design and lighting, as I am, this is the horror film for you! When I first watched this film, I was legitimately screaming, not because I was scared, but because of how beautiful every frame was. I must stress how stunning the lighting was in this film. I also have to mention that the sound design was also incredible. Sound and music have been key players in the horror genre since its conception but I feel as though the way in which music is used in this film is very unique. There is a specific song that begins to play when the killer is near, and so it just creates suspense in your bones because you know something is going to happen. I’m not sure if this film was the first to do that in this specific way, but it was genius.  Probably one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen. 

Ginger Snaps (2000)

Ginger Snaps is a teen Horror/Fantasy film from the year 2000. The film follows two outcast sisters, Ginger and Brigitte Fitzgerald. The town grows fearful of a mysterious deadly creature that seems to be mauling dogs in the middle of the night. One night when Ginger and Brigitte are out, Ginger gets her first period. The scent of blood attracts the creature, and Ginger is bitten but the sisters manage to escape. After this night Ginger begins a strange transformation. Her wounds heal quickly, she grows hair from her scars, she begins behaving more aggressively, and sprouts a tail. She is revealed to be transforming into a werewolf. 

The film is often cited as “The Original Jennifer’s Body” and I have an entire video highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. I love this film as it intricately explores the horror of puberty for girls. Ginger Snaps is about transformation. Her transformation into a werewolf being an allegory for puberty and the transformation from girlhood to womanhood as her reality rapidly changes. The sudden sexual and aggressive urges, the presence of blood now being apart of her daily routine, the sprouting of hair in new places, her body changing, people looking at her differently. She is, as if overnight, now sexualized and desired by those around her. And she is aware of this new sexual power and utilizes it to her advantage. 

The dialogue is packed with quotable, witty, one liners. The late 90s fashion is immaculate. And my personal favourite scene is the attempted werewolf exorcism by piercing Ginger’s bellybutton with a silver ring. I think this film is essential viewing for teen girls who are into horror, and I wish I would have watched it as a teen, but even if you’re older it’s still a very enjoyable watch. 

The Love Witch (2015)

The Love Witch is a 2016 horror/comedy, written, edited, directed, produced, and scored by Anna Biller. The film follows Elaine Parks, a beautiful modern day witch who uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, before picking men to seduce with her powers. Though her attempts lead to disastrous results. Her desperation to love and be loved drives her insanity and murder.

This was another film I wasn’t sure if should be on the honourable mentions list or not. Because I feel as though this is a film that many people I know have seen and watched, but I’m not sure if that’s because myself and many of the people I know were raised by Tumblr, and let me tell you when this film came out in 2016 it was all over Tumblr, people were obsessed and it’s easy to see why. But I decided to include it, because I feel like if you weren’t on Tumblr in 2016, you maybe haven't heard about/seen this film?

I rewatched this film last week and it remains as humorous and captivating as ever. The Love Witch is stunning as it perfectly captures that beautiful 60s/70s horror aesthetic. I have never seen a film that so perfectly replicates the aesthetic of a film from the 70s. The costumes, set design, acting, dialogue is all so brilliantly done and stunning. Samantha Robinson who plays Elaine is so enchanting and captivating in this role. And the fact that it was written and directed by a woman honestly just gives it such a much needed refreshing and unique tone to other horror/comedies. I am so obsessed with Anna Biller, and I am so excited to see what she does next. Her next film is supposed to be an adaptation of the Bluebeard fairytale, which I am very much looking forward to. 

Audition (1999)

Audition follows a widower, who accepts his friend's invitation to audition girls in order to search for his new wife. However, the girl he likes does not appear to be who she claims to be. 

All my female manipulators out there, this one's for you. This movie fucked me up. Of all the films on this list, aside from the honourable mentions, this film is definitely the most disturbing. It’s a bit slower paced at the beginning, and makes you question if you’re even watching a horror film, though the pace very rapidly picks up, suddenly taking you down an unsettling labyrinth. Ari Aster said in one interview that Audition inspired one particular scene in Hereditary (if you watch both it will be easy to pick up on which one it is). Additionally, Petra Collins added a nod to this film in Olivia Rodrigo’s music video for Good 4 U. By far one of the horror films that has stuck with me the most since viewing.

Possession (1981)

Possession is a psychological horror drama film that follows the crumbling relationship between an international spy and his wife, who begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behaviour after asking for a divorce.

I’m sure by now you’ve all seen clips or stills from this film of Isabelle Adjani as Anna having a breakdown in the subway station, or bleeding from her mouth in the street, likely accompanied by text written by teenage girls stating “she’s just like me”. I believe that’s how I was initially introduced to the film. Beyond just those scenes that have found cult status online, Isabelle’s performance proves to be incredible in this film, as she completely looses herself in this role. I was finally able to watch it for the first time recently and found myself entranced by the film’s dichotomous musings. The film repeatedly explores concepts in polarities, love and hate, good and evil, war and peace, God as saviour vs God as disease, etc. I additionally watched the documentary The Other Side of the Wall - The Making of Possession which provided interesting insights on the motivations and musings of director Andrzej Zulawski that led to the creation of the film. I was excited for a long time to watch this film, and it lived up to my expectations!

Helter Skelter is an adaption of the psychological horror manga by the same name. Top model Lilico undergoes multiple cosmetic surgeries to her entire body to achieve aesthetic perfection. As her surgeries begin to show side effects, this marks the beginning of her downfall.

Another film that is no stranger to the Final Girl community! But I have to include it of course, as it is one of my favourite films in general. I adore this film, as I believe no other film I watched illustrates the fleeting nature of beauty under capitalism, and the way in which ones obsession with beauty comes at the price of ones sanity. We the audience bear witness to Lilico as her obsession with beauty leads her to spiral. Not to mention the set design and overall aesthetic of this film is absolutely to die for.

House is a Japanese experimental horror comedy. The film follows a school girl and her six friends as they take a trip to her aunts country home. Though things quickly grow strange as the girls are faced with a series of supernatural events.

This is one of the most unique films I have had the pleasure of watching. Incredibly unique and entertaining. This film is incredibly camp and fun in its depiction of horrific events. I adore films that take editing risks, and House is filled to the brim with experimental editing.

So that concludes my list for now! There are so many female-led horror films that I have yet to see and am excited to watch. I have so many interesting horror films with female leads I am planning on watching in the coming month. You can follow my letterboxd if you’re interested in seeing my watchlist, or to be updated on the movies I’m watching as I watch them. If you have any of your own recommendations please leave them down below because I am always looking for new films to watch and talk about, especially horror films. And if you have seen any of the films on this list, I would love to hear your thoughts!

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