March is Women’s History Month. The month long observance honoring the lives and work of women has its roots in “National Woman’s Day” in 1909 created by the Socialist Party of America. The push to establish International Women’s Day happened in 1910 in order to promote equal rights. From there it expanded to a week (in 1980 championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women’s History Alliance) and then, in 1987, a full month.
Today, honoring and praising women in horror still tends to be a controversial topic. Fans of horror that aren’t men are still experiencing sexism from their (lets be honest, predominantly white cis male) peers in fandom communities. The genre is still heavily run by male writers, directors, and more. While the Final Girl is a beloved horror trope, there are many that would prefer women remain either in designated roles that fuel their fap folder or would remain silent and invisible.
Therefore, I think its very important that we continue to loudly honor those minorities in the community during events like Women’s History Month (and Black History Month, and Pride Month, and more).
In this vein, I would like to share my 5 favorite movies directed by women. There’s a list with more than these five at the end for you to binge this month and beyond.
After Life (2009)
Following a terrible car crash, a woman awakes to find an enigmatic mortician preparing her for burial.
Directed by Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo and staring horror darling Christina Ricci.
This movie fed into my thanatophobia (fear of dying). I was so uncomfortable and questioning so much about this movie that even in the end I was still unsure – was she dead or not?
American Mary (2012)
A young medical student struggling to pay tuition is drawn into the shady world of underground body-modification.
Directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska, this is probably my favorite of the revenge horror genre. I also liken it as the “good for her” version of the movie Strangeland because of the hyper focus on body modification and the body mod subculture.
This movie is a favorite of mine because its a mash up of many of my favorite things – goth subculture, body modification, women being bad asses, Katherine Isabelle (a favorite actress of mine), and more. While the ending leaves much to be desired, the rest of the movie is so fun that I put up with it in my rewatches.
If you want more of the Soska Sisters and Katherine Isabelle, check out See No Evil 2 (its campy af but a fun time and you don’t need to see the first one to know what is going on). It also has the goofiest sex scene in horror history.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014)
In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.
Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, this unique take on the classic vampire is a rockabilly fever dream.
Many film reviewers and scholars have tackled this movie, most claiming it a look at feminism in both horror and through the lens of Iranian culture. I am a particular fan of Marisa Jones’ review on Medium:
“Though A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night appears, by all means, as an intentional critique of misogyny and gendered violence, this is not necessarily what Amirpour had in mind. The director has stated in an interview with Gawker that she didn’t go into the movie with the idea that it would be a feminist film — rather, she believes that “people tend to see themselves in films…you feel that because it’s stuff you have in you”. Though it may be surprising that the film wasn’t written through a feminist lens, that doesn’t necessarily take away it’s merit as a feminist movie…”
You can read the rest here.
Amirpour also wrote a book based on the movie if you wanna deep dive. For more by this director, check out Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2021).
Hellbender (2021)
A teen and her mother live simply in a home in the woods, spending their time making metal music. A chance encounter with a fellow teen causes her to uncover a connection between her family and witchcraft, which causes a rift with her mother.
Directed by Zelda Adams with her mom Toby Poser and dad John Adams. While this is a family directed (and starred) movie, I think it would be appropriate to list it with a specific nod to Zelda and Toby.
Hellbender is a unique take on the witch in horror movies. If you enjoyed the vibes of Gretel and Hansel but want a modern, eerie folk horror – this is the movie for you.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
IF YOU CAN’T MEET YOUR PERFECT BOYFRIEND…MAKE HIM.
In 1989, a misunderstood teenager has a high school crush — who just happens to be a handsome corpse! After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness…and a few missing body parts along the way.
Directorial debut of Zelda Williams, daughter of actor Robin Williams and written by Diablo Cody who also wrote the cult classic Jennifer’s Body (another horror directed by a woman, in this case, Karyn Kusama).
You can read my full review of Lisa Frankenstein here.
The List
Want more movies directed by women? Check out my list on Letterboxd.
