Feminist horror films subvert traditional genre tropes

Horror cinema has historically relied on patterns where women were often relegated to the role of victims. However, a growing number of films are subverting these tropes to explore themes of female identity, bodily autonomy, sexuality, and power dynamics.

According to selections by Harper’s Bazaar, notable films that offer a feminist perspective include ‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009), which reexamines the slasher genre and female sexuality, and ‘Revenge’ (2017), Coralie Fargeat’s directorial debut that focuses on the consequences of violence and transformation rather than the assault itself.

Other significant works include the queer feminist horror ‘The Mark of Lilith’ (1986), which engages with Laura Mulvey’s concept of the ‘male gaze,’ and ‘The First Omen’ (2024), which addresses religious control and bodily autonomy through a new lens on a classic franchise.