Summary

• Women directors bring bold and immersive visions to horror, pushing the genre's boundaries and inspiring others to follow.
• Films like American Psycho and The Babadook showcase the psychological depth and human narratives women directors bring to horror.
• Titane and Jennifer's Body demonstrate the versatility of women-directed horror, blending intense moments with humor and social commentary.

Women directors continue to deliver some of the best horror movies of the modern era, bringing their bold and daring artistic visions to the screen. These filmmakers possess a distinctive storytelling flair and a knack for creating immersive atmospheres that plunge audiences into the depths of their darkest and, at times, unknown fears. Their movies' subjects and unique visuals continually challenge and expand the very boundaries of what can terrify the human psyche, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and inspiring a diverse array of filmmakers who follow in their footsteps.

Their work spans a wide range, from darkly comedic explorations of the ruthless world of business culture, where the pursuit of success unveils its own horrifying consequences, to the examination of psychological fears lurking within the seemingly safe confines of one's home. These directors are unafraid to tackle diverse and intricate themes, and their films are not just journeys into fear but fully realized marvels of visual storytelling. There are many more great horror movies directed by women, but these eight exceptional works reinvent and redefine what instills fear in audiences in the modern age, proving the genre is as versatile and boundless as the creative minds that craft it.

8 American Psycho (2000)

Directed By Mary Harron

American Psycho is a darkly comedic exploration of business culture, seen through the peculiarly emotionless world of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale). By day, he is a success-driven executive, and by night, he transforms into a gruesome serial killer. The film is directed by Mary Harron and co-written with actress Guinevere Turner, who also appears in the film's infamous threesome scene opposite Bale, and it expertly blends horror with biting satire. Oddly joyous, American Psycho has an excellent soundtrack. What truly sets American Psycho apart is its psychological depth, as it immerses viewers in Bateman's comically cold point of view, posing terrifying questions about the hollowness of a success-driven world.

7 The Babadook (2014)

Directed By Jennifer Kent

The Babadook is a tightly woven, dramatically compelling elevated horror film that follows a widowed single mother whose son becomes convinced the terrifying character from his bedtime story is real. Jennifer Kent, in her feature-length film debut as a writer-director, masterfully creates something eerie yet profound, and completely absorbing. One of the the best horror movies directed by women from any time.

6 Titane (2021)

Directed By Julia Ducournau

Titane takes viewers on the surreal deceit-filled ride of a car-obsessed woman forced to go on the run. The film's plot intricacies are best left unspoiled, as they're as unbelievable as they are jaw-droppingly intense. Titane doesn't shy away from graphic and unsettling moments, either in its intense, one-of-a-kind gore or the fractured characters' grippingly uncomfortable interactions. Yet, it manages to unearth a sense of profundity that makes it worth the discomfort. It's not an easy watch, but that's precisely what makes it so compelling. Titane earned director Julia Ducournau the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, an accolade often considered the highest honor a film can receive.

5 Jennifer's Body (2009)

Directed By Karyn Kusama

Jennifer's Body is a campy, provocative high school cult classic that ingeniously blends elements of a feminist teen comedy and a batty, gruesome action horror film. The story follows the nerdy Anita, or "Needy" (Amanda Seyfried), as her life takes a horrific turn when her best friend, Jennifer (Megan Fox), is possessed by a demon with a taste for the flesh of their male classmates. Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, this film delivers clever, sharp-witted humor while dishing out scares and gore. Boasting a seemingly endless cache of quotable lines, an exceptional cast, and a generous dose of laughter, Jennifer's Body is a perfect horror comedy.

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4 Master (2022)

Directed By Mariama Diallo

Release Date: 2022-03-18

Director: Mariama Diallo

Runtime: 98 minutes

Genre: Drama, Horror

Regina Hall stars in Master as the first Black dean at an elite New England university who becomes suspicious of those around her when unexplainable phenomena unfold. The film also follows Jasmine, a Black first-year student assigned to stay in the same room where the school's first Black undergraduate took her own life almost 60 years earlier. Mariama Diallo's feature writer-director debut, released on Prime Video, delves into the isolating sensation of being othered in a setting where bigotry can be distressingly prevalent. Master is filled with profound quotes, and its thought-provoking narrative is shrouded in a chilling atmosphere, drawing inspiration from the eerie and enigmatic folklore of New England.

3 Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Directed By Halina Reijn

One of A24's best horror movies, the sidesplitting Bodies Bodies Bodies follows a group of friends trapped in a remote mansion when a hurricane causes a power outage, leading to a playful fake murder game that takes a dark turn. Directed by Dutch actress Halina Reijn, with a screenplay by acclaimed American playwright Sarah DeLappe, the film humorously explores the dynamics of this close-knit group as blame is assigned and friendships are tested. It's a sharp look at the selfish modern age, revealing the fine line between camaraderie and betrayal in life-or-death situations. Bodies Bodies Bodies creates an uncomfortably hilarious, tense atmosphere as each friends' suspicions escalate.

2 Saint Maud (2019)

Directed By Rose Glass

Saint Maud is a haunting exploration of the title character, a young, reclusive, and deeply religious nurse entrusted with the care of a dancer near death from cancer. Maud soon becomes consumed by an unwavering conviction that she alone possesses the power to rescue the dancer from eternal damnation. The film deftly melds psychological terror with visceral body horror, creating a stark and profoundly disquieting cinematic experience about loneliness and obsession. This film is the brainchild of English screenwriter and director Rose Glass, whose vision takes the audience on a rollercoaster of faith and despair.

1 Candyman (2021)

Directed By Nia DaCosta

With its adept intertwining of social commentary and spine-chilling horror, this sequel to the original Candyman and the fourth installment in the franchise overall proves the transformative power of visionary directors in reinvigorating beloved classics. Visually engrossing, the movie delves into the franchise's mythology to deliver deeper, more disturbing layers. Under the skilled direction of Nia DaCosta and co-written with Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld, the new Candyman unearths fresh layers of dread and suspense within the story.