Despite women being fans of the horror genre, they don't often see themselves represented well, if it at all, and female directors have helped to change that. In fact, female directors have created some truly game-changing work within the genre, crafting the sort of films that will stay with the audiences in their nightmares and their thoughts. Even though female directors are not as prevalent in the horror genre, they've directed more films than people think.
Horror films directed by women are popular, like Raw, but some are considered better than others. Women horror directors, however, prove that they can bring the scares just as hard, maybe even a little more disturbing, than their male counterparts.
Pet Sematary (1989) - Mary Lambert - 6.6
The original adaptation of Stephen King's novel follows Louis Creed, who learns of an ancient burial grounds in the woods behind his new home. He buries the family cat there when it's hit by a car, which seemingly comes back to life, though more aggressive. After an unfortunate tragedy, Louis buries his young son Gage, who comes back as something horrifying.
Church, making it one of the best films featuring cats. Fans love how the story was adapted, and consider the message it poses, "Sometimes dead is better" to be intriguing. They find the practical special effects better than the CGI-reliant ones from the 2019 remake. It's considered by many to be one of the scariest movies ever made.
Titane (2021) Julia Ducournau - 6.7
Titane follows a young woman named Alexia, who after a car accident in her youth, has a titanium plate fitted into her head. As an adult, she works as a sexed-up model at a motor show in order to feed her serial killer habit. She's also exclusively attracted to cars. The film only gets more bizarre from there.
With such an outrageous premise, it's not surprising to see Titane's one of the lowest-rated on this list. Fans love it for its extreme nature, praising star Agatha Rousselle. Many appreciate the explicit and messed-up nature of the film, calling it delightfully disturbing. Though many viewers love it, it's considered one of the weirdest films ever made and is not for everyone.
The Last Supper, Stacy Title - 6.8
Starring many not-yet-famous actors, like Cameron Diaz, The Last Supper sees a group of idealistic yet frustrated liberals who invite conservatives to a dinner party. There, they can murder them for their political beliefs, believing their actions will help make the world a better place.
Fans praise this dark satire for its extreme look at how political differences are handled. Insulting both sides of the spectrum, the film poses interesting—if not extreme—moral questions. Despite its good reviews, many dislike The Last Supper, calling it dull. Some reviewers miss the point of the film entirely, believing it to be an attack on conservatives.
The Babadook, Jennifer Kent - 6.8
Jennifer Kent's directorial debut is about single mother Amelia, who raises her young son Samuel alone after her husband is tragically killed while driving her to the hospital to give birth. Having never dealt with the loss, both struggle with their issues. When an eerie children's book called "Mr. Babadook" manifests in their home, the two become paranoid that the monster may be real.
The Babadook quickly became a beloved film, as it deals with more psychological horror rather than supernatural scares. The oppressive atmosphere of the film leaves the audience as paranoid as its leads. Despite its praise, some believe the move ends up faltering in its third act. Still, the criticism hasn't stopped The Babadook from being considered one of the most iconic villains of the 21st century.
Ravenous, Antonia Bird - 7.0
This horror Western takes place in a remote military outpost in the 19th century. Captain John Boyd and his regiment embark on a rescue mission that takes a dark turn when they're ambushed by a sadistic cannibal.
Many noted the tonal changes throughout Ravenous, as it tried fitting into many different genres. While it's not the best film ever made, the movie doesn't go the way that audiences believe it will. It's ambiguous as to whether the cannibal character has eaten anyone and poses the question of whether the average person could resort to cannibalism to survive. It's a darkly comic, weird Western film for horror fans looking to watch something different.
The Hitch-Hiker, Ida Lupino - 7.0
The Hitch-Hiker follows two fishermen who picked up an escaped convict, who tells them that he plans to kill them when the ride is over. It's a fictionalized version of Billy Cook's murder spree, which began in December of 1950, according to Life. It was the first American mainstream noir film directed by a woman.
Audiences love the deceptively simple premise that didn't need a huge budget to milk the tension of the situation, especially with Lupino's direction. The film definitely captures the ratcheting fear over the situation, moving like a ticking clock. The Library of Congress reports that in 1998, The Hitch-Hiker was elected for preservation in the United States film registry for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Ana Lily Amirpour - 7.0
The first of its kind, this Iranian vampire Western takes place in ghost-town Bad City, a place of death and loneliness, whose residents are unaware they're being stalked by a lonesome vampire.
Some audiences felt that A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night had a bit of disconnect due to being set in Iran yet filmed in California. Many praise how unique it is with a plot that feels like it could really go any direction. The acting is minimalistic but enough to keep moving forward. The title character, known only as "The Girl", only kills men who harm women, which gives a feminist feel to the film. For vampire fans looking for something different, the movie will deliver on that front.
Raw, Julia Ducournau - 7.0
Another Ducournau film, Raw is about veterinary student Justine, who, after being forced to eat raw meat during a hazing ritual, begins to crave human flesh. Helped by her sister and fellow student Alexia, she slowly comes to with her new desires.
Audiences consider it a dark coming-of-age story, with Justine experiencing a unique sexual awakening. Disturbing without relying on a large body count, Raw instead focuses on Justine attempting to hide her true nature. The film ends on a shocking note and is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, people at midnight showings in Toronto fainted during certain scenes, according to one of the most underrated teen movies of the last few years, and worth watching at least once.
Near Dark, Kathryn Bigelow - 7.0
Near Dark. The film follows a small-town farmer's son who reluctantly s a traveling group of vampires after being bitten by a beautiful drifter.
Near Dark is unlike a lot of vampire movies by giving their vampires a lot of human pathos and desire, despite their craving for blood. With minimal lore, a lot of the horror from the movie comes from the humanity of the vampires and what they are driven to do. The violence is artistic, the story is fantastic, and it ends up being the sort of movie that will stay with audiences after the credits roll.
American Psycho, Mary Harron - 7.6
Based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name, American Psycho is about Patrick Bateman, a young New York City investment banker who is secretly a serial killer. He hides his alter ego from friends and co-workers while delving deeper into his violent fantasies.
Patrick Bateman is one of Christian Bale's most well-known roles, and audiences praise his performance as the yuppie banker. It's a cult classic psychological thriller and satire of Wall Street businessmen and their lifestyles, especially during the 1980s. American Psycho is perfect for fans who want a darkly comic horror satire.
