With stand-out films such as Fresh, directed by Mimi Cave, and Titane directed by Julia Ducournau, the 2020s have been filled with excellent female-directed horror films. In a predominantly male-dominated genre, horror audiences are pleased to see a wider representation of female talents.
Female horror directors are nothing new, with the talents of women like Mary Harron (American Psycho), and Mary Lambert (the original Pet Semetary) paving the way early on. Now more than ever, women are receiving wide recognition and critical praise for their work in horror films. The 2010s were a decade where horror audiences began to see women truly dominate in the director's chair for this underrated genre.
Sea Fever (2019) - 3.0
Neasa Hardiman directs this Lovecraftian horror tale that follows a ship crew fighting for their lives against a mysterious parasite. The film is claustrophobic and not for anyone with Thalassophobia, which is a persistent fear of deep and open water. The terror is further elevated when watched in our COVID-affected world.
Sea Fever was praised for its central performances Hermione Corfield and Ardalan Esmaili. Hardiman does a great job at crafting a feature that is both terrifying and visually pleasing. Audiences loved the elevated horror experience that played with real and unrealistic fears. This film is perfect for anyone who loves a tense underwater horror film.
Honeymoon (2014) 3.1
Before she directed the Fear Street Trilogy, Leigh Janiak directed the sci-fi horror Honeymoon. The film follows a newlywed couple who decide to spend their post-wedding bliss in a secluded cabin. Since this is a horror film, the bliss quickly turns into a nightmare as Rose Leslie's central character, Bea, is found wandering in the woods at night.
Leigh Janiak crafts a horror that doesn't withdraw scares, but gets into the viewer's mind with a psychological terror. Fans loved the film for its mystery and ambiguity, leaving them trying to put the pieces together to understand any hidden meaning. Letterboxd users praise the film for being a different type of horror that audiences will not expect, but will leave them pleasantly surprised.
The Invitation (2015) 3.3
Karyn Kusama directs the slow-burn psychological horror, The Invitation. The film follows Will, played by Prometheus actor, Logan Marshall Greene, as he and his girlfriend attend a dinner at his ex-wife's home. From the get-go, audiences know they are in for a tension-filled horror experience that will not disappoint.
The Invitation tackles topics of trauma and paranoia in a way that audiences do not always get to see. While a slow burn, this film maintains an excellent pace until each shocking reveal. Fans praise the shocking ending and the film's ever-building tension. For horror audiences who prefer psychological scares, The Invitation is a must-add to any movie watchlist.
Goodnight Mommy (2014) 3.4
Veronika Franz co-directs this German horror film about young twin boys waiting for their mother to return from a cosmetic surgical procedure. Letterboxd users praise Goodnight Mommy for its eery atmosphere and nail-biting tension.
Alongside director Severin Fiala, Franz uses her talents to craft a creepy story with similar influences found in her more recent feature, The Lodge. For viewers who do not mind subtitles and appreciate a slow-burn film with satisfying reveals, Goodnight Mommy should be added to their watchlist. This film is the type of horror that gets under your skin and leaves a shiver down your spine with the final shot.
Revenge (2017) 3.5
Coralie Fargeat made her directorial feature debut in 2017 with Revenge. This brutal tale follows a young woman who is out for vengeance after a horrible act of violence. Fargeat takes a dark subject and uses motifs and symbolism to craft a shocking and satisfying film.
Viewers have compared her style to Quintin Tarantino with her use of excessive blood in certain sequences, but she is able to make stylistic choices in her direction that show audiences she is creating something new. Audiences praised Fargeat for directing not only an excellent horror film but a film with some of the best action sequences in decades. It has been a few years since her film's release, however, horror aficionados cannot wait to see what she does next.
Saint Maud (2019) 3.5
Another incredible debut, Rose Glass burst into the horror film scene when she directed Saint Maud. The religious horror tells the story of the titular Maud, an at-home care nurse who has a dark past. She believes it is her responsibility to save the soul of her patient Amanda, thus tension and terror ensues.
Saint Maud received a lot of praise for its atmosphere and out-of-the-box scares. Rose Glass crafts a film that is eery and thought-provoking. This movie does not rely on over-the-top violence or gore in order to terrify its audience, which only further speaks to Glass's talent in the director's chair. For anyone who loves a horror film with heavy religious themes, Saint Maud is definitely worth the time.
The Babadook (2014) 3.5
Jennifer Kent made herself a well-known name among horror fans with The Babadook. This film is a psychological horror drama that follows a widowed mother trying to process the horrible death of her husband. The Babadook takes a dark approach to tell a story of motherhood and grief.
The scares are perfectly timed, with the film making sure not to give too much away at first. The tension only adds to the effectiveness of the horror elements within the film. Kent's film leaves viewers pondering all the hidden meanings of the movie and its more ambiguous ending. Audiences are still actively discussing this movie and calling the iconic Babadook one of the greatest movie monsters of all time,
The Love Witch (2016) 3.6
A visual vintage treat, The Love Witch was a great surprise in 2016. Anna Biller directs this throwback-style film about a young witch with a knack for love spells and possibly murder.
Many Letterboxd users are obsessed with The Love Witch's aesthetic and ability to transport the audience to a classic film of the 1970s. Biller expertly uses classic old Hollywood style to make commentary on modern feminism and today's culture. Films like this are not made often, which sets The Love Witch apart as one of the most unique modern horror films.
Raw (2016) 3.7
Titane director Julia Ducournau came onto the horror scene with her directorial debut, Raw. Many remember this film for its realistic and graphic content. During its premiere at the Toronto Film festival, the paramedics were called not once but twice to help audience members who became physically ill.
Ducournau has certainly made a name for herself. While her movies are not for the squeamish, the director is praised for her boldness in filmmaking. Viewers were pleasantly surprised that a bloody film like Raw could also be an incredible coming-of-age tale. Julia Ducouranau showed audiences that women in horror need to be noticed.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) 3.7
This Persian flew under the radar upon its initial release but has since gained a following through its release on streaming platforms. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night was Ana Lily Amirpours's first feature film before she directed The Bad Batch.
The film takes a common trope of a woman being followed by a man at night and flips audience expectations. Viewers loved this fresh take on vampire horror that adds something other genre films have not done before. Audiences loved the slow, moody atmosphere filled with iconic music and sharp storytelling. Amirpour is definitely a name to continue to look out for when it comes to female-directed horror films.