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Women in Horror Month: Why Do We Love Horror?

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Women in Horror

In the horror community, the month of February is also known by another name: Women in Horror Month.

It’s a time to celebrate the women who have made a home for themselves in the horror genre. Directors, writers, actresses, editors, producers, characters, and all kinds of killer creators are given the bloody spotlight as a chance to appreciate their work in a field that is typically male-dominated.

Although horror is driven by phenomenal female roles – such as the iconic Final Girl – it’s commonly perceived as a male-oriented genre due to its violence and (often) overt sexuality. But the idea of “women in horror” is not a novelty concept. More and more, women are coming out on top as fervent fans of the horror genre.

Image result for black women in horror
28 Days Later

So why do women love horror so much? How did a genre that is traditionally targeted towards a male audience find such a strong female following?

It’s pretty simple, actually. We just get it.

Horror explores the worst-case scenario: the broken-down car in the middle of nowhere; the strange phone calls when you’re alone in the house; that guy you’re pretty sure is following you home; the sudden realization that you shouldn’t have put your trust in those strangers.

It’s a cathartic release that allows us to really identify with the heroes of the story. In horror, women can be made victims, but more often than not, they’re survivors too. 

Women in horror are badass. They crush, kill, and destroy the villains at every turn, and in some cases they’re extraordinarily competent villains themselves. They show strength and power in a time when we – as women – don’t often feel strong or powerful.

Image result for women in horror
Revenge (dir. Coralie Fargeat)

Also, let’s be honest, horror is basically the only genre in which female characters have real depth. Rom-coms are pandering fluff; action films are pumped full of macho flexing and women basically serve as a sex object or a prize to be won; and science fiction regularly boxes women out of lead roles, or women are put on an unreasonable pedestal.

In horror, women are real people with flaws, strengths, and character development that doesn’t revolve around ‘getting that relationship to work’.

We can see ourselves in these characters. We can connect with the brutal coming-of-rage tales of Raw, Carrie, and Ginger Snaps. We can relate to the turbulent friendships of Jennifer’s Body, The Descent, and The Craft; the anxieties of motherhood as shown through Rosemary’s Baby, Inside, and The Babadook; and the social pressures seen in Cam, American Mary, and M.F.A.

Horror has always had a place for women, and we’ve always had a soft spot for horror. Going back to photographer Diane Arbus, women have always had a fascination with the strange and unusual. We, ourselves, are strange and unusual.

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Trouble Every Day (dir. Claire Denis)

In short, horror is relatable. We can understand the trauma, the terror, the heart-tearing emotion. We see ourselves in these Final Girls, just as we were meant to.

And still, it’s more than that. Women love the thrills, the chills, and especially the kills. They’re cathartic and exciting. They push the norms of what is “ladylike” and decent. And we love that.

So as I sit here, writing this, in my Texas Chain Saw Massacre t-shirt, I’m reminded of the real reason that women love horror: because dammit, we’re people, too. And we’re allowed to be into this spooky madness just as much as anyone else.

Related:
Best Female-Focused Modern Horror Films Available for Streaming Right Now

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‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt

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Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.

In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.

The Strangers

This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.

The Strangers

Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.

“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”

The Strangers

The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”

The Strangers

The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.

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‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time

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It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?

It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.

Fede Alvarez and Ridley Scott

Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.

Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.

Great Movie Ride

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.

Alien Romulus
Alien (1979)

The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.

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Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween

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Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.

The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.

Home Depot Skeleton Prop

This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.

This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.

“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”

Home Depot Prop

But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.

This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.

Terror Dog Prop
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