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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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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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