In honor of Women’s History Month, I wanted to dive into unsettling stories that unfold in women’s spaces– the spaces we feel should be safe. Horror has a way of creeping into spaces where women gather– our sororities, beauty salons, maternity wards, and even convents. These spaces should be our sanctuaries, but instead become a place of terror. Whether it’s a cursed hairstyle, a sorority stalker, or a nun fighting for her life, these films tap into fears unique to women’s experiences. In this streaming guide, we will explore horror films that not only take place in women’s spaces but also use them to tell stories of our vulnerability and, ultimately, our survival.
Suspiria (2018)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Where You Can Watch: Amazon Prime
“There’s more in that building than what you can see.”
Set in a ballet academy in East Berlin (or Italy if you’re watching Argento’s original from 1977), Suspiria introduces us to a world of dance and witches. The women in Luca Guadagnino’s film are passionate and dedicated to the art of dance. Yet, there is a coven of women that is manipulating and controlling everything within the academy walls, including making one of their new dancers a vessel. Whether you watch Guadagnino’s more modern take or Argento’s classic art piece (available to stream on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Plex), you’ll experience an intense expression of horror through sound and visuals.
Bad Hair (2020)
Directed by Justin Simien
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
“It’s just hair.”
Simien takes us back to the 90s with this dark comedy horror film about beauty standards within the Black community. It stars Elle Lorraine as Anna, a woman desperate to host her own show on Culture, a Black-led pop culture station. With tidbits of Black folklore sewn in, Bad Hair explores the nuances of Black beauty and acceptance. When Anna decides that she is willing to do whatever it takes to reach her hosting dream, she visits a beauty salon to get a weave. The hair stylist, Virgie, tells Anna that the hair is magic, but she doesn’t tell her that it belonged to witches. This movie is emotional, inspiring, funny, and oftentimes over-the-top ridiculous.
Black Christmas (1974)
Directed by Bob Clark
Where You Can Watch: Pluto, Tubi, Shudder, Pluto, Peacock, Kanopy, and Amazon Prime
“The calls are coming from inside the house!”
As one of my favorite Christmas horror movies, Black Christmas dives into various themes, from sisterhood to body autonomy. In the film, women in a sorority house find themselves the victims of a serial killer. The women receive lewd calls constantly, and when one of the girls goes missing, the sheriff goes to work to find the person responsible. The film that inspired many of our favorites, Black Christmas, introduces what we’ve come to love about slasher films. True to the season, the holiday lights and music put you in the mood for some hot cocoa and cuddles on the couch. With one of the most unforgettable endings, this one will make you think twice the next time you pick up the phone.
The First Omen (2024)
Directed by Arkasha Stevenson
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
“How do you control people who no longer believe? You create something to fear.”
The First Omen is a prequel to one of the most beloved horror franchises, The Omen (1976). In the film, we witness the beginnings of Margaret, the woman who would eventually give birth to Damien. Set in Rome, Margaret uncovers the truth of her existence and what is at play within the church. The visuals, the performances, and the sound all work together to create an eerie, transcendent experience within the religious world that Stevenson has created. I don’t think we can talk about The First Omen without talking about the reality of forced birth in our nation. It really hits home that we are at war and our bodies are the battlefield. Stevenson doesn’t hold back in this one; it is such a beautiful thing to witness.
The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
Directed by Amy Holden Jones
Where You Can Watch: Amazon Prime, Shudder, AMC+, Tubi, Plex, and Pluto
“You know how girls love to scream.”
This one is the most absurd of all the films on this list, but it fits the theme, so let’s just go with it. The Slumber Party Massacre is an ’80s slasher through and through. Some moments make you want to slap your forehead at the sheer stupidity. In the film, a serial killer with a power drill is on the loose. While a group of girls plan a slumber party, their friends are getting slain one by one. The guy is running around school with the drill out in the open. Only in the ’80s. The killer makes himself at home in this sleepy little town and wreaks havoc on this slumber party. This is a turn-your-brain-off type of movie. Just have fun with this one! It’s a vibe.
There are so many more films that could be added to this list. Hopefully, this guide will get you to check out a few more. Tag me on BlueSky and tell me which ones you’ll watch this week!
