I Scream, You Scream: The Evolution of Women in Horror
By: Cassie Carey
Tags: Opinion, Horror, Scream Queens, Film, Feminism

I Scream, You Scream: The Evolution of Women in Horror

More often than not, female horror characters are much more likely to be victims at the hands of a monster as opposed to their male counterparts.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the “scream queen” image? Is it Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) kicking ass in the Halloween franchise? Or, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) bursting audience’s eardrums in Psycho? Either way, you’re not wrong. Both versions are crucial to the evolution and eventual revolution of the trope.

Salem’s Lasting Impact

Photo: A24

A UC Berkeley professor by the name of Carol J. Clover published a horror and cultural critique called Men, Women, and Chainsaws. In it, she wrote:

The functions of monster and hero are far more frequently represented by males and the function of victim far more garishly by females.

Many agree that the root of this choice has mostly to do with virginity. Sex or no sex, pleasure equals sin in the world of horror. I believe this image stems all the way back to the Salem witch trials. It could be past-life related; something within us that recalls our own ancestors’ convictions. Or, an inherent curiosity about the bewildering truth of mankind’s past.

This may be a far-fetched theory, but I’m going to run with it anyway. Women have always been seen as otherworldly beings; simply for the reason of having the ability to produce life. A biological mystery viewed as beautiful to some, but frightening to others. I truly think this theory translates heavily into horror cinema. Deep down, we all trust that the reason women can be recognized and devoured by monsters is that they, themselves, must be monsters, too. However, if this really is the interpretation of women, then it also holds true that they are the only ones capable of preventing an unearthly force from taking over the world. Hence, fighting fire with fire.

“Not in my movie!”

Left Photo: Compass International Pictures│Right Photo: Universal Pictures

Many believe that French stage actress Paula Maxa was the first to depict the “scream queen.” Blood, guts, and all! Yet, instead of being referred to as such, she was labeled as “the world’s most assassinated woman.” Both on stage and in film, her roles truly set the standard for women’s roles in horror as damsels in distress for many years. That is until slashers entered the scene with Black Christmas and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1974. This subgenre altered the trope from women just screaming bloody murder to straight-up torture porn.

If you take a moment to think about what was happening back in the 1970s, you’ll come to realize it was during the midst of the women’s liberation movement. There is an obvious pattern in history where every time women began to be strongly liberated in some form or fashion, there was an even stronger backlash from society. For example, the start of the mid-century saw women entering the workforce to keep the country afloat during World War II. Whereas, the end of the war brought many directly back into the kitchen (both metaphorically and literally.) Nevertheless, for every 1950s, there is a 1960s. For every 1970s and 1980s…there is a 1990s. Enter the heroine.

As far as I can tell, Scream was the first to popularize the trend of women fully taking charge of their own destiny and then slaughtering the main antagonist during the third and final act. The film began as a typical slasher wherein Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) is tortured relentlessly for fun. Although, in this particular film, it turns out to be just a warning; a potential foreshadowing if the real protagonist, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), doesn’t use her wits and tread lightly. It’s clear from the get-go that she needs to break “scream queen” rules in order to survive.

Since then, many horror films have changed dramatically from superficial torture to nuanced depictions of women in turmoil. A perfect representation is Laurie Strode and how she dramatically transforms from slay-ee in 1978 to slayer in 2018. Now, what about the future? I think women’s progression as “scream queens” will no longer require being in front of the camera to be a candidate for the title. Female filmmakers have and will continue to rise from the grave and sink their teeth into the horror genre.