Halloween movie marathon: girls gone wild
Hey, horror hottie.
Have you got your Halloween horror watch list sorted yet? If you haven’t, perhaps I could be so bold as to make some suggestions? I’m going to sling out five (slightly more unconventional) Halloween recs in which the girls, gays, and theys take centre stage.
If you’ve already seen these and rate them, hit reply and let me know. Nothing better than gushing over a horror fave, am I right?
Why not batch some of these sick watches into your own horror movie marathon, double, or triple bill? I thoroughly support binge-watching.
Claws out, bitches — let’s rip into this!
1. Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Let’s start with some fresh meat, shall we? Bodies Bodies Bodies is a 2022 comedy horror directed by Halina Reijn (she/her). Bee (Maria Bakalova) heads to a remote manor house to meet girlfriend Sophie’s (Amandla Stenberg) wealthy friendship group (which includes Lee Pace and Pete Davidson). As a hurricane sets in and all the lights go out, the group decides to amuse themselves with a ‘find-the-killer’ murder mystery game. Need I say more?
The reason we’re kicking things off here is how current the film feels. It makes fun of itself for being diverse, ‘woke’ and youthful…and it can because it’s undeniably good. There’s ample side-eye confidence in those jibes.
Once the drug and alcohol-fuelled paranoia begins to spiral, you get a glimpse into what a gaggle of chronically online, ‘main character energy’ Zoomers would do to ensure their own survival. This is bitchy gossip with a body count.
The dialogue is so good you won’t want to gab through it — there are some sick little one-liners tucked away that deserve your full attention. And the ending? Babe. You won’t see it coming.
2. Death Becomes Her (1992)
This is technically a black comedy, but why not throw a little wildcard into the mix? In honour of Sabrina Carpenter’s Taste music video, I present the 1992 film Death Becomes Her, directed by Robert Zemeckis (he/him) and starring Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, and Isabella Rossellini. I guess Bruce Willis is in it too (though hardly as iconic).
DBH is cunty, gory, and fun…from Isabella Rossellini’s effortlessly sultry, goddess-adjacent role, to Streep and Hawn fighting to the death over a guy.
On the one hand, it forces us to look at the lengths women will go to for love, pitting us against one another when we should probably direct our anger elsewhere. This is underpinned by the frantic, fraught, unwinnable battle to hold onto youth and the societal adoration and relevance it grants.
Death Becomes Her walked so The Substance could…girate? Explode? I dunno. Either way, they’d make a killer Halloween double-bill.
3. Hard Candy (2005)
David Slade (he/him) directed this divisive cult movie offering from 2005. After some coy internet chat, teenage Hayley (Elliot Page, credited as Ellen Page) is invited to a private photo shoot at photographer Jeff’s (Patrick Wilson) apartment. He thinks he has the upper hand…but he really doesn’t.
At the time of Hard Candy’s release, there was a lot of whining about some of the more unrealistic elements of this film, but, in my opinion, they’re minor and well worth suspending disbelief over. For its time, Hard Candy is smart and fresh, engaging you at every story beat by unfurling its layers super satisfyingly.
If you’re looking for a baby-girl-tricks-perve female revenge horror marathon, team Hard Candy with Saint Clare. Wanna take the surgical route? Team it with American Mary or Promising Young Woman.
4. The Company of Wolves (1984)
Full disclosure — The Company of Wolves is one of my favourite films of all time. That being said, its spot here is well deserved (despite my bias).
Based on a short story from Angela Carter’s anthology The Bloody Chamber, The Company of Wolves is a dark and dreamy retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, done through a feminist lens. It explores themes of virtue, naïveté, revenge, and why “sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth”.
Much like its younger sibling, Interview with the Vampire, The Company of Wolves is a glittering example of director Neil Jordan’s (he/him) lush, gothic style. It’s also simmering with sexual tension and taboo (which we love). Moreover, the special effects are mind-blowingly excellent — notably the short story starring Stephen Rea.
This is best watched on a rainy night, with a juicy glass of red in hand, surrounded by flickering candles! For a decadent double bill, follow it up with Interview with the Vampire.
5. Hauntology (2024)
When selecting a horror anthology from the video rack, you might be tempted to reach for an old faithful, like Trick ‘r Treat, The ABCs of Death, or V/H/S (and if you haven’t seen those, best sort yourself out!). But perhaps I can suggest something newer, funner, and gayer?
Hauntology is a new release directed by Parker Brennon (they/them) and it’s what I’d call a ‘pumpkin spiced scare’. When Jazmin (Samantha Russell) spots her younger sibling Venus (Jaidyn Triplett) trying to run away from home, she offers a deal — come on a mini road trip around town and listen to the ghost stories linked with each location. Each tale is connected to their family and proves that Venus does belong. If Venus still wants to leave after hearing all the stories, Jazmin won’t stand in the way.
The wonderful thing about Hauntology isn’t just the creepy vibe or the small-town charm (it’s giving ‘gay, ghostie Gilmore Girls’), but the diverse LGBTQIA+ stories. If you’re sick to the fangs of hollow virtue signalling or being beaten over the head—inelegantly—with LGBTQIA+ themes, Hauntology will feel like a balm on your spooky little soul.
The short stories feature a trans witch transforming into her true body but dealing with an enamoured deity afterwards, an artist claiming revenge on forgers from beyond the grave, and more. It also stars horror icon Nancy Kyes and The Love Witch’s Samantha Robinson. Because why the hell not?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hit reply to this email or share it with someone you think would dig it 🪦