When you think of great horror movie directors you think of John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Dario Argento, James Wan, and David Cronenberg. But some of the best and most interesting horror movies at the moment are directed by women and this list gives you a chance to discover them.
While women often play an important part on-screen throughout horror history, there hasn’t always been a huge amount of opportunities for female directors to shine behind the camera. These seven movies all offer something slightly different depending on what kind of horror movie you want to watch this Halloween. So put aside the classics, and the big Hollywood sequels and dig into these little-known genre gems directed by famous femme filmmakers.
The Babadook
Directed by Australian filmmaker, Jennifer Kent, The Babadook is a genuinely terrifying horror movie about a single mother and her son who believes that they are living with a monster. Still dealing with the traumatic death of her husband, Amelia initially dismisses her son’s concerns. However, a mysterious and unsettling presence makes itself known in the house, terrifying both mother and son. Kent has gone on to direct the 2018 movie The Nightingale and also directed an episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.
Saint Maud
The directorial debut of British filmmaker, Rose Glass sees her tackle the terror of religious fervor and obsession. Maud is a nurse at a Christian hospice trying to save the soul of a dying patient. But her fixation on the patient’s salvation becomes dangerous and disturbing. Fuelled by her own trauma Maud’s obsession leads to unforeseen terror. The movie was nominated for two BAFTA awards and Glass was recognized as Best Debut Director at the British Independent Film Awards.
Titane
Sitting firmly in the body horror genre, Julia Ducournau’s movie Titane is a non-stop thriller, psychological horror movie. The movie won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, confirming Ducournau as the first woman to win the award as a solo filmmaker. The movie focuses on Alexia, a young woman who has a titanium plate in her head and an irrepressible desire to kill. Expect the unexpected in this shocking and original movie. Filmmaker Julia Ducournau has also directed episodes of the M. Night Shyamalan TV show, Servant.
A Girl Walks Home At Night
This completely original horror movie is often dubbed ‘the first Iranian Vampire Western.’ The movie follows Sheila Vand, an irreverent vampire who stalks an Iranian city at night time preying on the men who disrespect women. The movie is directed by Ana Lily Amirpour who has also directed The Bad Batch, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, and an episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. A Girl Walks Home At Night premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and has taken on a cult status for its mashup of different styles.
Nanny
The directorial debut of American writer and filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu took home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022. Nanny follows Aisha, an undocumented migrant from Senegal living and working as a nanny in New York City. Aisha is intent on saving up enough money to bring her son over to America to start their life together. But a dark force emerges in both her dreams and waking life that is tied to the wealthy white couple she’s working for.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
This comedy horror movie is directed by Dutch filmmaker Halina Rejin. It follows a group of young friends who get stranded in a mansion during hurricane season. Between the party games, the false friends, and the dead body, nobody knows who to trust as it emerges that a killer is among them. The movie is a social satire that includes music from the likes of Kilo Kish, Shygirl, and Princess Nokia among others.
Candyman
This remake of the 1992 movie, Candyman is directed by Nia DaCosta who reimagines the movie with screenwriter Jordan Peele. The movie tells the story of a murderer with a hook for a hand that was thought to be just a tale told to frighten children. But when that story begins to unravel in real-life Chicago, artist Anthony McCoy grows obsessed. In his obsession he uncovers the real story but at an incredible personal cost. The movie saw DaCosta become the first Black female director to have a number one movie at the box office.
If you're looking for child-friendly films to watch this spooky season, check out our guide to the best movies to watch for kids this Halloween.