I’m not here, as a man, to endorse the poor treatment of women, only to scan over how it does form a strong source of some horror stories. These 5 films might just fit into that category, but these women fight right back – with knives, razor-sharp wire, guns, but also with their courage, strong-will, and a ravenous taste for pure revenge.
What Happened to Monday (2017)
The bad: A directorial mess, convenient (re: lazy) writing, exquisite premise left sorely unexplored, Close looks bored, Dafoe is barely in it, the hook promises one thing but the movie itself delivers something all together different. Don’t fall for it like I did – if you’re expecting a meaty exploration of a dark, futuristic possibility, you won’t get it. Instead, you’ll be served an action movie as generic as the size of its many, many plot-holes. The good: If you can ignore all of the above, it’s not a bad action movie. Average, with some intensely boring and unnecessary scenes being balanced by decent kicking-ass bleakness — and Rapace nailing 4 out of the 7 characters she plays. Bottom line: If you are fully aware of what you’re about to see (instead of what you’d hope for), do it. It’s not going to make you a better person for having watched it but, eh, it’s a passable time-waster so, sure, by all means. – – – The Greek
Bedevilled (2010)
For those of us outside of South Korea, the poster and the literal translation of the movie Bedevilled doesn’t so much give away the film’s climax, but rather sets a different scene as you go into it. Regardless, nothing changes the sheer excellence of this picture, Jang Cheol-soo’s first feature as director, in all its harrowing, upsetting progress. Two old friends are reunited, one from the big city, the other in an abusive rural community. As friends there is a bitterness, and lost companionship, but in their own individual lives a huge gulf and longing to escape. But this comes with a bloody price, and even amidst the violent backlash, you carry a strong bond with Bok-nam as she lashes her way to potential liberation – the devastatingly good turn from Seo Young-hee only fuels your support.
The Skin I Live In (2011)
One of Pedro Almodóvar’s darkest tales, and perhaps the closest he has got to the horror genre. The Skin I Live In has career high performances from the likes of Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, and Marisa Paredes, in a retelling of sorts of the man creates woman and pays the price as woman inherits the world story. Well, I said sort of. While pretty brutal and raw in its execution, the picture is so tranquil and under-stated it becomes more skin-crawling than many horror films that rely on screams and monsters. Watch it with Ex Machina, and then debate until the sun comes up.
Audition (1999)
Audition comes in two parts that I took away with me having experienced this Japanese horror film. The plot centers around a man decides to stage auditions with many women in an attempt to perhaps find a new wife, and that’s the majority of the film. What really establishes itself well through pacing and intrigue, Audition takes a rather shocking turn when the widower meets Asami. Sure, love could be in the air for him here, but there’s a whole lot more to this than what the eye of the beholder sets upon, regardless of what your heart tells you. I’d day be prepared for how this evolves, but I am not certain how you possibly could.
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
Once upon a time know as Day of the Woman, the 1978 rape-revenge horror I Spit on Your Grave, whatever many would say of its horrific violence and treatment to women, carries a very strong message. The film was banned for obvious reasons, and hated by many, as our protagonist Jennifer is gang raped by four men, leaving her mutilated and near-dead. The ultimate retribution in such a brutal discourse is that she tracks down these bastards and inflicts on them their own painful end one at a time. The dreadful remake in 2010, not only misses the boat in place of torture porn but will never garner the cult reputation of the original.
What are you views on the vengeful women chunk of the horror genre? Comments welcome below.