'Is Horror Sexist or Feminist?' ft. Diablo Cody & More | Eli Roth’s History of Horror

Summary

The speaker discusses the historical connection between women and horror, noting that women have been avid consumers of the genre since the gothic novel era. They argue that horror films can be empowering, featuring strong female protagonists and providing a space to explore fears and threats. The speaker also touches on the therapeutic aspect of horror for survivors of abuse, suggesting that these films can offer a form of justice and closure. The conversation concludes with the idea that horror acknowledges society's deep-seated fear of women's power.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Women have been significant consumers and creators in the horror genre, contrary to the notion that they are poorly portrayed in it.
• 📚 Historically, women were avid readers of gothic novels and were drawn to true crime, indicating a longstanding interest in horror.
• 👩‍💻 The author of 'Frankenstein', Mary Shelley, exemplifies women's contributions to the foundation of horror literature.
• 🦸‍♀️ Female protagonists like Nancy from 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' were seen as strong and empowering figures for many women.
• 🚫 In the 80s, there was a perception that women should not enjoy horror due to its supposed conflict with feminist ideals.
• 💪 Women's physical vulnerability in a male-dominated society is a reality that some find mirrored and explored in horror films.
• 😨 The appeal of horror for many women lies in its ability to provide a safe space to confront and process fears that are part of their everyday lives.
• 🌟 Horror can offer a form of catharsis for those who have experienced trauma, providing a sense of justice and closure that real life often fails to deliver.
• 🎬 The fantasy of overcoming threats in horror movies can be healing for survivors of abuse and violence.
• 🔥 Images of female empowerment, like the scene from 'Jennifer's Body', resonate with audiences and symbolize an invincible spirit.
• 👾 The horror genre has often been a platform to explore and express societal fears of women's power and monstrosity.

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the portrayal of women in horror compared to other genres?

The speaker believes that women have not been portrayed worse in horror than in other movie genres and that women have always been significant consumers and creators of horror content.

Why does the speaker think women were drawn to gothic novels and true crime?

The speaker suggests that women have historically been fascinated by true crime, violence, and horror, as evidenced by their interest in gothic novels and attendance at court trials.

Who wrote 'Frankenstein' and what does this say about women's involvement in horror?

'Frankenstein' was written by a woman, Mary Shelley, indicating that women have been integral to the creation and evolution of horror from its early days.

Why does the speaker find the character Nancy from 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' empowering?

Nancy is seen as a strong female protagonist, which the speaker found empowering growing up, challenging the notion that horror is only violent or sexist.

What did the speaker perceive about women's attitudes towards horror in the 1980s?

The speaker felt that in the 80s, women were afraid to express their enjoyment of horror due to a perceived conflict with feminist ideals.

How does the speaker relate the physical vulnerability of women to their interest in horror?

The speaker suggests that because women often feel physically vulnerable, they may be drawn to horror as a way to explore and confront those threats in a controlled environment.

What role does the speaker believe horror movies can play for survivors of abuse?

Horror movies can provide a form of closure and healing for survivors of abuse, offering a fantasy where justice is served in ways that real life often does not provide.

Why does the speaker think the image of the character from 'Jennifer's Body' is popular?

The image of the character flicking a lighter and holding her tongue on it from 'Jennifer's Body' is popular because it embodies an idea of being attractive and invincible.

What does the speaker find meaningful about the portrayal of women as monstrous in horror?

The speaker finds it meaningful that horror is one of the few genres that acknowledges and explores society's deep-seated fear of women and girls and their power.

How does the speaker view the role of horror in cultural representation of women?

The speaker sees horror as a genre that has the courage to confront and reflect on cultural fears and perceptions of women, making it profoundly meaningful.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Women's Complex Relationship with Horror

The speaker argues that women have not been uniquely mistreated in horror films compared to other genres, noting that women have historically been significant consumers of horror, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for gothic novels and true crime. They highlight that 'Frankenstein' was written by a woman, Mary Shelley, and that women have often been the heroes in horror stories, such as Nancy in 'A Nightmare On Elm Street'. The speaker suggests that the empowerment women feel from these narratives was misunderstood by some, like their mother, who saw horror as violent or sexist. They also touch on the idea that fear, a common part of women's lives, is a draw to the genre, allowing them to explore and confront threats. The discussion includes the therapeutic aspect of horror for survivors of abuse and the genre's unique acknowledgment of societal fear of women's power.

Keywords

💡Horror

Horror refers to a genre of fiction that aims to evoke fear, dread, and unease in its audience. In the context of the video, horror is not only a form of entertainment but also a medium through which women have historically engaged with themes of fear, power, and violence. The speaker mentions that women have been significant consumers of horror since the era of gothic novels and that horror films can be empowering, as they often feature strong female protagonists who confront and overcome threats.

💡Protagonists

A protagonist is the main character of a story who drives the narrative forward. The video discusses the importance of strong female protagonists in horror, such as Nancy from 'A Nightmare On Elm Street,' who are portrayed as heroes rather than victims. This challenges traditional gender roles and provides a sense of empowerment for female viewers who may identify with these characters.

💡Feminism

Feminism is a social and political movement that advocates for gender equality and challenges patriarchal norms. The script mentions that in the 80s, some women were afraid to express their enjoyment of horror due to a perceived conflict with feminist values. However, the speaker argues that horror can be a form of feminist expression, as it allows women to confront and explore their fears and the societal threats they face.

💡True Crime

True crime is a genre of storytelling that focuses on real-life criminal activities and legal proceedings. The video suggests that women have long been fascinated by true crime, which shares similarities with horror in its exploration of violence and the darker aspects of human nature. This interest is linked to the historical consumption of gothic novels and the modern-day popularity of true crime narratives among women.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment refers to the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. In the video, the speaker argues that horror films can be empowering for women by showcasing female characters who face and overcome threats, which can be a metaphor for women's real-life struggles against societal and physical dangers.

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats or danger. The video discusses how fear is a common aspect of women's lives, particularly in relation to physical safety. Horror films provide a space for women to explore and confront these fears in a controlled environment, which can be cathartic and healing.

💡Survivors

A survivor is someone who has endured a traumatic event, such as sexual abuse or violence. The script mentions that horror films can be particularly meaningful for survivors who may not have found closure or justice in their real lives. The genre offers a form of fantasy where justice is served and threats are overcome, which can provide a sense of resolution and healing.

💡Justice System

The justice system refers to the institutions and processes that administer justice in a society. The video critiques the real-world justice system for not always providing closure or justice for victims of abuse or violence. In contrast, horror films often depict a more satisfying resolution, where wrongs are righted and victims triumph over their aggressors.

💡Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that involves imaginative and fantastical elements that are not grounded in reality. The video suggests that horror films serve as a form of fantasy for some viewers, particularly those who have experienced trauma, by providing a space where they can see justice served and threats vanquished in a way that may not be possible in real life.

💡Invincible

Invincible means being unable to be defeated or harmed. The video references an image from 'Jennifer's Body' where the character appears both attractive and invincible, which symbolizes the empowerment and resilience that can be associated with female characters in horror. This image resonates with viewers who may seek to identify with strong, unconquerable figures.

💡Monstrous

Monstrous refers to something that is frightening or repulsive due to its size, shape, or behavior. In the context of the video, the notion of women being monstrous is a central theme in horror, reflecting societal fears and anxieties about female power. The speaker finds this aspect of horror meaningful, as it confronts and challenges cultural fears of women and girls.

Highlights

Women have always been huge horror fans.

Most gothic novel buyers were women.

Women's historical obsession with true crime, violence, and horror.

"Frankenstein" was written by a woman, indicating a strong female presence in horror's history.

Strong female protagonists in horror can be empowering.

The misconception that women in the 80s didn't like horror.

Women might have been afraid to admit liking horror due to perceived feminist betrayal.

Physical vulnerability and the appeal of horror for women.

Horror allows women to explore and confront their fears.

Horror movies can provide closure for survivors of sexual abuse.

The justice system's shortcomings and the fantasy of horror as a form of healing.

The popularity of animated gifs from horror movies among younger audiences.

The image of a female character from "Jennifer's Body" as an icon of strength and allure.

The female monstrous as a central theme in horror, reflecting cultural fears.

Horror is one of the few genres that acknowledges society's terror of women's power.

Transcripts

♪♪

You know, I don't think that women have been

portrayed worse in horror than they have in other movies.

Women have always been huge horror fans.

Like, in the era of the gothic novel,

most of the people buying those books were women.

Women would go to court cases and sit and watch

all the trials, and so they're obsessed with, like,

true crime and violence and horror and all kinds.

It's always been like that.

"Frankenstein" is written by a woman.

So it's like there's a huge history of, like,

women's relationship with horror.

And also for me, like, some of the strongest

female protagonists that I saw growing up

were people like Nancy in "A Nightmare On Elm Street."

So it was, you know, in a weird way, it was empowering.

That's why it was so strange to me that people,

like my mom for instance, just saw it as violent or sexist,

because it an way, the women were the heroes, you know?

But I think in the 80s, it seemed like no women like it.

But I think I was actually just that women were sort of

afraid to like it because they felt like it was

a betrayal of feminism in some way.

As a woman, physically, you always feel somewhat

under threat, you know?

If you're in a room full of men,

you are less physically powerful.

But the fear I think is why a lot of women do like horror,

because fear is something that's part of your life.

And it allows you just a place to explore those threats.

There are a lot of women that are sexual abuse survivors

that don't get closure in their real life.

That's something people don't realize

about horror movies.

There are people that are in abusive situations.

There are people who have been attacked in violent ways.

And we don't have a justice system,

we don't live in a world where you always you get it

taken care of the way that it does.

Films are a fantasy for that reason, too.

They can heal you.

You know, the one that makes me very happy is we have,

you know, all the kids are sending around

the animated gifs these days.

[Laughs] I sound so old.

But, like, I keep seeing this one where,

from "Jennifer's Body", where she's flicking the lighter

and holding her tongue on to it.

And I think people love that image.

It's this idea of just being like hot and invincible.

The notion of the female as monstrous in itself has been

a central tenet of horror

from some of its earliest expressions.

You know, and that's what remains profoundly meaningful

to me about horror, is it's one of the few genres

that's had the guts to say, as a culture,

we are terrified of women and girls,

we are terrified of the power they have.