19/10/06
Analysis and evaluation from gender in horror books:
The Monstrous – Feminine, film, feminism, psychoanalysis by Barbara Creed

I have noticed that women are often portrayed as the passive and tearful victim rather than the heroine of a horror film. If a woman plays a monster she is referred to by her sexuality, and is said to seduce her victims with her femininity and sexual charms. A female monster is more likely to destroy and kill its victim out of revenge and spite and often malice and jealously. Whereas a male monster will kill due to a number of reasons: insanity, rape, jealously etc.
The male role within popular horror films stereotypically portrays the man as the villain; dominant and powerful whose job is to either murder the female victim or rescue her. I do not agree that male directors are trying to offload some anger or jealousy on to the female role by killing her off, as stated in some gender in horror books. I believe that this formulae for woman as victim and man as hero or monster works better because of the way in which society view male and female roles. It is much scarier to watch and put yourself in the shoes of a female victim, than a big strong man, who would stand a good chance at defending himself against the villain/monster. The suspense and tension added when a woman plays the victim is greater because her chance of survival is smaller. Therefore, in my opinion the greater amount of tension and suspense the better the horror movie.