Something that gets frequently explored (or merely displayed) in horror is human suffering. But more specifically, women’s suffering. There’s a number of motivations and intentions for this, going from perverse satisfaction to assistive recognition. And it’s not always clear what’s what.
There are the unnerving female characters, put there to irritate and frustrate you in one way or another - or in several ways. The kind that can make you go, “You should be one of the first to go.” Or, “This movie will suck if you’re the one who survives in the end.” They may be preachy and convinced that they know best what is good and what is right while everybody else dies around them as they get their way at the cost of others. Or maybe just someone who reminds you of your ex or of that girl that rejected you (or never even noticed you) and it hurt your ego. Whatever the case, and whether on purpose or not, horror is not above showing torturous deaths of women that the audience might enjoy on a personal level. Furthermore, there are the expendable female characters that don’t have much of an impact and further the killer(s)’ or general deaths’ count, perhaps while showing various different ways in which someone can painfully die. They’ll probably sob and squeal “like girls do”.
However, there’s also the type of female characters that go through hell and back and make it out alive. Definitely not unscathed, but still breathing. And the story often revolves around that.
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| The Invisible Man (2020) |
Usually, it’s about a character that starts out being innocent and naive and, through dire circumstances, is forced to witness and participate in horrible acts, toughening up in the process, her purity forever stained. Alternatively, though, it might be a badass character from the beginning that was underestimated and soon or eventually proved to everyone that she was not to be messed with. It may be a bit of both, too.
In fiction, that’s fine. Fictional characters let us see and speculate on how bad things can go if this or that happened without causing them any real harm. In reality, though, and with real people, it's another thing. There’s a HUGE difference between encouraging and helping someone become a stronger and wiser person and putting someone through traumatic experiences that stunt or difficult their development as they end up riddled with fear or defeatism - and you should be very careful not to do the latter.
If fiction is realistic enough, it will accurately depict the damage of it. Things don’t just instantly go back to normal upon “winning” in such scenarios. Take Laurie Strode, the sole survivor of Michael Myers’ 1978 killing spree, in Halloween, and how she consequently suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder that impaired her relationships and quality of life. And for what? So that she could be an old lady holding a shotgun with a house full of traps, a head filled with worries and a heart filled with hate? Pretty sure you can teach people self-preservation without resorting to successfully killing all their friends and persistently trying to kill them.
Yet, there’s no denying that some survival stories are all about female empowerment and we love them for that. Because, you know, women are these weak and fragile things that don’t stand a chance. Or so you’d believe, but then… Surprise, motherfucker! You are mistaken and they can and will kick your ass.
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| Shadow In The Cloud (2020) |
Certainly, many of these stories indulge fantasy and are removed from fact. Nevertheless, it is true that women of the world face incredible hardships and a few of the more fortunate ones make it out of them or even end on top of the situation. These stories are a reminder of that and you can take them as a nudge to keep being feisty, no matter the odds, against those or that which seeks to harm or even destroy you for their self-serving benefit.
Life is not fair and it is not always kind either. And in extreme cases, it is as horrible as a horror story. At one point or another, we will come to realize and deal with that. And when that time comes, hopefully, you’ll make it through and past your suffering, whatever degree of it is bestowed upon you. Never let your falsely perceived incapability stop you.
Have you looked up to female survivors? Are you one?