The affection of the queer community for horror is well-deserved. Beyond the excitement, horror acts as a metaphorical space for delving into the dark and imaginative nuances of otherness, echoing the experiences of many queer and trans individuals.
Queerness has been linked to the history of horror, even if it’s not always explicit. From the queer subtext in classic monster films to openly gay vampire narratives, and from the exploration of gender identity in horror sci-fi to contemporary slashers featuring LGBTQ+ characters, queer and trans viewers have consistently identified with the horror genre, whether intended or otherwise.
This haunting season, whether you fancy a queer cannibal romance, a surreal lesbian vampire tale, a gay cruising suspense, a haunted house comedy, or a trans horror reimagining of The Little Mermaid, there are numerous films to keep you entertained and alert throughout October.
Jennifer’s Body
Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock
“I go both ways.” Try to think of a more memorable, queerer, or wittier line from a horror film monster. Megan Fox’s famous “My tit!” response ranks a close second. These quotes from Jennifer’s Body highlight the genius of Diablo Cody’s screenplay and the exquisite tonal harmony director Karyn Kusama achieves in this cult horror comedy, a film that faced initial backlash but is now celebrated.
In 2009, Jennifer’s Body faced disparagement from male critics and viewers, receiving a 46 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and a C- from Cinemascore. Despite a misleading promotional campaign, this film wasn’t designed for men, particularly not for the standard horror film cisgender heterosexual men were accustomed to, where female characters are victimized for their gratification. It tackles the challenges of growing up as a teenage girl, male aggression, the sexualization of femininity, trauma, and the agonizing reality of queer oppression. Jennifer’s Body smartly employs genre elements — exaggerated gore, suspense, and campiness — to defy expectations and narrate a story that’s both humorous and distinctly queer.
How to watch: Jennifer’s Body is available for streaming on Hulu and can be rented or purchased on <a href="https://zdcs.link/ao66nL?pageview_type=RSS&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Prime%20Video&object_type=article&object_uuid=03l1infimRA37yDsAK5DbZg&short_url=ao66nL&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Ffeeds%2Frss%2Fall" rel="sponsored" title="(opens in a new window)" target="_blank" data-ga-click="1" data-ga-label="$text"