1000 Women in Horror is mostly entertaining, somewhat informative, and occasionally disappointing.
1000 Women in Horror discusses the importance of women in horror. After all, women always occupied the space. Whether it’s in front of or behind the camera, producing or penning, women immerse themselves in the genre. Yet, regardless of this, there is a common belief that most women do not like horror. Like gaming, people look at the space in terms of gender, deeming girls and women incapable of taking part in or enjoying horror.
Through interviews with various women, the documentary explores their inspirations and the spaces girls and women inhabit in horror films. Most of it is interesting little tidbits about the different producers, writers, actresses, and directors. But there is a disjointed quality as well. 1000 Women in Horror is mostly entertaining, somewhat informative, and occasionally disappointing.
Donna Davies (Tesla’s Children, A Hidden History) directs the documentary, written by and based on the book of the same name by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. The documentary, after an overview, charts a course from girlhood to older womanhood, exploring the phases that chilling films cover. Through the film, we learn about the impact of certain films on women in the genre, the nexus for some creators’ own films, and a frightening C-section breakdown.
1000 Women in Horror Has Some Great Inclusions
While the documentary includes diverse women, the focus on them is haphazard. Among them is writer, director, and producer Mattie Do, talking about films such as The Bad Seed. Although it’s unclear why she did not get to discuss Dearest Sister, an amazing atmospheric film. Nikyatu Jusu, who wrote and directed the underrated 2022 horror film Nanny, talks about her mom’s influence on the film. She also discusses the incorporation of cultural, folkloric specificity. They also interview the writer of the book, of course, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. She discusses girls and women in horror cinema and their impact.
When the documentary talks about the films these women took part in, wrote, or directed, it’s an eye-opening journey. They talk about the very real dangers women face and the cathartic impact of horror. Within lived experiences are the kernels and motivations for uniquely focused horror. As such, it escapes from the traditional white and patriarchal lens. As Kate Siegel (The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Fall of the House of Usher) points out, how powerful women are and the determination to ensure women do not realize it.
Where Is the Line
One particular moment that stood out negatively was the discussion around Rosemary’s Baby. Even bringing up the movie and director feels particularly offensive, regardless of the film’s impact on an individual. You’re talking about a film created by someone convicted of assaulting a child in a documentary that was meant to show love to women. It felt unnecessary, regardless of any attempts to explain it away.
Rather than focusing on what movie had an impact on Mary Harron, 1000 Women in Horror could include something else, like discussing her film The Moth Diaries. While it was not well-received, I enjoyed it as it’s like a modernized Carmilla. There is no movie, then or now, that is more important than real-life harm.
Another aspect that felt disappointing was the references to the usual popular horror films. As it’s not a scary movie moments list, it felt dull seeing the same films brought up again. Plus, again, while not on the level of Roman Polanski, I cannot help but think about what some of the women in these famous films went through. The film regurgitates the same “inspiring” movies. Instead, the documentary should focus on obscurer women’s films. They do this to some extent. But as it’s 1000 Women in Horror, I expected more.
Essential Viewing
1000 Women in Horror is an enjoyable watch. But it felt too broad and not focused enough, even with its attempt to break down the film according to girl-to-woman stages. Bringing up a film helmed by a predator detracts from its attempted impact. While it’s fun on occasion and mentions some great lesser-known horror films, I wish the entire documentary were more like that. Plus, I wish they delved more into what many of these women created in the horror genre. With 1000 Women in Horror, expect some surprises, but also prepare for revisiting well-trod films and famous scenes in horror, leaving the film entertaining but murky as it shifts in and out of focus.
