By Naufal Farras. Cover image by Iulia Ecaterina for I’M Firenze Digest.

Horror films often focus on blood, screams, and monsters lurking in the dark. However, at the core of this genre are the roles of women that have redefined our perspective. We call them, Horror Heroines. From seductive villains to resilient final girls, these characters mirror societal fears and the evolution of gender roles from the silent film era. These characters embody a broad spectrum of femininity – from vulnerability to danger and power – making them essential figures in the narration of horror. What makes these horror female characters stand out is how they blend fear with fashion, using their style as a symbol of their strength. 
From the gothic seductresses of early cinema to modern heroines like Sidney Prescott, these characters have continuously evolved, capturing cultural shifts in how women are perceived. Their roles, costumes, and identities tell compelling stories of resilience, vulnerability, and survival. Here’s a look at some of the most iconic female horror icons through the decades and the profound impact they have made on the genre.

Horror Heroines: your Fabulous Guide in Films

The Silent Era Sirens: Female Antagonists in 1910s-1920s Horror Films

In the 1910s-1920s, female villains in silent horror films captivated viewers with their striking fashion and visual presence. Since silent cinema relied on actresses’ physical presence to convey fear and allure, characters like the vampire from A Fool There Was, played by Theda Bara, exemplified this approach. With her dark, kohl-lined eyes and lavish, seductive gowns, this character became a solid archetype of the “vamp” – a woman whose sexuality and beauty were captivating and yet threatening.

This character reflected societal anxieties about the changes in womanhood at that time, as the flapper era brought more liberated attitudes toward fashion and femininity. The delicate yet menacing style of this character echoed the cultural tension between emerging female independence and traditional gender norms, leaving a profound impact on both cinema and fashion.

Gothic Queens: Iconic Female Characters of the 1930s-1940s 

In the 1930s, horror films embraced gothic visuals, with female characters playing a central role in this moody, atmospheric style. One of the most iconic characters of the decade was Elsa Lanchester as the Bride of Frankenstein in The Bride of Frankenstein. Her towering, electrified hair and draped white gown created sharp contrasts of light and shadow, making it the most memorable look in the horror genre.

Her appearance combined beauty with terror, encapsulating a balance between creation and destruction and portraying women as not only powerful but also dangerous. This approach mirrored societal concerns about women’s changing roles in the midst of the Great Depression, a period marked by shifting gender norms. It projected both the allure and fear of female power in a visually captivating way.

The Damsels in Distress:  How the 1950s Redefined Female Roles in Horror 

In the 1950s, horror films shifted towards sensationalism and science fiction, drawing inspiration from post-war distress and the atomic age. Female characters, often depicted as damsels in distress, began to move away from passive roles. One notable character was Julie Adams in Creature from the Black Lagoon, whose iconic white swimsuit became a symbol of innocence and beauty amidst danger.

Her costumes in the movie reflected the era’s fascination with the idealised, glamorous woman, while her character’s survival instincts hinted at a growing trend towards stronger female roles. Fashion in 1950s horror often highlighted femininity through form-fitting dresses, swimsuits, and glamorous hairstyles. Yet, it also subtly depicted women as more than just damsels in distress in a world filled with monstrous threats. This era’s fashion upheld traditional ideals while hinting at evolving gender roles, as female characters in horror films displayed a newfound resilience and independence.

Psychological Horror Heroines: Mia Farrow and 1960s Female Empowerment 

In the 1960s, Mia Farrow’s portrayal of Rosemary Woodhouse in Rosemary’s Baby became an iconic representation of horror in that era, intertwining fashion and psychological terror.

Her pixie haircut and mod-style, loose-fitting dresses reflected the youthful, liberated fashion of the time, symbolising a modern, independent woman. However, as Rosemary becomes entangled in a sinister conspiracy surrounding her pregnancy, her bright and stylish appearance sharply contrasts with her growing sense of helplessness and dread.

This shift mirrored societal anxieties about women’s autonomy and control over their bodies, which were gaining prominence in the 1960s. Rosemary’s delicate, almost childlike look emphasised her vulnerability, intensifying her evolution into a terrifying figure. Her style and character reflect the decade’s cultural shifts while embodying the psychological horror of losing control over one’s own life and body.

The Final Girls of the 1970s: Resilient Heroines Who Redefined Survival 

In the 1970s, horror films started featuring more resilient female characters. Jamie Lee Curtis’s portrayal of Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978) became an iconic example of this trend. Laurie’s modest, day-to-day wardrobe (simple sweaters, jeans, and sneakers) depicted her as the humble girl next door, a significant contrast to the more glamorous or sexualised female victims of earlier horror films. Her unassuming fashion not only made her character more relatable but also focused on her strength and resourcefulness in facing the film’s masked killer, Michael Myers. Laurie Strode’s ability to survive and fight back solidified the “final girl” trope, representing a new kind of horror protagonist—one who reflected the growing empowerment of women during the 1970s. Her practical, understated clothing became symbolic of survival and resilience, capturing the era’s cultural shift towards stronger, more independent female characters in horror.

1980s: The Blood-Soaked Glamour Matriarch 

In the 1980s, Cassandra Paterson portrayed Elvira in Mistress of the Dark, and it became a cultural icon, blending gothic horror with campy, seductive fashion. Elvira’s signature look featured a plunging black gown, voluminous hair, and bold makeup, adding a playful yet provocative edge to the genre. Her confident, vampy persona not only embraced the extravagance of the decade but also challenged traditional horror stereotypes by portraying her character as in charge.

Elvira’s unique blend of humour, sex appeal, and gothic style allowed her to stand out as a prominent figure in 1980s horror. She embodied the era’s fascination with strong, independent women who could command attention through their style and personality, all while injecting a sense of self-parody into the genre.

Neve Campbell and 1990s-2000s Evolution

In the 1990s, horror films became more self-aware, with female characters playing crucial roles in redirecting the genre. Neve Campbell’s portrayal of Sidney Prescott in Scream captured these changes. Sidney’s casual and grunge style, along with her understated wardrobe of jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers, reflected her relatability and strength as a modern, grounded heroine. Sidney understood the rules of horror, turning the genre’s tropes on their head by being both vulnerable and empowered. Her focus on practicality over glamour in fashion highlighted her resilience in the face of danger. The 1990s horror fashion leaned into realism and relatability; characters like Sidney represented a new wave of empowered women who were no longer just survivors but active participants in their narratives, reflecting the decade’s growing focus on female autonomy.

2010s-2020s: The Ordinary Heroine Unravelling 

In recent decades, Toni Collette’s portrayal of Annie Graham in Hereditary has been considered one of the best performances in modern horror. In her role as a mother grappling with overwhelming grief and supernatural forces, she embodied the psychological and emotional depth of a mother, defining the 2010s approach to the horror genre. Her wardrobe, consisting of simple sweaters, casual shirts, and neutral tones, reflected her role as an ordinary woman dealing with unimaginable trauma.

Her understated clothing underlined the realism and relatability of her character, allowing her intense emotional journey to take centre stage. Collette’s depiction of Annie highlighted the decade’s inclination towards exploring deeper themes such as family, grief, and psychological terror, with her character’s everyday look serving as a stark contrast to the horror and turmoil that consumed her life.
Over the decades, female icons in horror have gone beyond screams and scares. Their character design and presence mirror evolving cultural attitudes toward gender, power, and fear, serving as symbols of both vulnerability and strength. Whether portrayed as the final, the villain, or something in between, these women demonstrate that the horror genre is not just about our fears but who we are and what we are capable of.