Happy Halloween, guys and ghouls!

If you’re too old to go out trick-or-treating and you don’t have any costume parties to attend, what better way to spend Halloween than with your fave snacks and a bunch of movies?

At Muses of Media, we love to support women directors and their work. So, naturally, we had to create a list of women-directed horror films (and thrillers, for those who don’t want to be too scared) that are perfect for a night in.

While these films are perfect for Halloween, please keep in mind that they are also worth watching any other day of the year! So, without further ado, here’s our list:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – dir. Nia DaCosta

Nia DaCosta is no stranger to horror, having directed the 2021 reimagining of Candyman. This year, she was back at it again with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the newest entry in the 28 Days Later franchise. The post-apocalyptic horror film boasts great performances from Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Alfie Williams. Serving as a direct sequel to 28 Years Later, The Bone Temple is a must-see, especially if you’re a fan of the franchise. Might as well take the time to binge all the films in the franchise, because why not?!

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night – dir. Ana Lily Amirpour

Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is set in a ghost town in Iran, where The Girl (Sheila Vand), a vampire, roams the dark streets on a skateboard, preying on abusive men. There’s much more to be said, but this film is best when you go in knowing as little as possible. Besides, vigilante justice and vampires? That should be reason enough to watch the film immediately.

American Psycho – dir. Mary Harron

It’s New York City in 1987, and Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is living two lives: a savvy investment banker by day and a serial killer by night. Bateman does what he can to hide his violent impulses as he goes through his day-to-day work life, but his façade begins to slip the more time he spends with the wealthy associates that he really hates.

Blink Twice – dir. Zoe Kravitz

Although it can be argued that Blink Twice is more of a psychological thriller than a horror film, the movie’s premise is terrifying nonetheless. When Frida (Naomi Ackie) meets tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) at a fundraiser, she has no idea what she’s getting into. After being invited to his private island for a vacation, Frida quickly learns that not everything is as it seems. As wild nights blur and friends go missing, she has to uncover the truth to ensure she makes it out alive.

Nanny – dir. Nikyatu Jusu

Aisha (Anna Diop) is an immigrant from Senegal. Having left her son with her cousin a year ago, she begins working as a nanny in hopes of raising enough money to bring him to the USA. However, when a malevolent force begins to invade her and then her reality, Aisha must act swiftly before it destroys her and everything she’s worked for.

Raw – dir. Julia Ducournau

It’s Justine’s (Garance Marillier) first year at veterinary school. A lifelong vegan, Justine tries meat for the first time and develops an insatiable craving for human flesh. Back in 2016, when Julia Ducournau’s film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), some viewers were treated by EMS after fainting during some graphic scenes. So, you might want to prepare yourself mentally before sitting down to watch Raw.

Sea Fever – dir. Neasa Hardiman

If you know one thing about me, it’s that I love a good creature feature, and Neasa Hardiman’s Sea Fever is very different from any other I’ve watched. I won’t say too much, as I don’t want to give anything away, but the film does a great job of subverting the expectations we’ve come to associate with certain horror tropes. Starring Hermione Corfield, Connie Nielsen, Dougray Scott, and Ardalan Esmaili, Sea Fever is definitely one to watch if you’d like to see a different take on a creature feature.

Slash/Back – dir. Nyla Innuksuk

Another creature feature? Hell yeah! Slash/Back follows a quartet of friends on a typical day in their hometown of Pangnirtung in Nunavut. But when they discover an alien invasion has begun in their remote Arctic town, the four need to rally together to save themselves, their families, friends, and neighbours. With the help of a rifle, makeshift weapons, and their knowledge of horror films, the friends look to save the day and rid their land of the invading alien creature.

The Babadook – dir. Jennifer Kent

A young boy named Sam (Noah Wiseman) is convinced that a monster is living in his home after reading a pop-up book and experiencing disturbing visions. His mother, Amelia (Essie Davis), grows increasingly concerned by his distressing behaviour and becomes paranoid about what this could mean for her son. What does Evelyn Carnahan say in The Mummy? “No harm ever came from reading a book.” Well, clearly, we know that’s not true at all.

The Substance – dir. Coralie Fargeat

It’s been a few years since Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance pulled audiences in with its smart script and body horror. Demi Moore stars as aging actress Elizabeth Sparkle, recently fired by her misogynistic boss. However, when the promise of a younger and better version of herself (Margaret Qualley) with a simple injection is put on the table, she takes it. But things go terribly wrong when she doesn’t follow the rules laid out for taking the mysterious substance. Not for the faint of heart or the squeamish, The Substance is a must-see for all body-horror fans.