The Top 5 Best Horror Films w/ Black Final Girls
We all know the 80’s slasher film archetype, killer goes after girl and at the end of the movie although helpless she survives a fatal stabbing from pursuant killer. Named the Final Girl, back then she was usually very attractive, skinny, and blonde. In the 90’s this girl became a brunette, educated, and satire ensued the genre. While the early 2000’s made the slasher a paranormal being that you couldn’t run and hide from as easily. With some evolution of the genre over the decades, the Final Girl remains the common storyline that is played with over and over again in the horror genre. Yet, this blog post is dedicated to a different Final Girl, the Black Final Girl. The Black Final Girl in horror movies is a different type of character than the typical white, blonde or brunette vulnerable type.
The Black Final Girl character is typically the best friend that displays all the stereotypical “black girl” or “home girl” traits that in the end help her and the main final girl survive the killer. Solidifying the mostly factual aspect of horror movies which is, if you have a black best friend or stick with black people you will most likely survive.
So keep reading if you would like to check out my Top 5 Best Horror Films with a Black Final Girl.
1. Fresh- Jojo T. Gibbs
It took a year for me to come around to watch this female directed film “Fresh” staring the talented Sebastian Stan. Right from the first scene of the cringe first date I was thoroughly impressed with this cannibalistic and almost mastocytic take on the horror sub-genre. At jump, once Molli the character portrayed by actress Jojo T. Gibbs was introduced on screen, I knew she would be the shero we all want and need. The easy prey of a girl looking for love, with no close family in a big city falls short because she has a loyal black girlfriend that recognizes when somethings shady from the start. The biggest takeaway from this film, is get you a loyal black girlfriend that has your back no matter what if you want to survive a killer trying to eat you. Go watch Fresh now on Hulu.com.
2. Little Monsters- Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita has become quite the Black Final Girl with roles in Jordan Peele films, but one Horror film that Lupita starts in that hasn’t gotten the same attention as others is in the Australia based film “Little Monsters." Somehow Lupita is able to pull off and master being both a kick-ass teacher literally and figuratively. Killing zombies and saving her students from being fed on during a field trip gone wrong. All while being sensitive, gentle, staying calm as cucumber and singing uplifting songs so her students don't get scared. More than just a zombie flick, this film is funny, endearing, and even in the end making me well up a bit. Watch Little Monsters now on Hulu.com.
3. Antebellum - Janelle Monae
Not your typical horror film, however this film is very terrifying, especially is you are a Black Woman because it feels like something like this could actually happen. This film also completely flips the vulnerable girl narrative. Veronica Henley portrayed by singer and actress Janelle Monae is a strong and fierce writer that's not afraid to speak up against injustices. Making her the perfect target for those that completely despise someone just like Veronica. And her notoriety for this is the perfect way to take her to her worst nightmare. Watch Antebellum on Vudu.com.
4. Idle Hands- Vivica A. Fox
This cult classic is a guilty pleasure of mine and it dawned on me that it’s probably because Vivica A. Fox saves the day as the possessed evil hunter in this stoner high schooler horror comedy. Vivica A. Fox kills it as Debi Lacure in this precursor to her other more iconic roles like in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill.” Charming yet bad-ass Debi with guidance and training from her ancestors travels the country in her RV to stop the killings of this possessed evil. The only one with the answers and the tools to stop it all. Watch Idle Hands for free on Pluto.com.
5. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer- Brandy
The very 90’s and personal nostalgic gem was very popular at the time as slasher films made a comeback mid to late nineties. The sequel to the popular teen horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Although may not be the first Black Final Girl in cinema history, it was my first and favorite because, well, Brandy. A close second and another that I thought of as I writing this is the first Blade film, and the black doctor sidekick that had Blade suck her blood to save the day. In I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Brandy’s character Carla albeit a bit problematic she brings a calm to the situation that makes you feel like they will survive in the end. Watch ISKWYDLS on Epix.com.
This was so fun to write and expound on the things that interest me so much, movies, especially at this time horror ones. As well as seeing strong black women the forefront to show our perspectives in this genre that traditional don’t include us all. Comment below what other movie related Top 5 blogs you would like to see from me.
We all know the 80’s slasher film archetype, killer goes after girl and at the end of the movie although helpless she survives a fatal stabbing from pursuant killer. Named the Final Girl, back then she was usually very attractive, skinny, and blonde. In the 90’s this girl became a brunette, educated, and satire ensued the genre. While the early 2000’s made the slasher a paranormal being that you couldn’t run and hide from as easily. With some evolution of the genre over the decades, the Final Girl remains the common storyline that is played with over and over again in the horror genre. Yet, this blog post is dedicated to a different Final Girl, the Black Final Girl. The Black Final Girl in horror movies is a different type of character than the typical white, blonde or brunette vulnerable type.
The Black Final Girl character is typically the best friend that displays all the stereotypical “black girl” or “home girl” traits that in the end help her and the main final girl survive the killer. Solidifying the mostly factual aspect of horror movies which is, if you have a black best friend or stick with black people you will most likely survive.
So keep reading if you would like to check out my Top 5 Best Horror Films with a Black Final Girl.
1. Fresh- Jojo T. Gibbs
It took a year for me to come around to watch this female directed film “Fresh” staring the talented Sebastian Stan. Right from the first scene of the cringe first date I was thoroughly impressed with this cannibalistic and almost mastocytic take on the horror sub-genre. At jump, once Molli the character portrayed by actress Jojo T. Gibbs was introduced on screen, I knew she would be the shero we all want and need. The easy prey of a girl looking for love, with no close family in a big city falls short because she has a loyal black girlfriend that recognizes when somethings shady from the start. The biggest takeaway from this film, is get you a loyal black girlfriend that has your back no matter what if you want to survive a killer trying to eat you. Go watch Fresh now on Hulu.com.
2. Little Monsters- Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita has become quite the Black Final Girl with roles in Jordan Peele films, but one Horror film that Lupita starts in that hasn’t gotten the same attention as others is in the Australia based film “Little Monsters." Somehow Lupita is able to pull off and master being both a kick-ass teacher literally and figuratively. Killing zombies and saving her students from being fed on during a field trip gone wrong. All while being sensitive, gentle, staying calm as cucumber and singing uplifting songs so her students don't get scared. More than just a zombie flick, this film is funny, endearing, and even in the end making me well up a bit. Watch Little Monsters now on Hulu.com.
3. Antebellum - Janelle Monae
Not your typical horror film, however this film is very terrifying, especially is you are a Black Woman because it feels like something like this could actually happen. This film also completely flips the vulnerable girl narrative. Veronica Henley portrayed by singer and actress Janelle Monae is a strong and fierce writer that's not afraid to speak up against injustices. Making her the perfect target for those that completely despise someone just like Veronica. And her notoriety for this is the perfect way to take her to her worst nightmare. Watch Antebellum on Vudu.com.
4. Idle Hands- Vivica A. Fox
This cult classic is a guilty pleasure of mine and it dawned on me that it’s probably because Vivica A. Fox saves the day as the possessed evil hunter in this stoner high schooler horror comedy. Vivica A. Fox kills it as Debi Lacure in this precursor to her other more iconic roles like in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill.” Charming yet bad-ass Debi with guidance and training from her ancestors travels the country in her RV to stop the killings of this possessed evil. The only one with the answers and the tools to stop it all. Watch Idle Hands for free on Pluto.com.
5. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer- Brandy
The very 90’s and personal nostalgic gem was very popular at the time as slasher films made a comeback mid to late nineties. The sequel to the popular teen horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Although may not be the first Black Final Girl in cinema history, it was my first and favorite because, well, Brandy. A close second and another that I thought of as I writing this is the first Blade film, and the black doctor sidekick that had Blade suck her blood to save the day. In I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Brandy’s character Carla albeit a bit problematic she brings a calm to the situation that makes you feel like they will survive in the end. Watch ISKWYDLS on Epix.com.
This was so fun to write and expound on the things that interest me so much, movies, especially at this time horror ones. As well as seeing strong black women the forefront to show our perspectives in this genre that traditional don’t include us all. Comment below what other movie related Top 5 blogs you would like to see from me.
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