As always, most of the big-name film directors in any given genre are men, but this paradigm is slowly starting to shift. As streaming and independent film chip away at the old methods, new and interesting voices can't help but fight their way to the top with unique new visions.
Women have been in the director's chair of some of the most intelligent scary movies since the very beginning, but they're almost always outnumbered. From classics like Mary Lambert's 1989 Pet Sematary to modern visionaries like Julia Ducournau, the unique perspective provided by women is key to the horror genre.
You Are Not My Mother
Irish writer/director Kate Dolan's feature directorial debut is a gripping and intelligent experience that mixes the psychological with the supernatural. Hazel Doupe stars as Char, a terrified young girl, forced to fend for herself in a Dublin housing estate. When her typically depressive mother Angela vanishes, only to suddenly return, she is faced with the difficult realization that she's not the same woman.
As dark forces seem to rise and Angela's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Char and her grandmother must uncover the difficult secrets of her family line. Doupe and Carolyn Bracken as Angela are both excellent in their roles, conveying so much with the limited presentation. Dolan delivers a chilling exploration of the power of myth, the dangers of parenthood, and the challenges of living with a family's past. Horror fans should be watching closely for Dolan's next project.
Master
This intensely grim film takes place at a university that is haunted by its nightmarishly violent past, but its real horror comes from the constant discrimination of its living residents. Master is a depressingly real depiction of the racism that infects institutions of higher learning, interspersed with the creeping dread of a malevolent spirit. This film is the feature debut of writer/director Mariama Diallo, best known for short films Hair Wolf, Sketch, and White Devil. Beyond her stellar direction and screenwriting, Regina Hall stars in a career-defining performance.
The atmosphere is the greatest weapon in Master's arsenal, and it wields it with impressive skill. The clever interweaving of supernatural and social ills has some critics comparing the film positively to Jordan Peele's output, a high compliment, especially for a newcomer. Master's more traditional horror elements are scary, but its bracing view of life on an American college campus is heartbreaking.
A Banquet
Yet another debut feature, this time from Scottish filmmaker Ruth Paxton, late of gripping short film Be Still My Beating Heart. Her full-length debut is a bit of a mixed bag, leaving some in awe and others unconvinced. The film stars Sienna Guillory and Jessica Alexander as a mother and daughter going through an unusual new turmoil. The latter experiences a religious epiphany and stops eating, leaving the former caught between encouraging her daughter's spirituality and saving her life.
The situation grows much more strange when the teenager seems to lose no weight, despite not eating. The sensory experience of Paxton's debut effort is stellar. Top-notch sound design and masterful visual direction make this one of the most powerfully unnerving films in modern history. It's on a very slow burn, but when it gets where it's going, it cleanly divides its audience into fans and critics. A Banquet is a masterclass in turning the most typical human experiences into nightmarish visions, and it commands attention.
Fresh
Perhaps one of the most regularly spoiled films of 2022 thus far, Mimi Cave's directorial debut is a solid horror-comedy that deserves the praise it's been getting. Fresh is a send-up of modern dating, combined with a fun twist on the classic horror final girl. The film concerns a woman who meets a seemingly normal man at a grocery store and makes a connection from a chance encounter. Desperate for a new experience, she accompanies her new acquaintance on a romantic weekend getaway, only to find herself fighting for her life and regretting her taste in men. Subtlety is just not on the menu in this film. It states its intent with billboard clarity, telegraphs many of its big moments well in advance, and still carries a ton of impact. Fresh is a fan favorite and a critical darling, so most will find something to like about it.
The Manor
Actress, journalist, and filmmaker Axelle Carolyn brings a haunting eye for detail to this supernatural horror film. This is Carolyn's second feature, after the incredible and underrated 2013 film Soulmate. While this film falls slightly short of her stellar debut, The Manor is a chilling feature that delves into the treatment of the elderly and the horror of aging with equal aplomb. The story follows Judith, a former dancer who is committed to a nursing home after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Judith discovers dark secrets within the facility and finds herself faced with an impossible question as she tries to determine what is real and what is imagined. The Manor is a clever and well-executed horror experience that will leave viewers wondering where Carolyn's unique career could go next.