Get ready for a spooky film and TV marathon
BY KATE CANNING, IMAGE BY UNIVERSAL
Horror has always been considered a beloved genre by the queer community. Typical horror films often explore themes of identity and otherness, so it is no surprise that the queer community may seek comfort in the uncomfortable.
To celebrate Halloween, we thought we’d take a look at some of the most iconic and best loved sapphic characters from horror films and shows.
Theo Crain (The Haunting Of Hill House)
The character of Theodora was incredibly queer-coded in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting Of Hill House novel, and has been in every iteration since. Her depiction in The Haunting (1963) is now considered groundbreaking lesbian representation for simply not allowing Theodora to fall victim to the trope of “predatory lesbian” despite society’s views on homosexuality at the time. Mike Flanagan’s 2018 Netflix adaptation finally canonises Theo as a lesbian, with a wonderful heartwarming scene of her coming out to her siblings at her sister’s wedding.
Jennifer Check (Jennifer’s Body)
This list wouldn’t be complete without her. Jennifer Check has been considered a staple sapphic horror icon after the release of Jennifer’s Body in 2009, with THAT Jennifer and Needy kiss living in our minds rent free ever since. Megan Fox’s unforgettable line delivery of “I go both ways” at the film’s climax is what solidifies Jennifer as a bisexual boy-eating, girl-kissing icon.
Dani and Jamie (The Haunting Of Bly Manor)
Sapphics have been obsessed with the beautifully tragic story of Dani and Jamie since they hit our screens in 2020. The Haunting Of Bly Manor is ultimately a story of grief and love, with Dani and Jamie’s relationship persisting throughout. Their relationship turns out to be one of the central threads of the story when Carla Gugino’s character is revealed to be an older version of Jamie, still haunted by Dani, and flips the notion of “haunting” on its head to be something rooted in love.
Emerald Haywood (Nope)
In 2023, Jordan Peele blessed us with his third film, Nope, with Keke Palmer starring as Emerald Haywood. She oozes charisma from the very first second she steps on screen, and Keke Palmer thoroughly embodies Emerald’s lesbian charm that offers some much-needed relief from the looming threat of the entity in the sky eating everyone. Her character is pivotal to the film’s resolution, and in a welcome subversion of usual horror tropes, Emerald in all her Black lesbian glory is the film’s final girl.
Deena Johnson (Fear Street Trilogy)
2021 horror trilogy Fear Street introduced us to the character of Deena Johnson, played by Kiana Madeira. Deena’s relationship with Sam is central to the story of Fear Street, with the pair managing to reconcile their love in the middle of all of the chaos that a slasher movie brings. Her character offers a representation of the typical “outcast” by existing as an unapologetic grunge-loving flannel-wearing lesbian in the 90s. Deena and Sam are the film’s heroes, and manage to save their town while also saving their relationship in spite of 90s societal pressures.
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