5 ‘Good for Her’ Horror Movies to Watch When You’re Mentally Ready to Burn It All Down
“Good for her” is an expression that congratulates women for striking back against men, women, or a society in general that has sought to hold them down, even when the retaliation is violent or excessive. The phrase originates from the comedy series Arrested Development where eccentric alcoholic Lucille Bluth congratulates a woman on the news for allowing her car to roll into a lake after she “couldn’t take it anymore.”
In horror, women who take bloody and excessive retaliation are common, and it can be a feminist (or just plain enjoyable) experience to watch. These films may not be moral, but as Lady Gaga said when asked about her character Patrizia Gucci, who hired a hitman to murder her ex-husband in House of Gucci (2021), “I don’t believe in the glorification of murder. I do believe in the empowerment of women.”
Don’t Deliver Us From Evil (1971)
A controversial drama horror movie about Catholic boarding school classmates Anne and Lore (Jeanne Goupil and Catherine Wagener). The girls become best friends and spend all their time together reading dark poetry and playing malicious pranks on others. Over the summer, the girls conduct a Black Mass, asking Satan to help them become even more evil. The film culminates in a shocking and extreme act.
Teeth (2007)
Teeth is a horror comedy about the vagina dentata urban legend, a folk story about vaginas that contain teeth. Dawn O’Keefe (Jess Weixler) is a Christian high-school student intent on saving her virginity for marriage. Fortunately for Dawn, and unfortunately for her shady suitors, the sudden appearance of her vagina dentata only hurts men whose advances aren’t consensual.
You’re Next (2011)
While eating dinner with her boyfriend’s family at their country house, the family is suddenly attacked by masked men hiding outside. What starts as a typical cabin in the woods horror movie takes a turn when it is revealed that Erin grew up in a survivalist cult. She uses her skills to fashion weapons and turn the tables on the masked intruders.
Revenge (2017)
A bloody French action thriller, Revenge tells the story of a socialite named Jennifer (Matilda Lutz), who arrives to a secluded desert home with her married boyfriend Richard (Kevin Janssens) for a romantic getaway. Richard’s friends, Stan and Dimitri, arrive early for their hunting trip and when Richard is away, Stan rapes Jennifer. When Jennifer refuses a bribe to cover the event up, he murders her by pushing her off a cliff. She survives to hunt the three men down.
Pearl (2022)
Pearl (Mia Goth) lives an isolated life on a Texas farm with her mother and invalid father while her husband fights in World War I. She dreams of becoming a famous dancer who is loved by everyone and can finally leave her family’s farm. When she is not hired following a local dance audition, her murderous urges are unleashed.
