The WODC's Top 5 Favorite Female Killers
There is an impressive number of badass women in Horror, but final girls aren't the only ones who get in on the fun. We're continuing our Spooky Top 5 series with our favorite female killers.
Ruby Modine in Happy Death Day (2017) - IMDB
#5 Lori Spengler, Happy Death Day (2017)
Many were happily surprised by how good Happy Death Day was. The twist that leads us to discover the real killer is Tree's innocent, nurse roommate Lori lands her in our number five spot. Lori proved to be a cunning and merciless killer who utilized anything she could to kill Tree. We don't love that she did this all for a shitty man, but hey, it happens.
Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Samara Weaving, and Judah Lewis in The Babysitter (2017) - IMDB
#4 Bea, The Babysitter (2017)
First of all, Samara Weaving is an incredible actress. Her skills, combined with a solid original story that fans love, lands Bea at #4. Bea is ruthless and will kill whoever she has to, to complete her blood ritual, but she is manipulative enough to get her hands dirty only when she has too. Her return in The Babysitter: Killer Queen proves she always has a plan and is a killer with a heart of gold.
Betsy Palmer in Friday the 13th (1980) - IMDB
#3 Mrs. Voorhees, Friday the 13th (1980)
Proof that a mother's love is as powerful as Hell. Although Jason ultimately ends up the main villain and cements himself as a horror icon in the rest of the series, fans cannot forget that Pamela Voorhees started it all. "Pamela Voorhees or Mrs. Vorhees from Friday the 13th (1980) is my top killer female because she caught me by surprise. When I first started getting into Horror, vengeful moms or females, in general, weren't an expected villain on the list of possible suspects. So, upon viewing this classic horror flick, I was impressed to find out that the killer was the usually least expected kind looking female. "- Angela Thomas, The WODC.
Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tiersten in Sleepaway Camp (1983) - IMDB
#2 Angela Baker, Sleepaway Camp (1983)
The original Sleepaway Camp is a cult classic and a must see. Angela is an innocent camper who's been through A LOT. After being tormented by fellow campers, counselors, and a pedophiliac cook, she snaps and decides to get revenge. Angela goes far beyond the traditional means of killing. She gets creative using everything from boiling water and bees to a curling iron up the, well, you know.
"The film is definitely a product of its time, but what I appreciate about Angela is that she's not killing because she is transgender, she's killing to get revenge on people who have harmed her and her loyal cousin. The audience doesn't even know she's trans until the end. It's a sensationalized reveal, but compared to other movies of the time that blamed killing on sexual/gender identity, Angela was taking back power in a way she thought was appropriate." Deanna Gomez, The WODC.
Sissy Spacek in Carrie (1976) - IMDB
#1 Carrie White, Carrie (1976)
So good, they gave her a musical. Carrie White is our number one pick. There's a pattern of revenge for many of our top killers, but watching Carrie on screen is simultaneously satisfying and horrifying. Anyone who has ever been bullied and belittled has secretly hoped for powers like Carrie's to enact sweet and easy revenge.
"Here's the thing about Carrie White. Though she may be one of the most prolific female horror characters to date, I don't necessarily think she's a villain. Murderer? Absolutely. But, she was also a tragic product of her toxic religious upbringing that was pushed to the brink by shallow high school expectations. She's relatable to every American teenage girl who didn't get the privilege of being pretty and popular. And that's why she's my favorite—also, telekinesis." - Mercedes Milner, The WODC.
About the Writer
Deanna Gomez is Editor in Chief of the WODC blog. She helms the Spooky Bitches horror column is the co-creator and showrunner for The Bad Feeling Podcast. (2020)