More scream queen movies in 2025, please

A new scream queen is on the rise in 2025—Sophie Thatcher. If you missed her in "Heretic," don't worry. Her upcoming film "Companion" will showcase her unique talents just as well.

While "Companion" may not break new ground as a thriller, Thatcher herself is definitely one to watch. Her performance in "Heretic" stood out despite the film's mediocrity. She has a remarkable ability to convey complex emotions with subtle gestures and expressions. Her scenes with Hugh Grant revealed her potential, though the male-centric plot didn't give her enough room to shine. I remember thinking she could become the next scream queen if she was given a leading role in a horror film. Well, "Companion" might be the opportunity. Going to be released in theatre this month, it's a revenge story where Thatcher plays a robot character named Iris. The trailer suggests it might lean more towards comedy than horror, somewhat like a tech-focused version of "Gone Girl." Whatever the film's outcome, I'm excited to see Thatcher developing her career as a scream queen—a path that not only draws young audiences but offers rich possibilities for female performers.

The concept of scream queens has always intrigued me. These are standout actresses in horror films, though the term's meaning has evolved over the years. Originally, it referred to actresses playing beautiful victims who screamed their way through movies until they were rescued by male heroes. But the 1970s changed everything, bringing a wave of female-led horror films. Think Jamie Lee Curtis in "Halloween" or Neve Campbell in "Scream"—women who proved they could carry horror films without male saviors.

Early scream queens often played the final girls—the last survivors in horror films. This required both charm and smarts, but these roles could be limiting. The heavy male gaze in past horror films often reduced female characters to sexualized victims, destined for dramatic (and usually sexy) death scenes.

Today's horror queens are far more diverse. Many now play villains, especially since 2020. Look at Mia Goth in the "X" trilogy—her characters Maxine and Pearl aren't typical victims. Pearl, especially, is one of recent cinema's most compelling villains. What makes Pearl so fascinating? Unlike typical antagonists, she's deeply complex. We see the world through her eyes and understand her motivations and the circumstances that shaped her. Her violence stems from years of suppression and unfulfilled dreams. Through the intimate scenes and powerful monologues (including the unforgettable eight-minute finale), we get a fully realized character we can empathize with, thanks largely to Goth's efforts both on screen and backstage as the film's lead and writer.

This evolution explains why I love these new female-led horror films. Unlike mainstream movies where women often serve as decoration, horror allows female characters to be complex and multifaceted. The new generation of scream queens—Goth as the disturbed antagonist in the "X" trilogy, Kathryn Newton in "Abigail" and "Lisa Frankenstein," Melissa Barrera reinventing herself through "Scream 6" and "Bed Rest," and Jenna Ortega becoming Gen Z's horror icon with "Wednesday"—they all break free from the traditional "pretty victim" mold.

Sadly, 2025's lineup of female-led horror films feels a bit thin. Besides "Companion," we've got Ortega's "Death of the Unicorns," Goth in Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Bride!," Lucy Liu in Steven Soderbergh's "Presence," and "M3GAN 2." Not exactly overwhelming, isn't it? Calling all producers out there: this is what I, being someone who is tired of seeing women relegated to "good girl" roles, have to say—We need more scream queen movies! Whatever form they take, keep them coming! I'll be first in line to pay for the tickets and watch them!

If you have any recommendations for female-led horror movies, feel free to let me know in the comments. I never mind buying an extra movie ticket for the queens.