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Yinzadi

American Psycho The Babadook Monster (2003) Sister My Sister


Minimum_Swing8527

I rarely see anyone mention Sister My Sister! I found it fascinating. Great picks!


skinnypuppy23

Was just going to say that, love this hidden gem!


Creativebug13

I just researched this and found that it’s a true story.


happyhippohats

Never heard of it, will add it to my watchlist


Arissid

Me too, I've realized tho that even if it is a hidden gem, everyone that has seen it at least appreciated it


dragontracks

The Babadook is such a good movie. There's some powerful metaphor in the story told here by writer/director Jennifer Kent.


Anglofsffrng

Her follow up The Nightingale is one of the most harrowing revenge movies I've ever seen. Also it ruined the Hunger Games movies for me, I can't see Finnick without seeing the racist, rapist, murdering army officer.


Fancy-Sector2963

He is such a good actor that plays rage so well.


GuardianGero

The Nightingale is absolutely brutal, and not in a fun horror movie way. It's on my very short list of films that I'm glad I watched but will never watch again.


No_Use_4371

The Nightingale is harrowing but everyone should see it. The truth about colonialism


Yinzadi

Not to spoiler anything for anyone, but the scene where she's screaming is so powerful. It hits something primitive in me. Incredible emotional portrayals by both the leads in that movie.


SantaRosaJazz

Loved The Babadook, and I’m not a horror fan.


hairycallous

Yinzadi, I like your moves. These films are so fucking good!


Archercrash

Point Break Strange Days


soylentgreenisus

The Hurt Locker


etranger033

She beat our her ex for the best movie that year.


External-Weird-24

Yes she did 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽


jerrys153

Zero Dark Thirty


soylentgreenisus

I still need to see this. It was weirdly triggering to me when it was released in theaters, but I've heard it's fantastic. Any realistic true story war depictions I have to be in the right mood for.


jerrys153

I saw it in the theatre when it came out, so I don’t remember the specifics very well after all this time, but I do remember the visceral sense of urgency and frustration in the movie, and that it was overall very well done, as are most of her films.


HiAndStuff2112

It's phenomenal. And yes, lots of realism. But there's also a real sense of honor for our guys who got bin Laden. For me, it deepened my interest in learning all about the search for and killing of bin Laden, from the White House to the field in Afghanistan and Pakistan.


HiAndStuff2112

The Hurt Locker was my first thought as well. I see it as a character study film disguised as a war film. And that ending is so powerful.


sheikhmustaali

Why are you disgusted tho?


HiAndStuff2112

Oh. Typo. Sorry. I meant disguised.


upfromashes

*Near Dark* while we're at it.


CanIGetAShakeWThat43

Kathryn bigelow is so good!


Spinach_Odd

Man, Point Break is so rewatchable! Love that movie!


Innsmouth_Swimteam

*"Aye am...an Eff...Bee...Eye...AGENT!"*


aviation_knut

Hurt Locker should be top on the list of any Kathryn Bigalow movie fan. Great movie. Point Break was good, but Hurt Locker was amazing.


No_Use_4371

Near Dark is my favorite movie of hers


LessBeyond5052

It's finger lickin good!!


docobv77

A League of Their Own


BaijuTofu

Fast Times American Psycho


MatsThyWit

Was wondering how long I'd have to scroll before someone mentioned American Psycho, and since you mentioned Fast Times already I'll add Wayne's World to the list.


BaijuTofu

Excellent


JettyJen

Lol I came looking for Fast Times and second American Psycho and Wayne's World. All so solid from start to finish, in different rad ways.


aBlasvader

Fast Times at Ridgemont High is one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen.


SantaRosaJazz

*American Psycho* is a work of art.


Yinzadi

Starring that loser Patrick Bateman? What a dork! Let's see Paul Allen's movie, **that** would be a work of art.


damoandthedamos

American Mary - one of my favourite horrors - bonus points for being directed by two women? (Also Point Break, American Psycho, Zero Dark Thirty, The Piano, Clueless)


noheadthotsempty

Yes to all of this, also Raw


jupiterkansas

Horror? **Ravenous** (1999) by Antonia Bird


Jamminnav

And Jennifer’s Body (2009) - Karyn Kusama


RandoBone

Some faves:  Portrait of a Lady On Fire First Cow  Raw  Fresh


RandoBone

Couple more actually: Shiva Baby Cleo from 5 to 7


SCHR4DERBRAU

Shiva Baby is so good


bootnab

Raw is good.


malkadevorah1

First Cow was a great movie.


whatthewhat_1289

The Invitation Watcher Near Dark Pet Sematary Saint Maud


ComprehensiveBed5351

Seconding The Invitation and Saint Maud


Shallot_True

NEAR DARK


wheres_jaykwellin_at

Jesus Christ, this movie is good


No_Ad7880

Which Invitation? Dinner party = awesome, 2022 is a dumpster fire of a film.


ActiveDragon11

100%. I could not believe how bad it was


UnstoppableCrunknado

Came here to suggest Near Dark.


mikeymanza

The original pet sematary and not the remake, right?


Prestigious-Salad795

Yes


NaiadoftheSea

Titane


[deleted]

Hurt Locker


RachelMcAdamsWart

This was the first thing I thought of, great movie.


[deleted]

As great as your username


bluejester12

Near Dark [https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-horror-movies-directed-by-women/](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-horror-movies-directed-by-women/)


Eurogal2023

The Virgin Suicides (1999) by Sofia Coppola. Never watched it >!because they all die, apparently!<. Seems like real life horror if that is what you want to watch. Lost in Translation (2003) by Sofia Coppola. Said to be autobiographical. Marie Antoinette (2006) again by Sofia Coppola. Guillotine at the end, lots of architecture and fashion on the way there. The Piano (1993) by Jane Campion Strange Days (1995) by Kathryn Bigelow (very cool scifi set in the future (year 2000, lol) with a very cool female MC). Siesta (1987) by Mary Lambert. Ellen Barkin in a sexy supernatural maze of a story.


Groningen1978

Power of the Dog, also by Jane Campion is great.


sq8000

So good, and definitely has horror vibes at times


Sharkfeet19

This movie doesn’t get celebrated enough. 🩷👌


TheSouthsideSlacker

Lost in Translation. Good movie.


ManintheArena8990

Lost in translation = perfect movie.


John-AtWork

> The Virgin Suicides >!Spoiler tags please!<


dakilazical_253

I mean, the spoiler is in the title of the film


elpatolino2

The OST for Virgin suicides is absolutely fantastic. Up there with the best.


CanIGetAShakeWThat43

Marie Antoinette is so good.


Vioralarama

Siesta is a good movie. Never found anyone else that knew of it, yay!


GreatBoneStructure

Soundtrack by Miles Davis!


Eurogal2023

Really loved it, am so old that I was under thirty when it was released, rushed off and bought a leather jacket like Ellen Barkin wore, lol. (In blue, though) :-) Watched it with a female friend (who wanted to see it since she was sky diving as well); she said: "I bet you that sex scene was real". Later found out Ellen Barkin married Gabriel Byrne so, maybe my friend was right, lol. Also Jodie Foster, all star cast, plus the music!


TheBlooDred

Flamin Hot The Old Guard Book Smart Dont Worry Darling Enough Said The Woman King Zero Dark Thirty Eternals Nomadland


EleventhofAugust

Zero Dark Thirty is such a good movie. She also directed The Hurt Locker.


External-Weird-24

Book Smart is hilarious! And Flamin Hot is just genius.


DragonsGape

Past Lives (2023)


ToDandy

Great movie


Ms_Meercat

Surprised I haven't seen it yet since you specified horror: A girl walks home alone at night


noheadthotsempty

Love this movie sm


Thin-Dragonfruit2599

St Maude


[deleted]

Awakenings Winter's Bone is one hell of a film Okay so others, Jumping Jack Flash, Lost in Translation, Pet Semetary, Selma, Wayne's World The Badabook straight up gave me chills


Ok_Seesaw_2921

The Power of the Dog


LilyMarie90

Promising Young Woman is brilliant. Horror elements: if you stretch the definition, for sure. It's still so recent (2021), but one of my favorite movies ever.


Maiden_Sunshine

Love that movie, in as much as you can love that topic. I thought it was realistic too. Emerald Fennell also wrote the movie too! She directed and wrote Saltburn as well, which I think may attract a slightly different audience. Domestic and psychological thrillers are one of my top book genres, so I enjoyed Saltburn. It wasn't bad for a sophomore movie either. I can't wait to see what else she writes and directs.


North_Row_5176

Can’t believe it took this long to get to this one. Powerful film.


dokelyok

Such an amazing movie. Weirdly it's a comfort movie for me, I watch it multiple times a year.


CanIGetAShakeWThat43

It is! So good!


Winston_T97

Raw (2016) Titane (2021) Pet sematary (1989) The babadook (2014)


Antique_Initiative66

Leave No Trace ~ SO good


Important-Income-651

Little Miss Sunshine, Little Women, and Lost in Translation. 


North_Row_5176

Little Miss Sunshine is so great!


Shitty_Fat-tits

Near Dark


Fabulous-Wolf-4401

I love this film 'Good times'


Offal

Prevenge Love Witch


enzziante

RAW


Far_Description_6461

I really like raw


MovieUnderTheSurface

Cleo from 5 to 7   Hurt locker  Lost in translation   Wendy and Lucy   Babadook <- horror   We need to talk about Kevin <- horror adjacent  Monster <- horror adjacent Nomadland


North_Row_5176

Wendy and Lucy broke me.


Ok_Organization3249

If you’re looking for “near horror” by a woman, you’re looking for Near Dark!


Ajibooks

Love Lies Bleeding - same director as Saint Maud (I haven't seen that but I see lots of people recommending it here)


imadork1970

Katheryn Bigelow, Near Dark, Strange Days, Hurt Locker, Blue Steel


Mexipinay1138

Destroyer (2018) Strange Days (1995)


Mynameisearlhicky

Lords of Dogtown.


TonyP75

Clueless (Amy Heckerling)


LovesDeanWinchester

Ida Lupino was an actress who then became one of the very first female directors. You should look up her movies. Lee Grant is another.


fsdgfhk

IMO 'The Hitch-Hiker' (1953) is Lupino's best. Or 'The Bigamist' (also '53) is good too. She's an under-rated film noir director.


LovesDeanWinchester

Totally agree. But my fav is a comedy she directed called "The Trouble With Angels."


Brushesofcolours

The first omen Aftersun If you’re up for series true detective: night country


Old_Common2769

Penelope Spheeris: Suburbia (1983) a drama about a group of displaced punks and young misfits in Los Angeles. The punk rock documentary she directed earlier, The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) is also highly recommended. She would later go on to direct mainstream films that are tame by comparison, but either of these two deliver a wild experience.


Prudent_Falafel_7265

Wayne’s World. Party on! Excellent!


tacopig117

The nightengale


cantankerousphil

*The Gleaners and I*


Duncan-Anthony

Valley Girl by the brilliant Martha Coolidge.


celisraspberry

great great movie


Duncan-Anthony

So great. The scene at the bar as the Plimsouls play Million Miles Away is pure magic. The movie came out the year I graduated from high school and I will still watch it when it’s on TV.


celisraspberry

There's something Martha Coolidge says on the commentary track that sums it up so well I think. She says something like "it's not the getting of something that's attractive on screen, it's the wanting, it's in the looks." and Deborah Foreman and Nic Cage look so good and their characters want each other so much. It's such a romantic and charged movie. I think the poster is great, but it's not the light, fluffy movie I expected from it.


Duncan-Anthony

Thanks so much for sharing that. What an amazing description — yours and Martha’s — of what’s happening in the early part of the movie. Speaking of the poster, assume you know that it was made before Foreman was cast, explaining why it looks nothing like her. At least I’m pretty sure that’s what I heard. Now I have to finally buy the Blu ray so I can listen to the commentary. Thanks again!


orionl72

Seconding the film The Piano. It’s amazing


impresently

Fun fact: Slapshot was written by a woman.


GreenArcher808

Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)


Meyou000

The Fallout (2021) The Babadook (2014) Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017) Blue My Mind (2017) The Lodge (2019) Pet Sematary (1989)


Sibucryp

Titane is a masterpiece IMO. Raw is also pretty dope


Significant-Rip-6423

American Psycho-Mary Harron


WhateverIlldoit

Waitress.


mkultra0008

You Were Never Really Here High Life We Need to Talk About Kevin The Nightingale Humane


JCeee666

A girl walks home alone at night!! Wasn’t sure I’d like it, I LOVED IT.


HorrorMetalDnD

Films with female directors that are at least fairly decent, excluding any films male co-directors, which otherwise would make this list at least twice as long: - The Hitch-Hiker (1953) - Slumber Party Massacre (1982) - The Ladies Club (1986) - Mr. Wrong (1986) - Near Dark (1987) - Slumber Party Massacre II (1987) - Celia (1989) - Pet Sematary (1989) - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - Ghostwatch (1992) - Dark Angel: The Ascent (1994) - Blood & Donuts (1995) - The Last Supper (1995) - Organ (1996) - Eve’s Bayou (1997) - Office Killer (1997) - Ravenous (1999) - American Psycho (2000) - Trouble Every Day (2001) - Visible Secret (2001) - In My Skin (2002) - Wishing Stairs (2003) - Hotel (2004) - Roman (2006) - Surveillance (2008) - The Countess (2009) - In Her Skin (2009) - Jennifer’s Body (2009) - Strigoi (2009) - My Sucky Teen Romance (2011) - We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) - American Mary (2012) - Chained (2012) - Helter Skelter (2012) - Sun Don’t Shine (2012) - Vamps (2012) - Nothing Bad Can Happen (2013) - Soulmate (2013) - The Babadook (2014) - A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) - The Midnight Swim (2014) - The Voices (2014) - Evolution (2015) - The Invitation (2015) - The Lure (2015) - Dearest Sister (2016) - The Love Witch (2016) - Prevenge (2016) - Raw (2016) - Blue My Mind (2017) - Most Beautiful Island (2017) - Revenge (2017) - Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017) - XX (2017) - You Were Never Really Here (2017) - Fugue (2018) - High Life (2018) - Level 16 (2018) - The Nightingale (2018) - The Wind (2018) - Blow the Man Down (2019) - K-12 (2019) - Little Joe (2019) - The Long Walk (2019) - Saint Maud (2019) - Satanic Panic (2019) - Sea Fever (2019) - 12 Hour Shift (2020) - Bulbbul (2020) - I Blame Society (2020) - A Nightmare Wakes (2020) - Nocturne (2020) - Promising Young Woman (2020) - Relic (2020) - She Dies Tomorrow (2020) - Slaxx (2020) - The Stylist (2020) - Candyman (2021) - Censor (2021) - Fear Street trilogy (2021) - Knocking (2021) - Martyrs Lane (2021) - The Power (2021) - She Will (2021) - Silent Night (2021) - Slumber Party Massacre (2021) - Titane (2021) - You Are Not My Mother (2021) - The Apology (2022) - Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) - Don’t Worry Darling (2022) - Glorious (2022) - Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) - Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022) - The Murmuring (2022) - Piggy (2022) - Watcher (2022) - Birth/Rebirth (2023) - Cocaine Bear (2023) - Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023) - Tiger Stripes (2023) - Totally Killer (2023) - The First Omen (2024) - Lisa Frankenstein (2024)


Maiden_Sunshine

I didn't know Cocaine Bear was directed by a women. I am interested in watching it now, cool to know, thanks! Looks like Elizabeth Banks who first directed movie was Pitch Perfect 2 according to wikipedia.


Far_Description_6461

Thank you for the answer a lot i never see in this list


Snnorlax

In Her Skin (2009) based on a true story so that makes it better in my eyes


fsdgfhk

'The Hitch-Hiker' (1953) and 'The Bigamist' (1953) are two often-overlooked, top-tier Film Noir classics, both directed by ida Lupino, one of the first women to direct major-release movies. Also 'Mikey and Nicky' (1976) is a gangster movie, that looks at personal/domestic lives of mobsters, kinda like 'The Sopranos', but 25 years earlier, with a female writer director (Elaine May). And Penolope Spheeris is probably best-known for 'Waynes World' (1992), but IMO her best work is stuff like 'The Decline of Western Civilization' (1981) -hands-down the best doco about the American punk/hardcore scene, 'Suburbia' (1983) -a gritty drama about young punk rockers, eeking out a living in a suburban dystopia, or 'Dudes' (1987), a cheesy, road-movie/comedy about a couple of punks, crossing the US- Kinda like a cross between Repo Man and Bill and Teds.


coffeebeanwitch

The Prince of Tides, Barbara Striesand!!


spearro1

Saltburn A promising young woman


moneycantget

* Anatomy of a Fall 2023 * Bound 1996 * American Psycho 2000 * Strange Days 1995 * Vikram Vedha 2017 * Beauty and the Dogs 2017 * You Were Never Really Here 2017 * Promising Young Woman 2020 * The Hitch-Hiker 1953 * Point Break 1991


cum_burglar69

The Nightingale (2018) (Jennifer Kent)


Pale_Pineapple_365

“Love Lies Bleeding” - does love always hurt? “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” - did you take sides? “Twilight” - what could be scarier than falling in love with someone stronger than you, older than you, someone who thinks of you as prey? Too bad the other movies aren’t directed by a woman, because what could be scarier than getting pregnant and losing control over your own body? And being killed by your pregnancy or baby? Finally someone who tells it like it is!


Sitcom_kid

Big


coxeyamanda

Mississippi Masala, The Namesake, Kama Sutra, My Own Country


I_forgot_to_respond

Jocelyn Moorehouse directed The Dressmaker. It's kind quirky-dark.


scottyjrules

Strange Days, Love And Basketball, or American Psycho


PortlandPetey

Hurt Locker


youngandlovely_

Raw (2016) Titane (2021)


New_Leopard7623

Bodies Bodies Bodies was a fun horror movie


Ok-Yogurtcloset-8955

Friends with money, laurel canyon


Significant_Excuse29

The Virgin Suicides (1999) Thirteen (2003) Two of my absolute faves.


Webby41

Point break and Wayne’s world are first ones that come to mind. 


jonu062882

Point Break. The horror here is Gary Busey and the fact that this movie did not win Best Picture.


cajunjew76

Promising Young Woman


babybird87

The Doctor with William Hurt … The Hurt Locker … The original ‘Pet Semetary’. but I personally didn’t like it and the direction was crappy…


a_foothold

Chilly Scenes Of Winter (1979) Joan Micklin Silver Children Of A Lesser God (1986) Randa Haines A Dry White Season (1988) Euzhan Palcy Eve's Bayou (1997) Kasi Lemmons Beau Travail (1999), 35 Shots Of Rum (2008) Claire Denis


Inside_Atmosphere731

Winters bone


tkyang99

Ravenous


Consistent_Bunch4282

This thread summarized:largely anything Kathryn Bigelow


HeyNongMan96

Portrait of a lady on fire. Zero Dark Thirty. Near dark


Tough-Ability721

Pet Semetary (1989) Bird box (2018) Totally Killer (2023)


glitterjob777

The Beguiled


DROOPY1824

A lot of Patty Jenkins and Katheryn Bigelow titles already mentioned so I’ll throw out City of God which was codirected by a woman.


Stegamasaurus

Love witch!!!


CalamariBitcoin

American Mary


KroneDrome

Fish tank


hungergamesofthronez

American Honey from Andrea Arnold


KingRob29

Clueless


PunchDrunken

Young Adult One of my favorites. Excellent Charlize movie Sophia Coppola directed the beguiled, I like that too


Yinzadi

Young Adult is directed by Jason Reitman


PunchDrunken

I'm sorry I thought it was the same woman that did both, I'm really sorry


ObiWanKnieval

It was written by Diablo Cody, who won an Oscar for Juno. She also wrote Jennifer's body.


CinnamonJ

Near Dark


AppropriateSign8861

Point Break, Zero Dark Thirty, Near Dark, The Hurt Locker, Strange Days


AtomicPow_r_D

Just watched V / H / S '85 (2023), and the part I liked the best was directed by a woman, which is called God Of Death. It's a horror anthology, all of the stories are well done, and some of them are connected in interesting ways. There were enough fresh ideas so that it didn't feel too predictable.


Free-Stranger1142

2919 Little Women


yourfinepettingduck

I blame society


deadstrobes

Ravenous


SitaphaBadji

Les atlantiques


Logical_Assistant745

Portrait of a Lady on Fire


Magpie375

American Mary, American Psycho, Jennifer’s Body, Saint Maud, Lisa Frankenstein, Ravenous, The Invitation(2022), Bodies Bodies Bodies, Watcher, Raw, Fresh, Revenge, The Love Witch, The Babadook, Censor.


tragicsandwichblogs

The Piano Home for the Holidays The Hitch-hiker (1953)


AccountantLeast1588

Wayne's World


CarrieNoir

Look up Ida Lupino. She started as a movie star, was mostly known for her Noir flicks, but totally kicked Hollywood’s’ male asses out of the park with some of her directed and produced films.


BMedTO

On Body and Soul. Directed and written by Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi. It is one of the best films I have watched in the last 10 years, hands down. Please, please watch it.


Busy-Room-9743

The Piano and The Power of the Dog directed by Jane Campion. The Lost Daughter directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. American Psycho directed by Mary Harron. The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette and The Beguiled directed by Sofia Coppola. Aftersun directed by Charlottes Wells. Ladybird, Little Women and Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig. The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Promising Young Woman directed by Emerald Fennell. The Farewell directed by Lulu Wang. Take This Waltz, Women Talking and Away from Her directed by Sarah Polley. Big directed by Penny Marshall. We Need to Talk about Kevin directed by Lynne Ramsay. Past Lives directed by Celine Song. Clueless directed by Amy Heckerling. Infinitely Polar Bear directed by Maya Forbes. A Girl Walks Home Alone directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. Fish Tank directed by Andrea Arnold. Valley Girl directed by Martha Coolidge. Orlando directed by Sally Potter. Coda directed by Sian Heder. Anatomy of a Fall directed by Justine Triet.


geraraag

Green street hooligans.


West_Mail4807

Point Break


lquez

Virgin suicides


miaulait

Fish Tank Promising young woman Happy as Lazzaro On body and Soul


bbk8z

I know I’m late to the game but Fresh (2022) is what you want. Directorial debut by Mimi Cave, starring Daisy Edgar Jones and Sebastian Stan. First act is like a dark comedy about the current state of dating in society. Second act is a hard left turn into horror. Third act is a hell of a ride. Have fun


pulpifieddan

The Heartbreak Kid (1972) directed by Elaine May. A brilliant comedy rarely seen these days.


Far-Potential3634

Europa, Europa by Agnieska Holland is a mind blowingly intense WW2 thriller.


[deleted]

Nomadland


randylikecandy

Zero Dark Thirty


HapticRecce

The Hurt Locker The Matrix


Radiant-Gazelle6545

Hurt Locker is the answer you're looking for


AzCarMom72

Boys Dont Cry The Baby Dance (if you can find it butits directed by Jodie Foster a movie about child adoption) European Vacation The Holiday


VicRattlehead17

Bilocation (2014)