Horror posters: Female stereotype

This image has two different representations of women in Horror movies. The first thing we notice about the poster is that the actor Milla Jovovich is wearing a sexy red dress feeding itself to the male gaze, her dress blends into the red and blood indicated background for the horror theme. Next we see the aggressive woman standing behind her looking as if she is ready to fight. Both stereotypes of women are here in some aspects, we see that Milla is bearing a gun in her sexy look which also feeds into the male gaze as they would be expecting to see a sexy woman killing in an action horror. The devilish stare she is giving to the audience shows her dominance on the photo and doesn't portray innocence and fear like the typical female horror stereotype. Throughout the resident evil film series she always has a show of dominance and masculinity to the audience, but also a huge sexual appeal.

This poster is for the movie Dracula, I have looked at many posters and images for this film ranging from the classic to modern day remakes. This poster stereotypes the woman to be defenceless and overpowered by the man, it shows the beautiful woman passed out whilst the monster overlooks her. This woman is the damsel in distress and needs a hero to save her because she wont be able to do it herself.

Halloween is a classic example of a different type of female stereotype in horror, the main character laurie is the smart, less attractive, role model student who has never been with a guy or had sex. throughout the film she shows her stereotype as sometimes a defenceless female but overcomes it by defeating the villain using her brains. In most films the stupid female would scream and run around a dark house or scenario where the monster would chase her and toil with her. A typical female in this type of film who we would see get slaughtered would be the blonde cheerleader type who is having sex, the guy would be killed and we would see the wreckage of a scared, defenceless woman on the floor crying.

In the film alien the main character appears as a strong maculine like female who has many male characteristics.

She is the final girl in the film and because she isnt struck with love and romance she can get on with everything. This is the kind of girl who doesnt care about her appearance and isnt afraid to be violent. In the image you can see that she doesnt look scared of the alien as it grabs her but she looks as if she is fighting against it and wont let go of the ladder, whereas others would look frightened and cave under the pressure.