EJ Moreno looks at horror’s underrated final girls…
A Final Girl is defined as the “last girl(s) or woman alive to confront the killer, ostensibly the one left to tell the story.” But horror fans know that she’s much more than that.
From kicking ass to inspiring a younger generation, we’ve seen some iconic final girls that have made horror even better with their presence. Sadly, though, for all the Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescotts, plenty have been overlooked throughout the genre. We want to spotlight those iconic yet under-appreciated final girls in horror.
Spoilers ahead, as we will break down what made these women so memorable, including how they disposed of their foes. Be sure to let us know your favorite underrated final girls…
Suzy Bannion – Suspiria (1977)
In the decade that launched the trope of a final girl, it would be a 70s Italian horror that gave us an early example of a trendsetter.
What Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) did in Suspiria was unmatched. Not only did she survive the film, but she indeed came out on top. Other 70s final girls like Laurie Strode and Sally Hardesty survived their movies but were left battered with their foes on the run. Not Suzy Bannion, though; this girl took down a powerful witch coven and stayed stunning.
Jessica Harper plays the role perfectly, giving Dario Argento one of his best leading ladies and one of the best OG final girls.
Ginny – Friday The 13th Part 2 (1981)
Friday The 13th is an iconic franchise but doesn’t provide the same number of iconic final girls as its slasher peers.
Ginny is the expectation; not only is she one of the franchise’s best survivors, but she also does so in quite a powerful way. She uses mind games to utter perfection, allowing herself to get the upper hand on a freshly enraged Jason Voorhees. Ginny takes a whooping but plays the “mommy card” perfectly against the ultimate horror momma’s boy.
Amy Steel doesn’t get enough credit for her fantastic work in this early slasher and for giving the franchise one of its only good final girls.
Kirsty Cotton – Hellraiser (1987)
The 1980s were so packed with final girls that we had to include two. Although Kirsty Cotton is so good that she might be the decade’s best.
You’d think making it out of a Hellraiser film would be near-impossible, but Kirsty Cotton does it with style. And for those keeping stats at home, she was one of only two characters to face Pinhead and outwit him. That alone should put her in the ranks of Laurie or Sidney, but Ashley Laurence’s performance has been long underrated.
Her repeated appearances in the franchise make her one of the best final girls, especially her masterful work in the 1988 sequel.
Jeryline – Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
The 90s lacks final girl contenders. We have Sidney Prescott, but who else? Just give Demon Knight a revisit to answer that.
Jada Pinkett Smith is best known to horror fans for her Scream 2 opening kill, but an often-forgotten horror film called Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight showcased her skills. Not only does she kick ass throughout, but she gives women of color a long overdue final girl. She’s not only a great character but important to horror overall.
If you can take this entry as anything, use it as a reason to revisit Demon Knight. Go for the final girl; stay for wacky Billy Zane.
Beth Salinger – Hostel: Part II (2007)
After the near-perfect sausage fest that is Hostel, Eli Roth gender swaps for the sequel and gave us one of the most unique final girls.
Serving as the main protagonist of Hostel II, we follow Beth (Lauren German) as she attempts to survive the Elite Hunting Club. As we saw in the first outing, it’s not an easy task, and even if you make it out, you aren’t the same. That’s what happens with Beth, who survives the ordeal by becoming a player in the twisted game and buying her way out.
As one of the morally ambiguous picks for this list, Lauren German gives horror fans someone not-so-perfect to root for, which is what we want.
Maddie – Hush (2016)
When it comes to Mike Flanagan, the man knows how to craft a scare, but his secret weapon is his frequent leading lady (and wife), Kate Siegel.
One of their best collaborations is Hush, the often-overlooked horror film from 2016. Featuring Siegel as Maddie, a deaf woman faced with a masked killer, the performance is lovely and feels so powerful. Maddie’s disability is a focal point, but it never once used to nerf her to incompetence. She’s not a superhero but also more innovative than most.
Kate Siegel has plenty of great examples of her power in horror, especially in Gerald’s Game, but Maddie feels like a classic final girl yet updated.
Naru – Prey (2022)
One reason for making this list was to spotlight Prey and the work Amber Midthunder did to bring Naru to life in this latest Predator film.
A theme throughout the women selected for this list is strong women who are also flawed, real characters. While in an action-filled horror film, you could easily have Naru play a John Wick-type badass, but the film was smart enough to give her an arc and a reason to root for her. You want to care for a great final girl, and it’s hard not to root for Naru.
With a killer journey through the film and a solid final act that places her right in the action, Naru feels like the first real final girl of the 2020s.
SEE ALSO: Who is the Best Final Girl in Horror?
Which underappreciated horror final girls do you think are worthy of a spot on this list? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
EJ Moreno
