Samantha Eggar- The Brood (1979)

Horror and Cronenberg. The two were synonymous in the late 70's and 80's. With disturbing hits like The Fly (Cronenberg, 1986), Videodrome (1983), The Dead Zone (1983), and The Brood (1979), Cronenberg placed himself alongside the elite horror auteur directors. In The Brood, the primary villain is Nola Carveth, wife and mother and today's Ultimate Woman of Horror.

Known for his visual style and unique gore effects, David Cronenberg is responsible for modernizing the horror genre with gritty films that challenged the a genre that was staying alive with mindless sequels. Paving the way for his later works, The Brood is an interesting take on the mother in the horror genre. In a paper I wrote as an undergrad, I defined the two forms of mothers in horror films as either the killer or the creator. It is how these two categories interestingly combine that makes the films so intriguing.

Nola Carveth is the epitome of the terrifying horror mother, ranking up there with the likes of Mrs. White in Carrie (DePalma, 1976). With a "brood" of demonic offspring, Nola sets out to attack the members of her family. Eggar's performance is edgy and proves that she is an actress willing to take risks in her roles. This risks pay off here, and showcase a character that transforms physically and mentally. (No spoilers given here!)

The Brood is at the top of the heap for gritty horror films of the 70's and Eggar is a prime example of a terrifying horror film mother. I'm sure the suspense is just killing you all, as the Ultimate Horror Women list is coming to a close. Who is going to be the #1 Woman of Horror? You'll just have to wait and find out! Be sure to check back tomorrow as the next woman is revealed!

Catherine O'Hara- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

In the beginning of his career, Tim Burton wrote a book entitled The Nightmare Before Christmas based on sketches he had been working on since his time at Disney. These wonderfully gothic illustrations became the classic Halloween/Christmas film The Nightmare Before Christmas (Selick, 1993). Today, the Ultimate Woman of Horror is Catherine O'Hara, who voiced the character of Sally.

Whenever one thinks of this film that breathed fresh life into the stop-motion technique, one assumes that Tim Burton directed it, but it was in fact directed by Henry Selick, who later went on to direct James and the Giant Peach (1996) and Coraline (2009), both revolutionary in their own right. In this dark fable, Jack Skellington is aided by the strong-willed rag doll, Sally. O'Hara's soft vocals give an instant vulnerability that makes her the most relatable character in the film. While Jack is out to take over Christmas, Sally is at his side, loyal and determined to protect him. She even puts herself in the hands of Oogie Boogie to save Jack and Santa Claus.

Sally was created by Dr. Finklestein, a clear nod to the classic Frankenstein story, and as Burton's take on the "monster," she rebels against her creator to try to gain her own independence. She tires of being his servant and wishes nothing more than to be with Jack. Sally is a lovely character, and O'Hara's rendition of "Sally's Song" is heartbreaking and beautifully poetic.

Nothing says fall quite like a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was lucky enough to see this film on the big screen when it was re-released in 3D about 5 years ago. The 3D was nothing spectacular, but seeing the characters that I had grown up loving on the screen, larger than life, was a spectacle in itself. As Halloween is a week away, dust off your copy of this classic and relive the magic that is The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Check back tomorrow for more glorious Ultimate Women of Horror!

Gloria Holden- Dracula's Daughter (1936)

The Universal Monster films rank at the absolute top of the horror genre for me. There is nothing quite like sitting down with one of these classics and being transported to the early days of the film industry when horror was still heavily influenced by German Expressionism, and not ruled by the values of trashy films like Hostel (Roth, 2005). Today, the Ultimate Woman of Horror is Gloria Holden from the classic sequel Dracula's Daughter (Hillyer, 1936).

With its subtle use of shadow, score, and suggestion, Dracula's Daughter tells the tale of Countess Marya Zaleska, a young Hungarian woman who steals the corpse of Dracula and cremates it. Afterwards, bodies turn up in London, and suspicion finally turns to Marya. The Countess is not, in fact, Dracula's daughter, but she is a vampire and goes on a bit of a rampage herself. Holden's performance is able to save a film that otherwise would be mediocre.

In a time when monsters were always men, Dracula's Daughter breaks the mold and paves the way for films such as Cat People (Tourneur, 1942) where the narrative revolves around the female protagonist. Up to this point, women in Universal Monster films were reduced to the victim in the boudoir while Dracula or Frankenstein slowly approach. This particular film even goes so far as to push the envelope in regards to sexual representation, as the Countess is a sexually expressive woman.

While Dracula's Daughter may not be the best film of the Universal canon, it still is incredibly entertaining and provides and interesting look at the woman of the early horror film industry.

Check back tomorrow for more exciting Women of Horror!

Aaliyah- Queen of the Damned (2002)

August 25th of this year marked the 10 year anniversary of the tragic death of 22-year-old R&B singer and actress, Aaliyah. The talented young woman was most known for her music career, but she was also in a few feature films, as well. So, today, she is given the honor of Ultimate Woman of Horror for her role as Queen Akasha in Queen of the Damned (Rymer, 2002).

Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles reinvigorated the literary horror genre, and created a new vampire to frighten and entertain readers. With Interview With The Vampire (Jordan, 1994), viewers were able to relate to the likable and distraught self-hating vampire Louis, the character responsible for figures like Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

While Queen of the Damned is a flawed film in many regards, it is a film full of sexual tension and quality vampirism. This is how vampires should be shown. We all know that Stephanie Meyer set vampires (not to mention women) back several decades with her creation of the Twilight saga. It is with strong female vampires like Akasha and Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) in Interview and vampire hunters like Buffy and Faith that viewers and readers need to turn when faced with weak female protagonists such as Bella Swan.

As she is only in the last third of the film, Aaliyah was faced with quite a difficult task, to change our loyalties from Lestat to her. This is easily done as Stuart Townsend's performance is mediocre at best, but with her commanding performance, Aaliyah makes the audience forget all about the awkward gothic music scene that fills the first portion of the film and makes you believe that she has in fact been there all along. This film may not be the most critically acclaimed of vampire films, but it is gothic eye candy at its finest. Townsend and Aaliyah have an intense sexual chemistry that would make Edward Cullen blush and helps prove that vampires can be sexy without giving in to male dominance. Akasha runs the show here, and there is no question about that.

It is with a heavy heart that we remember Aaliyah ten years after the tragic accident that resulted in her death. We will never know how far her career would have gone, but we do know that in the short life she led, she made a huge impact on the music and film industries.

R.I.P. Aaliyah (1979-2001)

Check back tomorrow for more awesome women of horror.

Miranda Richardson- Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Now some of you are probably thinking that this choice may be a bit hypocritical, seeing as I placed a good bit of doubt in the Burton adaptation of Dark Shadows yesterday. And there may be a bit of truth in that, but regardless, today the Ultimate Woman of Horror is Miranda Richardson from Sleepy Hollow (Burton, 1999).

Sleepy Hollow may not be the best horror film of all time, but it is one that contains a decent enough plot, likable characters, interesting villains, and cinematography that is to die for. The visuals alone are worth the respect of the viewer. In fact, an entire chapter of my undergrad Intro. to Film course text book analyzed this film. Richardson's Lady Van Tassel steals the show here, and even outdoes the horseman himself. That is a true feat, seeing as the horseman is played by the excellent Christopher Walken.

Here is a woman so villainous, that her calling of the horseman endangers, and ultimately kills, the majority of the Sleepy Hollow townspeople. It's always fun when the most glamourous women on screen turn out to be the villain. With her intricate and ornate costumes, Richardson outshines Christina Ricci and adds a level of class to the film. Richardson is one of my favorite actresses, and truly shines in every performance she is given. Even in her few minutes on screen in Paris je t'aime (2006), Richardson is able to embody such intense emotion that it is heartbreaking to watch. It is wonderful to see her in such a fun role as Lady Van Tassel, where she gets to prove that she can be as campy and glorious as we expected.

With the exception of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Sleepy Hollow marks the peak of Tim Burton's creative legacy. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), but with the release of Planet of the Apes (2001), Burton as we know it started to slowly wane as the creative genius we had come to know and love leading to the travesty that was Alice in Wonderland (2010). Hopefully with Dark Shadows, Burton will be able to reinvigorate his career. If Sweeney Todd is any proof, there is still hope and a great deal of it. So, Tim Burton, here's to you. Over the past 20 years, you have given us one incredible filmography, filled with honorable heroines played by wonderful actresses. Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jessica Lange all delivered exceptional performances and truly enhanced your films to their potential. With Big Fish (2003), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Batman (1989) in mind, let's hope that Burton will be able to return to his roots and give us the Dark Shadows film that we have been waiting for.

And just for the heck of it, here's another wonderful picture of Miranda Richardson in all of her glory as Lady Van Tassel.

Check back tomorrow for another exciting addition to the Ultimate Women of Horror!

The Women of Dark Shadows (1966-1971)

Hey there, film kids! Today, we're taking a step back from the film industry and taking a look at horror television, again. We're taking a trip back to 1966, when the first gothic soap opera began gracing the TV screen, and beaming some of the most memorable characters into American households. The honor of Ultimate Horror Woman is given to all of the women of Dark Shadows.

Prior to the creation of Barnabas Collins, legendarily played by Jonathan Frid, Dark Shadows featured plots that dealt with mysteries instead of the supernatural, where the later episodes thrived. In the beginning, there was just Victoria Winters, the lovely Alexandra Moltke, trying to uncover the mystery surrounding her birth parents while tutoring young David Collins. Moltke, even after the introduction of vampire Barnabas, was the star of the show. To be honest, unlike most of the show's fans, I prefer the episodes that focused solely on Vicky. Winters was an independent and strong woman who is capable of investigating any mysterious situation that comes up while staying at Collinwood, the Collins' palatial estate.

Adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the show, Joan Bennett portrays the head of the Collins family, Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard. The mystery surround Liz's husbands disappearance is one that is the subject of many an episode.

It is a well-known fact that many of the actors involved with the show portrayed multiple characters over the five year run. Grayson Hall is a great example of this. Hall's Dr. Julia Hoffman is friend and confidante to Barnabas and is determined to develop a cure for his vampirism. A personal favorite of Hall's roles is gypsy Magda.

Maggie Evans, played by Kathryn Leigh Scott, is friend to Vicky, hostage of Barnabas, and girlfriend to Joe Haskell. Scott's Maggie is an honorable character that is first in line to give advice or support to Vicky as she struggles with life in Collinsport.

Finally, there is Angelique, played to campy perfection by Lara Parker. Barnabas found his match/love interest in Parker's Angelique, the ultimate portrayal of a witch in pop culture history. Angelique was a fascinating character and proved that female villains can be the most interesting.

Dark Shadows has featured some of the most unique women in the horror genre to date. This show set the stage for later genre favorites like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Angel. Without it, the horror genre would not be nearly as popular on television as it is today. This gothic soap opera produced more than 1,000 episodes, and the low-budget and fast-paced production give the show a charm that I have yet to experience in any other horror production.

Tim Burton's movie remake of this show is scheduled for a May 2012 release. While normally, I would say that Burton's gothic sensibilities are a perfect fit for the film, some early production photos featuring Johnny Depp as a translucently pale (as in a skin tone that would make Edward Cullen look tan) Barnabas, I am a bit skeptical and nervous that the film will achieve its full potential. That being said, I am incredibly excited to see Eva Green's portrayal of Angelique, Helena Bonham-Carter's Julia, and Michelle Pfeiffer's Elizabeth.

But, we will always have this classic show to turn to when we need that dose of campy gothic horror at its finest.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another exciting addition to the Ultimate Women of Horror!

Rose McGowan- Planet Terror (2007)

Grindhouse (Rodriguez and Tarantino, 2007) is one of my favorite movie theatre experiences ever. Planet Terror (Rodriguez) is my favorite of the two portions, and this is mainly due to Rose McGowan's performance as Cherry Darling.

It is this go-go dancer turned gun-legged warrior that is the driving force behind the film. While every minor role is performed incredibly well, McGowan's Cherry steals the show as she goes head-to-head with the zombie mutants that are devouring the town. Cherry may be a go-go dancer, but she is an incredibly strong woman, willing to put her life at risk to end the zombie apocalypse.

McGowan, famous for her role in Scream (Craven, 1996) and Charmed has made a career out of roles within the genre. In Planet Terror, she pays tribute to the women of the infamous grindhouse films of the 70's. By combining the horror elements with the trashy female exploitation films, the film is able to provide an incredibly entertaining experience for the viewer.

Not only is McGowan the star of the Planet Terror portion of Grindhouse, she also plays the first victim of Stuntman Mike in the Death Proof (Tarantino) portion. In both roles, McGowan gives it her all and proves that women in these films can be strong and not be controlled by the men in their lives.

Keep checking back for more Ultimate Women of Horror!