B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the Good for Her horror subgenre into the ol’ VCR. 

I truly can’t express how much I love the Good for Her subgenre. But, that’s never stopped me from trying. 

I love the idea that we’re reclaiming the narrative and sympathizing with characters who have often been classified as villains or evil. Carrie was bullied. Mary was assaulted. Cassie was looking out for girls and femme-presenting peeps everywhere. 

“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” 

Many of these characters were put through RINGER, but that part of the story is often glazed over. Conveniently. 

I feel like this should go without saying, but I do want to be clear. I’m not here to condone violence or anything in that vein. I’m only supporting the ideas of karma and standing up for yourself. Please don’t recreate any of the violence or dangerous stunts within these movies. 

Alrighty, back to the commentary. 

Before we get to the much-awaited list I’ve made, I have a couple of hot takes I feel like I should go ahead and throw out. 

First and foremost, y’all know I LOVE Jennifer’s Body. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time, and I even have a Jennifer Check tattoo. HOWEVER, the “Good for Her” in Jennifer’s Body, in my opinion, belongs to Needy, not Jennifer. Jennifer reminds me so much of toxic friends I’ve had in the past, and I don’t think she bears the same level of innocence of some of these other women. 

Jennifer was unfairly sacrificed, and I fully understand that vantage point. But, you can’t ignore the fact that she took advantage of Needy and killed a couple of innocent dudes, including Needy’s boyfriend, because she was jealous of Needy. 

Not to put my heart on my sleeve, but this outfit has always bothered me for some reason.

Secondly, I’m not a big fan of The Love Witch. I know a lot of people include it on the Good for Her lists, but it’s not my jam. I’ve tried to watch it multiple times, and it isn’t for me. As I always say, just because I think a movie is bad doesn’t make it a bad movie, and just because I like a movie doesn’t mean it’s a good movie. 

With all of the particulars and hot takes out of the way, I present to you my favorite Good for Her movies within the horror and horror-adjacent subgenres: 

• Midsommar 
• Carrie
• The Rage: Carrie 2 
• Ready or Not
• American Mary
• You’re Next 
• Teeth 
• Promising Young Woman

I give Grace major props for lasting so long because I’ve dumped people for tiny things, let alone having to play a deadly game because their family made a deal with the devil for wealth and notoriety. 

Honorable mention 

I feel like I can justify Promising Young Woman as technically being horror-adjacent, but throwing Poor Things in the mix is pushing it. However, I do think it deserves a shoutout. Bella grows into her own person and doesn’t tether herself to societal expectations. Throughout the film, she explores the world, her body, and her wants without letting men hold her back. You go, girl.