The evil woman in cinematic realms: the evolution of supernatural female antagonists in English-speaking North American fantasy and horror film of the 21st century

Zogall, Gabriela (2021). The evil woman in cinematic realms: the evolution of supernatural female antagonists in English-speaking North American fantasy and horror film of the 21st century. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis argues that with the beginning of the 21st century new notions of the vilified woman who possesses supernatural powers have emerged in American horror and dark fantasy cinema. These notions of a fantastical film antagonist conceptualised as the Evil Woman are concerned with depictions of female power that oppose normality in American culture and patriarchal hegemony, by investigating the context of American socio-cultural and political attitudes, feminist psychoanalysis and female power as a threat to traditional American values.

In addition, this concept brings the factor of the ‘voice’ of the Evil Woman into the investigation and explores the development of contemporary female antagonistic characters who are bearers of independence, communicate female issues and criticise a flawed patriarchal system including capitalism, as well as contemporary notions of feminism. This voice delivers female-centred messages and is intended to reach a female audience rather than to please the male gaze.

This is the written defence of a practice-based study that aims to investigate creative alternatives to feminist-informed film criticism. The performative research methods used aim to interrogate the boundaries of theoretical feminist film criticism by tearing down the general invisibility of the researcher.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):