4 of the Most Resilient Final Girls in Horror Movies
You’ve got to love a final girl who continues to fight in the face of several horrific events
Beneath the terrifying screams and crazed antagonists, several horror movies have mastered the element of a strong-willed final girl who fights against all odds to survive an unexpected yet perilous situation.
The presence of a final girl gives the audience someone to root for as we sit on the edge of our seats with anticipation, hoping that our protagonist musters up the strength to survive to the end.
Although final girls are the victims of horrific circumstances, they refuse to hold onto this mentality and fight, wrestle, or claw their way out of their various dilemmas.
In many cases, they are the backbone of horror movies and show the undeniable strength of female protagonists.
From Sydney Prescott in “Scream” to Grace Le Domas in “Ready or Not,” final girls certainly add some much-needed depth and suspense to the horror genre.
That’s enough chatting; let’s discuss these resilient final girls!
1.) Grace Le Domas in “Ready or Not” (2019)
Comedy meets horror in this unpredictable film, which will captivate you until the very end. In “Ready or Not,” we meet the blushed bride, Grace, whose first night as a married woman takes a disturbing turn when she is forced to participate in a sinister game with her new family members.
What caught my attention in this film is the drastic change we see in Grace’s character. Initially, she is an ecstatic bride, but as night draws near and the game ensues, Grace becomes a resourceful protagonist determined to survive at all costs.
Although Grace experiences her share of painful moments, she remains focused on her goal of survival while also facing feelings of betrayal by her husband and his family. Grace adapts to her peculiar situation throughout the game and becomes incredibly clever.
In addition, the ending of this film completely blew me away. It showcased Grace as an underestimated character who rose to the occasion and prioritized herself.
2.) Erin Harson in “You’re Next” (2011)
Meeting your significant other’s family is a milestone many cherish in a relationship. However, no one expects to experience a violent home invasion before they’ve even exchanged greetings with their boyfriend’s parents.
Unfortunately, that’s the reality of a young woman named Erin, who accompanies her boyfriend to meet his parents, siblings, and partners for a weekend getaway. However, an evening filled with food and family drama becomes a bloody affair when several masked assailants attack the entire family.
Who knew meeting your boyfriend’s family would turn into a deadly evening?
When the assailants begin to attack the family, it’s clear that Erin won’t go down without a fight. Unbeknownst to the attackers, Erin is quite the survivalist and uses her knowledge of weapons and specific tactics to overpower the attackers and help those around her.
Later, Erin discovers a shocking revelation about the masked intruders, which further fuels her need to survive. This film showcases the effects of being in the wrong place at the wrong time while highlighting that you never know the lengths someone will go to ensure their safety.
3.) Tree Gelbman in “Happy Death Day” (2017)
I’m sure we would love to revisit the beautiful moments in our lives. Whether it’s the birth of a child or a fun day with friends, there are times when we wish to press the rewind button and venture to the past.
Well, in “Happy Death Day,” our protagonist, Tree, relives the same moment day after day, but it isn’t a pleasant experience as the event she constantly relives is her murder. To end this continuous loop, Tree’s only option is to defeat the killer before it’s too late.
This film has a comedic nature, which complements Tree and her personality, especially as she tries to uncover her killer’s identity. As a final girl, Tree is a persistent character who employs the help of a classmate to unravel this mystery.
As she relives each day, Tree better understands how the killer operates and uses this knowledge to her advantage. Throughout the film, Tree ‘dies’ in many horrendous ways, and although she wakes up in pain from her previous escapades, this only makes her more determined to unmask her killer.
By the film’s end, it’s clear that Tree is retaking control of her life and ending this murderous loop. You’ve got to love a final girl who continues to fight in the face of several horrific events.
4.) Sydney Prescott in the “Scream Franchise” (1996–)
Throughout the “Scream” franchise, Sydney is targeted by the Ghost Face killers, making her life chaotic and unpredictable. In every film, it’s clear that Sydney cannot catch a break, no matter what she does!
In the first film, Sydney is in the process of healing from the murder of her mother when Ghostface begins terrorizing the citizens of Woodsboro. At first, the killings seem random and unrelated, but after some encounters with the masked maniac, Sydney discovers that the killer will stop at nothing to end her life.
Despite Sydney’s obstacles, this film highlights the importance of friends and community. To this end, Sydney is close friends with Dewey, the Deputy Sheriff, and they have a close-knit bond.
When Dewey becomes aware that Sydney is in danger, he works tirelessly to ensure her safety and protect the residents of Woodsboro.
Throughout the franchise, Sydney constantly stands up for herself and learns to trust her gut. She also evolves as a person, and we witness the toll that the Ghostface killers have taken on her life.
Undoubtedly, Sydney is one of the most treasured final girls in the horror genre.
That’s it for this article!
Who are some of your favorite final girls?
Thanks for reading!
