17 of the Best Scary Lesbian Horror Films, Thrillers, and TV Series to Watch
Although Chia and I are both scared of horror movies (see our comic here), that doesn’t mean we won’t watch one especially if it features a good lesbian storyline or wlw scene. And while we’re less afraid of watching psych and crime thrillers, we still need to turn on all of the lights in our home afterwards. But we never say no to a good lesbian character or plot. 😅
As with so many lesbian movies and TV shows though, horror films and thrillers rarely meet the bar when it comes to great acting, storyline, cinematography, etc. Many are incoherent or simply too tacky to enjoy.
So here’s a list of scary lesbian movies, thrillers, and shows that are actually worth watching for a spooky date night, Halloween, or whenever you want!
Scary Lesbian Movies & Thrillers:
1. Thelma
Thelma is a Norwegian supernatural thriller. Thelma is a lonely and repressed young woman who begins college in Oslo, Norway and starts to experience extreme seizures. She soon learns that the violent episodes are a symptom of inexplicable, and often dangerous, supernatural abilities and that when her feelings for another female student, Anja, triggers uncontrollable psychokinetic powers.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes, but there are some lingering questions…
Watch the full movie here.
2. Lizzie
Lizzie is a biographical thriller based on the true story of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of the gruesome axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1892. The movie stars Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart who share a lesbian romance together and have a lot of on-screen chemistry. If you’re interested in the back story behind the Lizzie Borden murders, you can read more here.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes, but the lesbians don’t end up together (probably for the better).
Watch the full movie here.
3. The Handmaiden
The Handmaiden is South Korean erotic psychological thriller and based on Park Chan-Wook’s adaptation of Sarah Waters’ . It’s a superbly well done movie with a gripping plot and characters that are thrilling, sexy, horrifying, and empowering as well. It also has a romantic and happy ending which makes it even more worthwhile to watch! This is one of our Fingersmith favorite lesbian movies of all time.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes, in the best possible way! 🌈
Watch the full movie here.
4. Monster
Monster is a biographical crime drama film written and directed by Patty Jenkins about serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a former street prostitute who murdered seven of her male clients between 1989 and 1990 and was executed in Florida in 2002. It stars Charlize Theron who won an Academy Award for her role as Wuornos, and Christina Ricci as her semi-fictionalized lover, Selby Wall (based on Wuornos’s real-life girlfriend Tyria Moore).
Does it have a happy ending? No, but the movie is still so good and a must-watch.
Watch the full movie here.
5. May
May is a psychological horror film that follows a lonely young woman traumatized by a difficult childhood, and her increasingly desperate attempts to connect with the people around her. The lesbian scenes happen between May and her colleague, Polly, who begins making moves on May.
Does it have a happy ending? No, not at all, but it’s got all the gory horror you would want in a horror movie.
Watch the full movie here.
6. Brides to Be
Brides to Be is a dark thriller that’s the follow-up of Together Forever. Robin and Jenna are getting married and while Robin is excited beyond words, Jenna is plagued by panic attacks and struggles to write her vows. But when they arrive at their secluded fairy-tale venue, sinister forces besiege them, threatening to tear them apart.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes, thankfully! 🌈
Watch the full movie here.
Scary Lesbian TV Series:
7. The Haunting of Bly Manor
The Haunting of Bly Manor is an American supernatural horror drama series that tells of a young au pair, Dani, hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises. The beautiful lesbian relationship that unfolds happens between Dani and the gardener, Jamie. See our post here on the 32 sweetest moments between Jamie and Dani in Bly Manor.
Does it have a happy ending? Not in the traditional sense, but the bittersweet ending does give you some hope and the lesbian love story is sooo worth it.
Watch the full series here.
8. Ratched
Ratched is a psychological thriller series based on Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and starring Sarah Paulson. A young nurse, Mildred Ratched (Paulson), begins working at a leading psychiatric hospital in 1947, but beneath her stylish exterior lurks a growing darkness and secret. The lesbian relationship happens between Ratched and Gwendolyn Briggs (played by Cynthia Nixon), who is the Governor’s press secretary and campaign manager.
Does it have a happy ending? So far… the series is still ongoing.
Watch the full series here.
9. Mindhunter
Mindhunter is a crime thriller that centers around FBI agents Holden Ford, Bill Tench, and psychologist Wendy Carr (who is the main lesbian character). They operate the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit and interview imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think, with the hope of applying this knowledge to solve ongoing cases. It takes place in the late 1970s as the FBI tries to expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters.
Does it have a happy ending? So far… the series is still ongoing.
Watch the full series here.
10. Dead to Me
Dead to Me is an American drama series created by Liz Feldman. The story revolves around a powerful friendship that blossoms between Jen, an uptight widow and Judy, a free spirit with a shocking secret. The lesbian relationship occurs in the second season between Judy and Michelle after they meet at the senior living center where Judy works and Michelle’s mom is staying.
Does it have a happy ending? Kinda, but it’s getting crazy… the series is still ongoing.
Watch the full series here.
11. Killing Eve
Killing Eve is a gripping British drama spy thriller TV series that features the talented Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. The show follows Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), a British intelligence investigator tasked with capturing the charming psychopathic assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). As the chase progresses, the two develop a mutual obsession with one another.
Does it have a happy ending? So far every season has brought Eve and Villanelle closer together… the series is still ongoing.
Watch the full series here.
12. I’m Not Okay With This
I’m Not Okay with This is a coming-of-age drama series based on the comic book of the same name by Charles Forsman. It centers around a teenager who navigates the complexities of high school, family and her sexuality while dealing with her newly discovered superpowers.
Does it have a happy ending? It’s still underdeveloped and sadly the series has been canceled after one season due to COVID, but it’s still worth watching!
Watch the full series here.
13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
This is a throwback to the 90s. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural thriller about a young woman, Buffy, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends. It features one of the OG lesbian ships on TV between Tara and and Willow.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes for the overall series, but no in terms of the lesbian relationship though it’s still worth watching!
Honorary Lesbian Horror Films & Thrillers Mention:
These are not truly lesbian films or shows but do feature some WLW scenes or a minor lesbian side character.
14. A Simple Favor
A Simple Favor is a crime thriller film based on the novel of the same name that stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. The story centers around a small town vlogger, Stephanie (Kendrick) who tries to solve the disappearance of her mysterious and elegant friend, Emily (Lively). While this is not truly a lesbian movie, both lead actresses have a ton of chemistry together and Kendrick and Lively share a super sexy kiss in one of the scenes. If anything, you should just watch this movie for the eye candy-Blake Lively in suits is to die for.
Does it have a happy ending? Everyone got the best ending for their character… but you really only need to watch this movie for Blake Lively.
Watch the full movie here.
15. The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House was the first series in the Haunting anthology that came before The Haunting of Bly Manor. It’s a supernatural horror drama loosely based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Shirley Jackson. The plot alternates between two timelines, following five adult siblings whose paranormal experiences at Hill House continue to haunt them in the present day, and flashbacks depicting events leading up to the eventful night in 1992 when the family fled from the mansion. One of the siblings, Theo Crane, is an out and proud lesbian who plays a complex and important character in the series. Many of the cast members from this series are also in The Haunting of Bly Manor.
Does it have a happy ending? Yes, but not without tragedy.
Watch the full movie here.
16. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a crime thriller featuring Rooney Mara (who also stars in Carol) based on the Swedish novel of the same name. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander (Mara), a young computer hacker, who also happens to like women.
Does it have a happy ending? Kinda, but it’s a dark movie.
Watch the full movie here.
17. Black Swan
Black Swan is a psychological thriller featuring ballerinas Nina (Natalie Portman) and Lily (Mila Kunis). After the prima ballerina is forced into retirement, artistic director Thomas Leroy searches for a new dancer to portray the dual role of the innocent White Swan and the sensual Black Swan. Nina auditions for the role and gives a flawless performance as the White Swan, but fails to embody the Black Swan. The newcomer, Lily (Mila Kunis), on the other hand embodies the Black Swan perfectly. While the rivalry between Nina and Lily gradually turns into a perverse, fascinating friendship and romance, Nina slowly discovers her dark side.
Does it have a happy ending? No… but the movie is beautifully done and Natalie Portman won an Academy Award for her performance.
Watch the full movie here.
For more, check out our Ultimate List of Lesbian Movies to Watch.
Originally published at https://sesamebutdifferent.com on October 31, 2020.
