News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Women who slay us

On any given day, the Lifetime Movie Network will play a made-for-TV movie that features a woman scorned, and sometimes, she will kill to get what she wants. But so often, those women are killing for a man they are dangerously obsessed with, and I just can’t relate.

But MSN Movies currently has a count down of film’s famous fatale femmes, including The Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz, Maleficent of Sleeping Beauty and, my personal favorite, Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes in Misery. While I can’t relate with these women either, I can understand why they might take issues with the ones they love to hate (Dorothy killed the Witch’s sister — that’s certainly worth some cinematic revenge.)

MSN’s list got me thinking of a few other favorite characters that happened to be murderers (or perhaps just misunderstood.)

Hedy in Single White Female

Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Bridget Fonda’s new roommate who gets obsessively weird in the worst way. As Hedy, Leigh perfectly began to become a creep, emulating Allie (Fonda) in every way — as if stealing her signature auburn pixie cut wasn’t enough. On her quest to become Allie’s doppelganger, she manages to kill her boyfriend, her neighbor, and her poor puppy.

Ivy in Poison Ivy

Sylvie (Sara Gilbert) befriends Ivy (Drew Barrymore), who proceeds to kill her sick mother and sleep with her father. Barrymore and Gilbert circa 1990 were a great pair, and Ivy gets hers in the end — but not until she’s basically screwed Sylvie’s family over in every possible way. Hard to believe Barrymore could ever be a villain.

Courtney in Jawbreaker

Rose McGowan played the perfect bitch in the 1999 dark comedy. She accidentally kills her BFF Liz, but doesn’t seem to regret it at all. Instead, she frames innocent people and takes over as the reigning queen of her high school — until she’s outed at (where else?) her prom.

Obviously I have an affinity for ‘90s flicks, but there are so many others that star maniacal and conniving killer women, and the women that play them only make the characters better. Do you have any favorites?

luxury_bus's picture

Rebecca Gayheart = amazing

Favorite would probably have to be "Jaw Breaker"... that movie was just full of crazy! In all honesty, however, I cannot stand Rose McGowan--the only reason I could make it through the movie was because of Rebecca Gayheart. Plus, there was some subtle subtext between the characters Julie and Fern, which is always a good thing. =]

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.
[Indira Ghandi]

Ed Would's picture

...

May not be a 'serious' movie, and the character might not be particularly malevolent, but I'd have to include Veronica from Heathers, played by Winona Ryder.
Sub.Textual's picture

Heathers. Classic Cult.

Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer in Heathers. First thing that came to mind for me too.
brackishtea's picture

Lick it up baby. Lick. It. Up!

One of my favorite lines from that movie and I love the movie in general. 

"Those who do not like you fall into two categories: The stupid and the envious. The stupid will like you in five years time. The envious, never. "`_the Libertine

Ed Would's picture

Veronica, why are you pulling my dick?

Is possibly my favourite, though your choice was also excellent. It's too hard to pick. I've got to fit "What's your damage, Heather?" in there somewhere, too.
Pendula's picture

Defy the Clique

I loved that movie. The gay positive actions of the parents post-mortem to their teenage sons actually suprised me. I only wished that movie had more lenght. I wolud have been game for a series of high school character assasinations.
LoveLillianGish's picture

Women who slay us

I wasn't a huge fan of Jawbreaker...but there were moments where it was cruel and evil and got highschool down to a T pretty well. But I prefer Julie Benz over Rose McGowen any day. To me she has more versatility and was great in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was the character I loved to hate. And she's doing a great job on Dexter.

Also when Sarah Michelle Gellar switches bodies with Faith-she's awesome! Words cannot describe how great that is and of course when she's in Cruel Intentions.  

I forgot-Daryl Hannah in the Kill Bill's. She's freakishly fantastic and she makes it so easy to hate her but you can never get that whistle song out of your head.

aquarius289's picture

Rose McGowan

When she's good, she's really good, but when she's bad, she's even better!
Veggie's picture

Jawbreaker

I'm so glad that you included that movie on the list. It's such a classic!

I can't think of anymore but Jawbreaker and Single White Female are awesome.

4meAfterD's picture

Peyton

From "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle."  Beautifully played by Rebecca De Mornay, I loved to hate her while I hated to love her.
Keeva99's picture

Yes!

I just watched this movie again after forever, and she's still as scary as hell..lol..

Another great 'femme fatale' is Linda Fiorentino's character in 'The Last Seduction'...I love it when they get away with it. 

_____________________________

Arrr, let's goooooo...

Chubes's picture

of course

we can't possibly forget the infamous fatal attraction (though i didn't care for the movie). disclosure was another michael douglas femme fatale movie that i thought was more entertaining, but probably only because of demi moore.
imthey's picture

Femme Fatales...

Every time I even begin to think of the word "femme fatale" the first person that pops into my head is Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction... she was just that good that femme fatale and the character of Bridget Gregory just go hand in hand!

 

(Self Appointed) "#1 Bridget McManus Fan"

I M THEY ("Think Sideways")

Ceares's picture

Still the best!

The forever classic--Kathleen Turner in Body Heat.  I love it too when they get away with it.

I'd also add Jennifer Tilly as Violet in Bound

 

miranda6garden's picture

best.ever

Catherine Tramell (1992 ONLY) and Mrs. Denvers (from 1940's "Rebecca").


shortypants's picture

Ginger Snaps>>

Hmm... well, as Heathers has already been mentioned (I can quote that movie left, right and sideways) another great femme fatale comes from the horror genre: one of my favorite movies, the title character of Ginger from Ginger Snaps.

If you're Candian or if you have HBO Zone, then you know what I'm talking about.  if you don't run-don't walk- out an rent this (and while you're there, don't forget to pick up the sequal [didn't like it] and the prequel [loved it!]).

Another great femme fatale is the mermaid from 'She Creature' and of course,the femme fatale of all femme fatales,  Jennifer Tilly as Violet in Bound.

My Name Is Tara's picture

Response to shortypants..

WOW!!

Yes, Ginger Snaps. Ginger Snaps 2 is my favorite movie out of the 3 movies. I found out about Ginger Snaps several years ago because I like werewolves movies.

And "She Creature"...yes!!! I like mermaids and this is one of the first evil mermaids I have seen in a movie. I've mainly heard about evil mermaids during brief stories/fables. The special effects esp. the mermaid's fin is excellent!!

Thanks for mentioning these movies, shortypants.

To add, mine is Queen Akasha from "Queen of the Damned". She is one of my favorite vampires!

My Name Is Tara's picture

Response to shortypants..

WOW!!

Yes, Ginger Snaps. Ginger Snaps 2 is my favorite movie out of the 3 movies. I found out about Ginger Snaps several years ago because I like werewolves movies.

And "She Creature"...yes!!! I like mermaids and this is one of the first evil mermaids I have seen in a movie. I've mainly heard about evil mermaids during brief stories/fables. The special effects esp. the mermaid's fin is excellent!!

Thanks for mentioning these movies, shortypants.

To add, mine is Queen Akasha from "Queen of the Damned". She is one of my favorite vampires!

My Name Is Tara's picture

triple comments...

I apologize.
brackishtea's picture

I might be a masochist....

But I get hot and botherd by the way Devon Aoki's character Miko, in Sin City slices Bencio del toro's character Jack(?)....I know she's not a "bad" character but does a lot of slaying...A LOT!!

I also have a thing for vampires so any female role as a vampire makes me swoon!

 

"Those who do not like you fall into two categories: The stupid and the envious. The stupid will like you in five years time. The envious, never. "`_the Libertine

My Name Is Tara's picture

Movies...

The movie "Death Becomes Her". (possible movie for this topic?)

The movie "Serial Mom".

The movie "Hush" with Jessica Lange.

The movie "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate".

The movie "High Tension". 

The movie "Bad Seed". ( not a woman but a little girl) 

Pendula's picture

Lets start with Lillith

Lets start with Lillith Silver in Razorblade Smile. She kicks ass and it has a damn hot Lesbian love scene (even if it does end in death).

 

Add to that Daryl Hannah in Blade Runner as the Murder bent Sex programmed replicant.

 

And Evil Willow always does wonders for me.


User login

Recent comments

After Ellen home page on logo online