Women Portrayed in Horror and Film Noir Films Essay -- Film Movie Noir

Women Portrayed in Horror and Film Noir Films Works Cited Not Included Horror films have always been more attractive to the male viewer than to the female viewer. Why is that? Usually horror films mainly present the audience with very graphic mutilation and the raping of females, more so than their male counterparts. Horror films have always depicted females as either objects or as the victim of a horrible act. In Linda William's essay 'When the Woman Looks,' she says that 'there is not that much difference between an object of desire and an object of horror as far as the male look is concerned' (Jancovich 63). That is just the way horror films are, and they will probably not change anytime, because the women in the films usually grab the attention of males. This is why horror films are usually more pointed at the male view. Some males like to see women depicted as the punisher because they like seeing evil women in these films precisely for their viewing pleasures, sexual and otherwise. An online essay defines horror as, 'its true subject matt er is that of the struggle for recognition of all that society represses? (Niver). Although horror films as well as film noir films are usually fictitious, the violence depicted among women is real and they show the dark side of the human experience especially in women. In some horror films, females are ?often asked to bear witness to [their] own powerlessness in the face of rape, mutilation and murder? (Jancovich 61). Women, who have been traumatized by violence in any way, have to live with their emotions and feelings regarding their situations everyday of their lives.... ...is very scary is that ?one-third of women report being physically or sexually abused by a boyfriend or husband at some time in their lives? (Boss 357-358). These statistics not only happen in real life, but are also depicted on the big screens. They have been for years because it brings people to the movies and they find it interesting to watch. The statistics that are mentioned here need to be changed before it is too late. People and today?s society need to be more cautious of their surroundings, know who they are getting involved with and to try and not make stupid mistakes. Society needs to take more responsibility for their actions and sexual attackers need to be put in prison for a long time. Horror films and film noir films, just like society, do depict a lot of violence among women and they also show the dark side of the human experience.