Lesbian Representation in Horror and Sci-Fi

Lesbians have held a specific place within the horror and science fiction genres, especially due to the deeply cemented "lesbian vampire" trope. This trope has often correlated with the overt sexualization of lesbians and their fetishization by mostly straight men. The queer community in general also has ties to the horror genre, dating back to the Gothic novels of the late 1700s. While older films such as The Vampire Lovers (1970) and Vampyros Lesbos (1971) were created largely by and for men, newer horror films such as Jennifer's Body (2009) were written and directed by women. However, this does not mean that the films were entirely free from patriarchal influence.

In the case of Jennifer's Body, the film's marketing was perhaps the worst part. The film stars Megan Fox (who is openly bisexual) as Jennifer and Amanda Seyfried (a straight woman) as her best friend Needy. Jennifer is sacrificed to the devil and becomes a man-eating demon, and Needy is forced to stop her own best friend (and perhaps more) from killing countless boys. Lesbian references are ever-present; in one of the first scenes one of Needy's classmates accuses her of being "lesbi-gay" for Jennifer. The film has been accused of “queerbaiting” but has also been held up as a reflection on compulsory heterosexuality and female relationships.

However, the marketing for the film was the exact opposite of what director Karen Kusama and screenwriter Diablo Cody had originally envisioned. They were excited to make a movie for girls and about girls, but found that the marketing was entirely focused around Megan Fox's sex appeal and body, intending to draw in teen boy audiences. Her sexuality and promiscuity were overplayed dramatically in every poster or advertisement for the film, and the single kiss between the two girls features heavily in the trailer. It was all entirely structured for the male gaze; one idea was even floated to promote the film on porn sites.

This marketing also likely played a role in the failure of the film at the box office. Straight teen (and adult) boys, drawn in by the "sexy" Megan Fox, were not entertained by a story centered on female friendship. In an attempt to appeal to the dominant culture, the film was essentially doomed financially, although in recent years has gained a cult following.

However, it is undeniable that there have been some significant improvements in lesbian representation in horror and science fiction. One of the better examples of a lesbian couple on television is Nomi and Amanita, from Netflix's Sense8. Nomi, one of the main characters, is a trans lesbian blogger and hacker living in San Francisco with her black lesbian girlfriend. Not only is Nomi trans, but she is in an interracial queer relationship, and it is one of the healthiest relationships depicted on the show.

Neither Nomi's transness nor her lesbian identity are played as the main point of the show, they are just parts of her life. We meet her after she has already transitioned, not allowing her narrative to center specifically around transitioning. She is already comfortable and living life happily with her girlfriend. The show is also directed by the Wachowskis, the directors of The Matrix and who are both trans women.

The main concept of the show revolves around the discovery of a psychic connection between 8 individuals in different locations all over the world. They are able to share emotions, experiences, and essentially inhabit each others mind. Because of this, there is an inherent element of gender fluidity; of inhabiting different bodies. It can also be argued that all characters are to some degree queer because of this. One actor (Brian J Smith) said that he (and director Lana) see all 8 main characters as pansexual because of this connection. However, the show is still somewhat problematic in its portrayals of race, specifically in the treatment of Kala, an Indian woman, and Sun, a Korean woman. It also tends to portray nonwestern countries as more bigoted than western countries, which completely ignores the legacy of colonialism and the spread of western heteropatriarchy through imperialist means.

Costa, D. (2015, June 17). “Sense8” star Jamie Clayton talks trans representation, Nomanita and LGBT leads. AfterEllen. https://afterellen.com/sense8-star-jamie-clayton-talks-trans-representation-nomanita-lgbt-leads/ Merodeadora, A. (2019, October 27). The Problem With Sense8. Medium. https://puentera.medium.com/the-problem-with-sense8-90964685c62f Sharf, Z. (2018, December 10). Karyn Kusama: Watching ‘Jennifer’s Body’ Only Get Marketed to Teen Boys Was Painful. IndieWire. https://www.indiewire.com/2018/12/karyn-kusama-jennifers-body-marketing-misogynistic-1202026860/ Why are shows with queer female characters being canceled? A Temple professor explains. (2022, August 23). Temple Now | News.Temple.Edu. https://news.temple.edu/2022-08-23/why-are-shows-queer-female-characters-being-canceled-temple-professor-explains Why Sense8’s Nomi and Amanita Are My Vision for a Queer Revolution | Them. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2023, from https://www.them.us/story/sense8-finale