Black Women in Horror

Since February is both Black History Month and Women in Horror Month, and March is Women's History Month, the time is right for a look at black scream queens. Whether they appeared in one genre film or many, these women are all appreciated by fans for their contributions to horror.

Geretta Geretta was only in two horror movies, but she made a lasting impression in Demons (1985) and earned herself a place on this list. Her character, Rosemary, tries on a mysterious mask at the beginning of the movie and cuts herself, providing an explanation for the demon outbreak that follows. She goes through an onscreen transformation from human to demon that holds up by today's special effects standards and has the honor of being the first person in the movie to turn into a demon. Geretta embraces her scream queen status and is very friendly to her fans on social networks like Twitter.

Pam Grier is known chiefly for her work in exploitation films, but she also appeared in at least seven horror films including Scream, Blacula, Scream and Something Wicked This Way Comes. Her tough charisma is a welcome addition to the genre.

On the opposite end of the spectrum from an exploitation star is Jennifer Beals. She may be best known for Flashdance and The L Word, but she has also made many horror films including The Bride and The Grudge 2.

Kasi Lemmons's character in Candyman may have been killed off, but for once it was to further the plot of an anti-racism film rather than as part of the "horror movie rules."

Carol Speed probably would have been a bigger actress were it not for unfair comparisons between her movie Abby and The Exorcist. Luckily today's viewers can experience her chilling turn as a possessed woman as the film is long past its legal troubles and has been released on DVD.

Like it or not, the Scary Movie franchise is a part of the horror universe, which makes Regina Hall a bona fide scream queen for appearing in four Scary Movie entries.

Many A list actresses have taken short walks on the dark side of the movies. Whoopi Goldberg was in Bordello of Blood, Thandie Newton appeared in Interview With the Vampire and Halle Berry starred in Gothika. As horror continues to garner major releases and the genre develops beyond formulaic stories we should continue to see more black scream queens at the multiplex and on DVD.