Chantel Gillus ’24
- Brenda Sykes as Sally Hardesty in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Angela Bassett as Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978)
- Whoopi Goldberg as Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979)
- Irene Cara as Alice Hardy in Friday the 13th (1980)
- Shari Headley as Nancy Thompson in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Lynn Whitfield as Karen Barclay in Child’s Play (1988)
- Sanaa Lathan as Sidney Prescott in Scream (1996)
- Robin Givens as Gale Weathers in Scream (1996)
- Trina McGee as Julie James in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
- Bianca Lawson as Clear Rivers in Final Destination (2000)
- Picture Citations
Very rarely do we see Black women survive throughout a horror film and claim the title as the final girl. The final girl in a horror film is the girl who beats the villain and survives in the end. Generally, the final girl is white, virginal, and has an innocent-like nature. The final girl trope has had a problematic history by presenting the idea that only white women, particularly white virginal women are allowed to survive, and those who are not, deserve to die.
But what if?
What if there were Black actresses in place of the white actresses who had the privilege of being the final heroine?
Below is an imaginary list including some classic horror films and iconic final girls in which Black women are cast in place as the leads.
Brenda Sykes as Sally Hardesty in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Sally Hardesty was originally played by actress Marilyn Burns, but what if Brenda Sykes was cast as the lead role instead? Sykes was a prolific actress in the 1970s starring in various films and television shows. Her beauty along with her softness on top of some final girl feistiness would’ve been exciting to see on screen.
Angela Bassett as Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978)
One of the most recognizable scream queens (someone who has played in numerous horror films), and often labeled THE scream queen is Jamie Lee Curtis due to her recurring roles in numerous horror films. Her most popular character, Laurie Strode, is the poster girl for the final girl prototype. She is pure, shy, and studious, but at the same time brave as she battles against her brother, Michael Myers (Tony Moran), who stalks and tries to kill her. An actress who could have depicted this character is the incredible Angela Bassett who is known for playing strong characters. What if her breakout role was as the long-lost sister of Michael Myers? Then, returning for sequels engaging in a plethora of battles against Myers and becoming a symbol of survival.
Whoopi Goldberg as Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979)
Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, is another contender for the number one spot in the ranking of final girls according to pop culture. Whoopi Goldberg as the courageous, unyielding, and outspoken Ellen Ripley, would have been one for the books. Goldberg can certainly illustrate what it means to be a leader and act as an inspiration to the Black female audience.
Irene Cara as Alice Hardy in Friday the 13th (1980)
Alice Hardy (Adrienne King) was an aspiring artist and ironically, Irene Cara was an artist herself in real life. With playing in musicals such as Sparkle (1976) and Fame (1980), seeing her as the kind, yet skittish Alice would have been a unique pivot in her career. Cara later had some experience in the action genre by co-starring in Certain Fury (1985) as Tracy. So, it wouldn’t have been a far stretch to see her dip her toes into another adrenaline-inducing genre, like horror.
Shari Headley as Nancy Thompson in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Shari Headley got her big break in Coming to America (1988) as Lisa McDowell, but Headley being introduced to the world as Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) would have been fascinating. Headley as the beautiful, caring, funny, and tough Nancy sparring off against Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) could have been an ideal casting and entertaining watch.
Lynn Whitfield as Karen Barclay in Child’s Play (1988)
Lynn Whitfield is known for playing villainous roles, but what if she got a chance to play the hero? Karen Barclay (Catherine Hicks) was a single, widowed mother to Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent), who had a warm personality and always wanted the best for her son. We all know Whitfield is capable of portraying a protective and firm mother who shields her son from the evil, murderous doll, Chucky (Brad Dourif). I can certainly imagine Whitfield in the scene where Karen is screaming at Chucky and threatening to throw him into the fire if he didn’t speak and reveal his true wickedness.
Sanaa Lathan as Sidney Prescott in Scream (1996)
Neve Campbell was the perfect casting as Sidney Prescott in the cultural-shifting, Scream (1996), but Sanaa Lathan could’ve been a great foe to Ghostface (Roger L. Jackson) if she were Black. Lathan has that aura of innocence, while not being completely naive, along with being gracefully vigilant and resilient, which is what Sidney embodies. Eventually, Lathan obtained her chance at being a final girl in Alien vs. Predator (2004) as Alexa Woods, but seeing her as Sidney could’ve been a great stepping stone to her becoming a scream queen.
Robin Givens as Gale Weathers in Scream (1996)
Robin Givens as the glamorous, ambitious, and cunning journalist, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) would’ve been the ultimate win. Givens serving as the frenemy to Lathan’s Sidney, while also serving looks, could’ve been a compelling sight. With both Lathan’s Sidney and Robin’s Gale surviving at the end, it would’ve emphasized the notion that it’s possible for Black women to come together and win. There’s certainly enough room for more than one Black final girl.
Trina McGee as Julie James in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
The underrated Trina McGee from Boy Meets World (1993-2000) as the intelligent, cautious, and quiet Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) would have been a pleasant surprise. Seeing someone like her as the lead with her hippie-like style would’ve offered more diversity. Eventually in the sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), Karla Wilson, who was played by actress and singer Brandy, was a final girl. However, McGee’s addition in the first film could’ve inserted another Black final girl on the roster in the series. Seeing them both team up in the sequel could’ve been another example of Black female empowerment and unity.
Bianca Lawson as Clear Rivers in Final Destination (2000)
Bianca Lawson has had her experience in sci-fi and horror, one of which she co-starred alongside Snoop Dogg in the horror/blaxploitation film, Bones (2001) as Cynthia. But what if she starred in Final Destination (2001) as Clear Rivers (Ali Larter) the year prior? I can imagine Lawson as the mysterious, edgy, smart, and distant Clear, being that she’s had her share of enigmatic characters in her filmography.
With the rise of Black final girls in recent years, particularly in Jordan Peele’s films, we’re finally getting the representation we’re deserving of. Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide “Addy” Wilson/Red in Us (2019), Keke Palmer as Emerald “Em” Haywood in Nope (2022), and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin in Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), are just to name a few. But with the list above, it’s nice to imagine if there was an earlier wave of Black heroines in horror. There were some representations of Black final girls as stated in the list, along with others such as Marki Bey as Diana “Sugar” Hill in Sugar Hill (1974) and Naomie Harris as Selena in 28 Days Later (2003).
Although, if more Black scream queens were cast, Black women would’ve been able to picture themselves as the champions, instead of the sacrifices. It would have opened the doors to more Black women being cast over time and illustrated that Black women are deserving of survival just as white women. Although the original castings gave it their all in their portrayals, it’s still fun to think…what if?
Picture Citations
“90s/00s History on Instagram: ‘Happy Birthday to Sanaa Lathan 🎂🎁🎉🎊🌹🎈💐 . . . . . #sanaalathan #HBD #90s #00s #90SERA’: Royal Beauty, Sanaa Lathan, Beauty.” Pinterest, 30 Sept. 2019, za.pinterest.com/pin/90s00s-history-on-instagram-happy-birthday-to-sanaa-lathan-sanaalathan-hbd-90s-00s-90sera–485122191112632582/.
Allaire, Christian. “Scream’s Cut-Throat Journalist, Gale Weathers, Has Terrifyingly Good Style.” British Vogue, British Vogue, 13 Jan. 2022, http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/gale-weathers-scream-fashion-moments.
Best Black Film Actresses By Decade:1980s, juliusspeaks.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-black-film-actresses-by.html. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
“Boomerang – Robin Givens (1992) – Famousfix.Com Post.” FamousFix.Com, m.famousfix.com/post/boomerang-robin-givens-1992-92806658. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
“Cleopatra Jones STBW#621 Brenda Sykes: Black Hollywood, Black Actresses, Vintage Black Glamour.” Pinterest, 22 July 2020, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/353462270759110105/.
Contributors to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Wiki. “Sally Hardesty/Original Timeline.” The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Wiki, Fandom, Inc., texaschainsawmassacre.fandom.com/wiki/Sally_Hardesty/Original_Timeline. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
“Ellen Ripley in Alien: A Complex Exploration of Feminist Empowerment and Gender Equality.” The Astromech, http://www.theastromech.com/2023/03/ellen-ripley-in-alien-complex.html. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
Ferrier, Aimee. “Revisiting Neve Campbell’s Iconic Performance as Sidney Prescott in ‘Scream.’” Far Out Magazine, 3 Oct. 2022, faroutmagazine.co.uk/revisiting-neve-campbells-iconic-performance-as-sidney-prescott-in-scream/.
Google Image Result for Https://Img.Buzzfeed.Com/Buzzfeed-Static/Static/2022-08/16/12/Enhanced/C4ef16a73ed6/Original-2348-1660654607-8.Jpg, Google, http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.buzzfeed.com%2Fbuzzfeed-static%2Fstatic%2F2022-08%2F16%2F12%2Fenhanced%2Fc4ef16a73ed6%2Foriginal-2348-1660654607-8.jpg&tbnid=6wvxQmITTRY0TM&vet=12ahUKEwiskOzZwuKBAxWRE1kFHZqVAcIQMygAegQIARBO..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeednews.com%2Farticle%2Fstephaniesoteriou%2Fboy-meets-worlds-will-friedle-racism-trina-mcgee&docid=6Pel1ClsEll3FM&w=1250&h=830&q=trina+mcgee+boy+meets+world&ved=2ahUKEwiskOzZwuKBAxWRE1kFHZqVAcIQMygAegQIARBO. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
IMDb. “Bianca Lawson | Actress, Producer.” IMDb, IMDb.com, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0493161/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
“Irene Cara.” Cinema Clock, http://www.cinemaclock.com/stars/irene-cara. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
“Pin by Jaydyn on Genesis Superstar in 2023: Nightmare on Elm Street, Elm Street, a Nightmare on Elm Street.” Pinterest, 26 Oct. 2022, pin.it/3kWlFk0.
“Pin by Louise Mcnutt on Unforgettable Great Talent: Black Actresses, Black Celebrities, Black Hollywood.” Pinterest, 12 Feb. 2021, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/unforgettable-great-talent–107101297378536590/.
“Pin on Jennifer Love.” Pinterest, 20 Jan. 2018, http://www.pinterest.com/pin/290200769732992308/sent/?invite_code=08e662dbbfbc46e9bb86ae1e44519841&sender=755056831184819776&sfo=1.
“Shari Headley on Mycast – Fan Casting Your Favorite Stories.” myCast, http://www.mycast.io/talent/shari-headley. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
Victorian, Brande. “Whoopi Goldberg Has Always Been Enough.” Essence, Essence, 3 Aug. 2022, http://www.essence.com/feature/whoopi-goldberg-has-always-been-enough/.
West, Amy. “Halloween’s John Carpenter ‘Doesn’t Care’ about How the New Movies Affect the Franchise’s Legacy.” Gamesradar, GamesRadar+, 31 Oct. 2022, http://www.gamesradar.com/halloween-john-carpenter-franchise-legacy-dont-care/.
Wiki, Contributors to Child’s Play. “Karen Barclay.” Child’s Play Wiki, Fandom, Inc., childsplay.fandom.com/wiki/Karen_Barclay. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
Wiki, Contributors to Heroes. “Clear Rivers.” Heroes Wiki, Fandom, Inc., hero.fandom.com/wiki/Clear_Rivers. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.Wiki, Contributors to Horror Film. “Alice Hardy.” Horror Film Wiki, Fandom, Inc., horror.fandom.com/wiki/Alice_Hardy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
