The Monstrous-Feminine by Barbara Creed

Barbara Creed is a Professor of Cinema Studies at the School of Culture and Communication (University of Melbourne). She came up with the idea of 'The Monstrous-Feminine', and in this blog I will be looking at this theory by applying it to the 1976 film 'Carrie'. Carrie was directed by Brian De Palma, a director whose films were seen as controversial for their graphic violence. He has frequently been branded a misogynist for the way he portrays females in his works. The movie was adapted from a Stephen King novel and it was in fact the first Stephen King book to be made into a film.

In Creed's book (The Horror Reader, Chapter: Kristeva, Femininity, is used to ridicule them. 
Abjection) she states “In Carrie, the film’s most monstrous act occurs when the couple are drenched in pig’s blood, which symbolises menstrual blood". This idea can also be seen in the repeated symbolism of the colour red, such as the red lighting as Carrie prepares to kill (as seen on  the right). The pigs blood is used in a way in which causes humiliation and shame. Showing how the females menstrual cycle 

Mother-Child Relationship

This part of the theory suggests that the mother-child relationships (in horror) hold lots of conflict and clashes. This can be see when the child tries to break free from a reluctant mother. This is shown when the "archaic maternal figure" is put in a context where there is no fatherly presents (absence of the father). In these movies the mother/motherly figure is considered the monstrous feminine. This idea can be seen in Carrie's mother.   

Carries mother is controlling, manipulative, violent and overly religious. She can be seen as the true villain of this film as she pushes Carrie over the edge by trying to shield her from all she deems a sinful act, she is also constantly bringing Carrie down telling her that her fathers absence is her fault.

I myself feel that elements of this theory can be seen in many horror and non-horror films. This disappoints me as it shows females in a negative light but seeing the women as a villain also brings an element of power. However if I was to use a female as a villain I would give them complexity, by not making them as one dimensional as a 'controlling mother'. As for the use of the menstrual cycle I completely disagree with this usage it makes females seem like animals. Overall I feel as though I may use a female villain but will be differing the villain from 'The Monstrous-Feminine' concept.