In this article /
Yes, you read that right, we've put together a watchlist of horror films that not only thrill and chill but also match the unique phases of your cycle. From emotional scream-fests to fierce transformations, these films explore and celebrate the power of your body at every stage. So pick a flick, hit play and enjoy your fright night!
Still from Carrie (Brian De Palma, 1976). Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): Carrie
If your period just started, congratulations! You may find yourself feeling a sense of relief and release, and if that’s the case, Carrie is the perfect cathartic watch to match your mood.
The 1976 film by Brian DePalma was the first time period blood was shown in cinema. It opens with the iconic scene of Carrie getting her first period in the school shower, and being shamed and bullied ruthlessly by the girls around her. Sound pretty horrific, right? Carrie’s journey is about reclaiming power in the face of shame and societal pressure. She eventually taps into (and unleashes) her telekinetic powers, serving as a bloody reminder that your period is nothing to fear, it’s only part of your strength.
Watch Carrie:
Still from Ginger Snaps (John Fawcett, 2000). Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Follicular Phase (Days 6-14): Ginger Snaps
As your energy rises, so does Ginger’s in Ginger Snaps. This Canadian cult favourite was released in 2000 and follows two outcast sisters with a dark obsession with death. When one of them starts transforming into a werewolf, lycanthropy becomes a chilling metaphor for puberty and menstruation.
Her wild transformation might just mirror the way you feel more in control of your body during your follicular phase, stepping into a new version of yourself with curiosity and openness. Just like Ginger, you’re shedding the old and embracing the new.
Watch Ginger Snaps:
Still from The Love Witch (Anna Biller, 2016). Courtesy of Anna Biller Productions.
Ovulation Phase (Days 14-18): The Love Witch
At your peak energy and confidence? The Love Witch (2016) is the perfect match for this magnetic phase. With themes of love, attraction and seduction, this film taps into the powerful, alluring energy that comes with ovulation.
The Love Witch is a visually stunning homage to '60s technicolor horror, following a modern-day witch who uses magic to make men fall in love with her—with deadly consequences. It’s a dark comedic, feminist take on the lengths one might go to for love and validation.
Watch The Love Witch:
Still from Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell, 2020). Courtesy of Focus Features.
Luteal Phase (Days 19-28): Promising Young Woman
You know that boiling frustration that builds up during your luteal phase, right before your period hits? Promising Young Woman (2020) perfectly captures the nuance of this phase. The film’s soft, bubbly pink aesthetic contrasts with the brewing dark motivations of its protagonist, just like how you might be feeling... outwardly calm but emotionally intense beneath the surface.
In this revenge thriller, a young woman seeks to right past wrongs in a society that ignores sexual assault. With a mix of dark humor and chilling undertones, the film explores themes of trauma, anger and justice. Its pastel, soft feminine exterior contrasts with a fiercely powerful story, reflecting the mood swings and emotional depth of the luteal phase.
Watch Promising Young Woman:
From the raw intensity of Carrie to the unsettling calm of Promising Young Woman, these films capture the different moods we experience throughout our cycles. Horror has a way of connecting us to deeper emotions, just like our cycles. So, next time you’re planning a movie night, let your body guide you—because each phase has its own power, and there's no better time to embrace it.
