LGBTQ films aren’t just about romance and heartbreak. In the mood for a gay romance with two hunky protagonists stalked by a deranged madman? Maybe an iconic cult classic with a self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania”?
Check out this GayTimes website collection of queer LGBTQ horrors and thrillers.
1.A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)
Cast: Mark Patton, Kim Myers, Robert Englund, Robert Rusler, Clu Gulager, Hope Lange, Christie Clark, Marsha Bell
Despite not featuring any openly gay characters, Freddy’s Revenge is one of the campest horror films in history; featuring scenes in leather bars, locker rooms and sweaty shirtless men trying to escape the wrath of Freddy’s perfectly manicured talons. Although it received mixed reviews upon release, the film has become a cult classic and has become a Halloween go-to for the LGBTQ community.
2. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Cast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell
Does this even need a bio? For those who haven’t seen, The Rocky Horror Picture Show tells the story of a young couple whose car breaks down near a castle, which is habited by group of strangers in faaaabulous costumes who are celebrating an annual convention. Their leader, Dr. Frank N. Furter (Curry) – a self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania” – has created a muscle man called Rocky in his laboratory. The film has a massive worldwide following, with fans often dressing up as the characters and recreating the musical numbers. It boasts the honour of being the longest-running theatrical release in film history, spanning four decades, and is often regarded as one of the best films of all time.
3. Hellbent (2004)
Cast: Dylan Fergus, Bryan Kirkwood, Hank Harris, Andrew Levitas
This underrated slasher flick follows a serial killer on a mission to butcher the entire gay community. Bit dramatic, but his main targets are gay men, so… It first premiered during gay and lesbian film festivals in 2004 and 2005 and has been credited with sparking a wave of “gay slasher” films. For those who love a good slasher movie with a “whodunnit” storyline, you’ll love Hellbent. The characters are fleshed out, the killer is terrifying, and the suspense… THE SUSPENSE! Ooh lord.
4. The Craft (1996)
Cast: Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, Rachel True, Skeet Ulrich
The Craft follows a group of four outcasts teenage girls with supernatural abilities. They pursue witchcraft for their own personal gain and face massive consequences, leading to a terrifying finale between the two main characters, Rachel (Tunney) and Nancy (Balk). Even though the film isn’t explicitly queer, it has undertones. Their coven feels like a group of LGBTQ youth who are coming to terms with their identity. Nancy, is your typical unapologetic “out” character, Bonnie doesn’t want to cause trouble and wants to be left alone, Rochelle is bullied by the other kids for her skin colour, and Rachel doesn’t fully understand her identity yet. In the film, they even go to a witchy part of town which they deem their “safe space”, which we can all relate to.
5. Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Toni Collette, Zawe Ashton, Tom Sturridge, Natalia Dyer, John Malkovich
Velvet Buzzsaw stars Academy Award nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal as a queer snobby art critic who starts to experience supernatural events in relation to a dead artist’s paintings. The film is directed by Dan Gilroy, who previously collaborated with Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo on the critically-acclaimed thriller film, Nightcrawler.
Via GayTimes
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