The year of the final girl is every year, at least in the eyes of some, because there are usually more than a few final girls to celebrate. We’ve gotten quite a few horror films this year that have kicked ass, but who are some notable final girls from this year?
I’ve got you covered if you’ve forgotten what a final girl is. A final girl is typically described as the last woman (or woman) standing to face the killer(s). The definition has evolved quite a bit since the ’80s, which is the decade Carol J. Clover coined it. This is especially true since intersectional feminism and progressive ideals have become more embraced by some people. It’s nice to see more final girls who kick against the former restrictions of the initial definition of the trope.
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Narrowing down a few of the best final girls in a singular year is occasionally challenging. Some women who should be on the list didn’t survive their respective films, and that’s a shame. Therefore, it comes down to who is memorable and owns what it means to be a final girl in whatever subgenre they operate under. Keep scrolling to see who made the cut.
Margaret (The First Omen)
A prequel to The Omen (1976) that wasn’t initially slated to be a horror hit this year. People didn’t expect it to be good because horror prequels are touch and go. The First Omen proved everyone wrong with its intensity, striking imagery, commentary on bodily autonomy in religious circles, and Nell Tiger Free‘s performance as Margaret. The film is a prequel and follows Margaret (Nell Tiger Free), who uncovers a disturbing plot to bring forth the antichrist. And unfortunately, she unknowingly plays a massive role in the church’s plans.
Margaret isn’t a naive woman with no backbone; she’s quite the opposite and goes against how nuns are typically portrayed. Her harrowing journey throughout the film is heart-pounding and unsettling, and her character doesn’t surprisingly get lost in the plot. Margaret’s resilience after realizing what the church orchestrated using her body is admirable. She has all the components that make for a memorable final girl and main character. Without her, The First Omen wouldn’t be the film it is, which earns her spot on this list.
Joey (Abigail)
Radio Silence has been on a roll with delivering horror films that fans enjoy. Abigail is one of their latest films, and despite the marketing issues, it’s at least a fun time for some fans—especially fans of Melissa Barrera, who delights in being a modern-day scream queen. Abigail‘s plot is relatively straightforward as it follows a group of thieves and a kidnapped little girl who turns out to be a vampire. The film is driven by its practical effects, bloody chaos, and performances from the main characters. Joey (Melissa Barrera) is a stand-out because she’s very flawed and still capable.
Instead of being a damsel in distress who is more focused on a romantic subplot, Joey is a recovering addict with a son who she isn’t in her care. While her being a parent does conflict with the kidnapping job, she’s able to kick ass and survive when Abigail kicks into gear. Even though everything is stacked against her, Joey does everything to keep going until the film’s end. She kicks ass and looks amazing covered in blood, what more can anyone ask for in a comedy horror film about a ballerina vampire?
Maxine Minx (MaXXXine)
The X trilogy is an impressive feat because of the connective tissue of the films and how there’s something for everyone. Fans of ’80s horror will appreciate MaXXXine for its commitment to ’80s aesthetics and for badass moments from Mia Goth’s Maxine. The film takes place years after the events of X, and Maxine’s past resurfaces as her story ends. It’s not a perfect end to a trilogy, but Mia Goth‘s performance reaffirms why Maxine isn’t someone to mess with.
There are more than a few triumphant moments for Maxine throughout MaXXXine. She occasionally puts her survival instincts to good use and utilizes what and who she has. And when she faces her past again, she doesn’t fold or compromise who she is. Maxine is appreciated for all of these reasons, and her shameless confidence, as well as embracing her sexuality, is part of why she goes against the grain. After enduring so much hell, murder, and violence, Maxine can be the successful actress she always wanted to be. Her boldness and ability to tell her story earn her status as a final girl.
Lee Harker (Longlegs)
Hail Longlegs and hail Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) for being a neurodivergent queen. Embracing original horror, just as much as established properties, is crucial to see more original films. Longlegs is an excellent example of taking inspiration without having to exist in a long-running franchise. The film focuses on Lee, an FBI agent trying to hunt down a mysterious serial killer. Instead of being outspoken and in your face, Lee is the opposite and just as endearing.
Naturally, Lee’s capabilities as an FBI agent play into how she can survive bizarre circumstances. But it’s also in how she thinks ahead, analyzes her surroundings, and puts on a brave face despite chaos. Lee’s neurodivergence (coded autistic) isn’t played as a hindrance or that she’s incapable of handling herself. She’s the one who saves the day and goes up against supernatural forces. She’s a great addition to the final girl canon and is essentially a modern-day Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster).
Azrael (Azrael)
Silence is sometimes so loud, and Azrael reminds me of that fact. Samara Weaving continues to be a force of nature in the horror genre in Azrael. The film follows a woman in a post-apocalyptic hellscape in which the rapture is a reality. Azrael (Samara Weaving) is forced to run from a cult that believes speech is sinful and is unable to speak because of the forced removal of her vocal cords. Does any of that stop her from fighting back and being brutal against her attackers? No, it doesn’t.
Azrael isn’t able to seek help because she’s separated from her lover, and there are very few people on her side otherwise. Not to mention, trying to live in a post-apocalyptic world, where people are off their rockers and demonic humanoids are chasing you, sounds nearly impossible. Yet Azrael can do it and serves as the one trying to save her lover (instead of vice versa). Azrael makes for one hell of a final girl in a film that wouldn’t be as memorable without her.
Sienna Shaw (Terrifer 3)
Regardless of whether or not people love the films, the Terrifier films are incredibly popular at this point. Terrifer 3 is officially one of the highest-grossing unrated films ever, and Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is regarded as a tremendous modern-day final girl. Her character is one reason horror fans keep returning to Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3. Sienna’s bravery when facing Art, her tenacity, and her desire to keep those she loves safe are great qualities for a final girl like her.
Sienna does her best in the face of violence and evil forces looking to break her down. And she fights like hell to survive, even when everything is stacked against her in both films. There’s something about seeing a final girl do their best despite it all. Sienna might not be everyone’s cup of tea as a survivor, but in my eyes, she shows a different side of what it can look like. And that makes her well-deserving of her accolades as one of the best final girls this year.
Rain (Alien: Romulus)
It’s fun to see a horror franchise make a grand return and have it be good. Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens and follows a group encountering terrifying lifeforms they aren’t unprepared to handle. The film serves as delightful fan service and a return to form for the franchise. And Rain (Cailee Spaeny), one of the franchise’s latest final girls, is very welcomed. Rain embodies the qualities of the final girls before her, especially Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), one of the most notable final girls in horror history.
Rain is human and makes mistakes because she’s trying to build a better life for herself and her adoptive brother. Her heart and love for Andy (David Jonsson) drive the emotional beats of Alien: Romulus. She also successfully deals with face-huggers, xenomorphs, and a new being called the Offspring (Robert Bobroczkyi). Overall, Rain is a classic type of final girl who’s likable and is against nearly impossible odds that she manages to endure.
2024 has been a rollercoaster of a year, but at least we weren’t without a range of final girls to root for and love. We got a returning survivor of trauma and new final girls who made their mark in their respective and in the genre. Huge thumbs up to all of these women and the performances behind them.
