A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

“I’ve done bad things. I’m bad” – Sheila Vand, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

I wanted to mark Women’s History Month with a horror film created by women, starring women, and about women. Those factors led me to one of my favorite modern horror films: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a black-and-white vampire film written and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. The film takes images that the Western world associates with oppression and turns it into a story of empowerment. There are many ways to analyze this film, but what I am most interested in is its depiction of women’s independence through the lens of a horror film.

The story takes place in Bad City, a lonely and haunting city in Iran (the movie was filmed in California). Sheila Vand plays The Girl, a mysterious young woman who is seen by the locals walking by herself through the dark streets of Bad City nearly every night. The city is overrun with poverty, crime, and drugs. A mass grave under a bridge is shown multiple times as more bodies are added to it. A young man named Arash (played by Arash Marandi) does his best to rise above the adversity of the city to care for his sick father. After a party one night, he encounters The Girl while she skateboards down a deserted road. He returns with her to her home, where they connect over her music (quick side note: This movie has an awesome soundtrack).

Arash begins to form a bond with The Girl. While trying to cope with the chaos that surrounds him, he is drawn to her mystery and stoicism. The Girl is drawn to him as well, but she keeps her distance to keep him safe. It is revealed early on that she is a vampire, and she uses her monstrous gift to take down the abusers and criminals of Bad City. When The Girl finds herself losing the control that has kept her safe for so long, she faces an unexpected choice: continue to use her dark gift to protect others, or put down her walls to allow Arash into her life.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a hypnotic film that, while light on dialogue, says a lot to its audience. When I watch this film, the message that hits me first is women’s independence. The title itself is defiant against a world where women everywhere have to take extra precautions when alone in public. The filming techniques and blocking create an eerie atmosphere that makes you feel the oppressive loneliness of the scenes. This is not the easiest film to find, unfortunately, but it is worth looking for. It demonstrates all that I love about horror by women. It is meaningful, personal, and connects us with shared fears. Above all, it is a stunning film that sweeps you away from the world for a little while.

Probably the most important detail of this film: There is a VERY CHONKY KITTY throughout the entire thing.

Until next time,

Jordan