Slay Another Day: The Best Queer Horror Characters

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The bloody writing has always been splattered on the wall. Hallowed classics of horror are filled with queer subtext. Frankenstein? A monstrous tale of unrequited love. Carmilla? That U-Haul is filled with corpses. There’s no denying that iconic horror stories contain hordes of allusions, hidden signals, and overt imagery from the queer underworld.

Once horror crawled its way to our screens, the subtext screamed louder. You only have to look so far as Frank-N-Furter’s fishnets in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the campy antics of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, or even Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Plus, queer creators have been giving us legends since James Whales’ 1931 Frankenstein to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser and Candyman franchises, up until today with Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and other slashics.

Still not convinced? Then prepare to meet the best queer characters in horror movies and TV. No rainbows here, just gay bloody messes.

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Jennifer, Jennifer’s Body

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Jennifer’s Body (2009) is, on the surface, a horror-comedy about demonic possession and vengeful teen girls. Megan Fox stars as the ruthlessly confident, drop-dead gorgeous Jennifer Check who strings along her childhood BFF Anita “Needy” Lesnicki. It was initially heavily criticized for capitalizing on the lead’s undeniable sex appeal, favoring aesthetics over substance. But Jennifer’s Body is so much more meaningful. Indeed, it satirizes our obsession with beautiful women. Even when Jennifer is ripping boys apart, all they can see is her physicality, her exterior; only Needy sees what lies beneath perfect skin and dirty innuendos.

Of course the film has its problems. Bisexual representation is rough in pop culture. Jennifer’s kisses with Needy could be fan service or youthful experimentation, and naturally the bi girl is promiscuous (eye roll). It’s just trope upon stereotype upon prejudice. However, again, we must look at Jennifer’s Body as intentionally self-aware and critical of the media it portrays. And who can deny the appeal of lines like “God, you’re butch” and “I go both ways.” Nowadays, the movie is a veritable feminist cult classic that gives “be gay, do crime” all its glitter-pop glory.

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Angela, Sleepaway Camp

Now, this one comes with a little nuance. For anyone unaware, there’s a rampant trope in storytelling to place transgender people in the role of villain or aggressor. If you need a more mainstream example, look to Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Though not explicitly stated as a trans character (Hannibal Lecter specifically says Bill is not transgender), the implications are clear. Others expect danger from this marginalized community when, in fact, they are the historical victims of many social constructs.

But back to our queen Angela in Sleepaway Camp (1983). Superficially, the film’s graphic reveal is done for shock value. And the rest of the film certainly has its fair share of humanly horrific behavior, from the cook’s predatory actions to bullying from the campers. However, if you look more closely, especially at Aunt Martha, there is a fascinating layer of gender attitudes to see in Sleepaway Camp. Plus, there’s a certain empowerment in Angela being the film’s off-screen killer. She’s not just a final girl — she’s the girl who finally got revenge.

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Louis & Lestat, Interview With the Vampire

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the full extent of queer representation in AMC’s Interview With the Vampire (2022 – present) television series. Besides the iconic couple Louis and Lestat, there’s also Armand, Daniel Molloy, Claudia, and Madeleine. Less than a decade ago, it was difficult enough to get just one gay couple on a TV show. Interview With the Vampire balances multiple characters who love and lose in extraordinary ways. Their romances are inextricably linked to their time and feelings as immortals, too. Louis forever grapples with his identity, religion, and thirst for both men and blood.

And then there’s charming, chaotic Lestat. Non-discriminating in his tastes, he performs a version of himself that is almost akin to drag. He is ostentatious, wildly egotistical, and impossible to tear your eyes away from. Louis, intelligent and discerning, is his perfect match. Yet love between two people who will never grow old can still turn stale. IWTV is as much about the ups and downs of their relationship as it is about vampires surviving through the centuries. It is the perfect Gothic romance to sink your teeth into if you yearn for every type of passion there is to offer.

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Glen/Glenda, Seed of Chucky / Chucky

Just as gender is a spectrum, so too is evil. Few know this truth better than Glen/Glenda, the sinister spawn of Chucky and Tiffany Valentine. Talk about a killer legacy. When your parents are homicidal maniacs, and you’ve all been trapped, at some point, as living dolls, safety has a very short shelf life. And very little qualms when it comes to killing.

Needless to say, Glen and Glenda have complicated relationships with both their parents. Wouldn’t you? They started off as simply Glen, then Glenda, then developing split personalities when their soul was halved to inhabit the bodies of Jennifer Tilly’s twins. It’s enough to make your little doll head pop right off. But don’t worry, these two nonbinary nuisances fit very well into this dysfunctional doll family. Right from the start they chose violence, and throughout the Chucky TV series, their schemes cause plenty of anguish to those around them.

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Theo, The Haunting of Hill House

Is there anything more queer than family trauma? Inspired by Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family — parents Henry and Olivia with their children Steven, Shelly, Theo, Luke, and Nell. You’ll definitely be scared with all the ghosts and ghouls but you should also be prepared for immense heartbreak. The Crain family truly goes through the wringer, together and apart.

Each member of the Crain family experiences the paranormal in their own unique way. For Theo, the classic middle child, that experience is somewhat similar to her maternal grandmother. Both women are psychically sensitive. In a sense, Theo’s abilities are similar to Marvel’s Rogue. Through physical touch, she can gain insight into others’ feelings and pasts. It’s an extremely overwhelming ability, which is why she often wears gloves. Like many other queer people, Theo’s intense experiences cause her to close herself off. You really can’t blame her for putting up so many walls. But in any haunted house, walls are merely a barrier meant to be broken.

Bonus Viewing: For an additional queer haunted house story, check out The Haunting of Bly Manor. Tears and fears will also be coming out of the woodwork.

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Ruby Baptiste, Lovecraft Country

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Who says cosmic horror can’t be intimate? Although the stakes and antagonists are out-of-this-world, Lovecraft Country (2020) is grounded by its dynamic characters and their relationships. Plus, the worst threats dwell here on Earth in the form of racists, misogynists, and homophobes! Mixing monsters of both epic and personal proportions, the one-season series is a masterclass on how to adapt source material from a less-than-accepting author. I am personally most impressed by the groundbreaking Black woman who is Ruby Baptise, played by Wunmi Mosaku of In The Flesh (2013) and Sinners (2025) fame.

When given a strange and alluring opportunity to swap her body into a white woman’s for a day, Ruby accepts. She lives freely, though the transformation is a bloody, ugly, painful thing. Eventually, Ruby discovers that her potion’s patron is not a pair of white siblings, but rather one woman, changing her gender for personal gain. Ruby and Christina/William make and find love in a profound exploration of identity … with a little body horror on the side, if you’re into that.

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Deena, Fear Street

Queer resistance is all about standing up for your rights. And that goes double when you’re a resident of Shadyside! Everyone else writes this town off as trash, a hub of heaping trouble that can’t be saved. Everything bad that happens there is more than deserved. But Deena Johnson won’t subscribe to that. She knows Shadyside deserves a better reputation and she’s willing to fight for it — especially since her girlfriend Sam now lives in Sunnyvale, the safe and wealthy counterpart to Shadyside. Their story in Fear Street: Part 1 is almost like an angsty, sapphic Romeo & Juliet from the ’90s.

Based on R.L. Stine’s book series, the Fear Street franchise is a journey about demanding to be seen. Across the span of multiple centuries, a curse dooms Shadyside to forever exist in Sunnyvale’s eclipse. But thanks to Deena, who never backs down from a fight, Shadyside finally has a chance at redemption. We love a comeback story.

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Owen and Maddy, I Saw the TV Glow

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Why are queer people drawn to the horror genre? That’s an excellent question, with many equally excellent answers. On my part, I believe it’s because society often deems us grotesque or evil. So, in turn, we’re compelled to witness monsters unflinchingly or with fascination. What we’ve been told is repulsive about ourselves and others becomes a source of infinite entertainment, inspiration, and enjoyment. It’s a version of self-love. And, like all geeks, we immerse ourselves fully in books, shows, games, or movies that we are moved by and reflected in. It’s a beautiful feeling to find a mirror in your favorite characters … even if you’re just projecting.

I Saw the TV Glow (2024) is particularly resonant because it demonstrates that exact situation. Owen and Maddy struggle with their home lives, mental illness, and bullying. They walk around in their own bodies as if they’re ill-fitting suits. All that can cure the endless misery that is life is their beloved horror television show, which brings the two characters together in the most mind-blowing, beautiful way a writer could comprehend. I won’t spoil the twists and turns, as there are many, each as riveting as the last.

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Laurel, Bit

If given the choice, many people would jump at the chance to become supernatural. Even more than you might think. To the Paranormal Powers That Be, if you’re listening… Anyway, Laurel (played by the always awesome Nicole Maines) is given that very choice in Bit, a vampire film that takes the well-loved tradition of lesbian vampire flicks and sets its heart on fire. Literally, at some points in the movie there are flaming hearts. And that’s just the tip of the stake.

Led by Duke, a group of vampires in Los Angeles seeks to defy the misogynistic influence of Vlad, an elder male vampire. Part of that mission is to only turn women into vampires. Newly turned vampire Laurel quickly questions just who they choose to kill and how she, a trans woman, fits into that narrative. Duke says they try to target the trolls of society, but they’re about 80/20 on the only-killing-bad-people front. Not horrible odds, all things considered. Bit brings unique lore to vampiredom and it raises the question of who should be allowed to wield power. When society is constantly out for blood, sometimes there’s no choice but to push back. As Duke says, “We’re made to be monsters, so let’s be monsters.”

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Liz Taylor and Tristan Duffy, AHS Hotel

section contributed by writer Jasmine Edwards

Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s American Horror Story anthology series is full of bizarre and blasphemous plots, characters, and relationships. Think of the craziest, goriest, most shocking and controversial story you know. Now hit it with a nuclear bomb, and within that radiant fallout, you’re approaching AHS territory. Tame is not in these writers’ vocabularies — and really, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Still, some of these couples can be incredibly tender. Take, for instance, Liz Taylor and Tristan Duffy from season 5, subtitled Hotel (2015).

Hotel is fraught with tragedies and deaths. And most characters can’t even move on, trapped as spirits in an endless cycle of suffering. Liz, a brilliant and resilient trans woman, survives and outlasts the lot of them. But she can’t forget her lost love Tristan, and chooses to end her days at the Hotel Cortez even after leaving it just so she has a chance to reunite with him. Turns out, thankfully, not even death can do them part. Embracing him at the end, Liz tells Tristan, “Baby, you are to die for.” And they haunted happily ever after.

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Go ahead — be gay, do horror. Who are your favorite queer characters in horror movies and TV?

Join the conversation with other horror fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!