How To Spot A Final Girl

2024 EVVY Nominee for Outstanding Opinion Article

Art by Liz Farias

Gale Weathers. Grace Le Domas. Emerald Haywood. Maxine Minx. If this pattern is sounding familiar, it’s because all of these women are legendary and badass “final girls.” The idea of the final girl is a massive trope in horror films, and it refers to the last girl or woman left alive. Seeing as a common plot line in horror films is the subsequent and anxiety-inducing killing of several victims one-by-one, being the final girl is a pretty big deal. It means, out of all the movie’s characters, they are the quickest on their feet, the most clever, and the most willing to do anything to see another day.

The term final girl was coined by Carol J. Clover in one of her books, Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film, a deep-dive into the golden age of films deemed slashers. The three pillars that make up the final girl, according to Clover’s definition, are 1. being the sole survivor in a group of people being chased by a killer, 2. getting a final confrontation of which can either include killing the villain, escaping or being saved by someone else, and 3. maintaining a moral superiority to that of her fellow victims; something admirable that sets her apart and makes her worthy of staying alive.

Over the years, the idea of the final girl has certainly evolved. From sexual orientation to racial identity, the make-up of a final girl has been diversified to include all kinds of shapes and sizes. Say bye-bye to Black people always dying first, and hello to the female protagonist fighting the killer to save her girlfriend, not just her boyfriend. Cinema’s undergone changes, which means that there’s really only two ways to identify a final girl now: by her stellar, distinct personality and drop dead gorgeous look.

In the past, most final girls have tended to be damsels in distress. “They were always dressed more conservative than their counterparts [and] fashion dictates the personality of the character. The more conservatively they’re dressed, the less sexuality they have, the higher chance they have of being the final girl,” says Ashleeta Beauchamp, writer, entrepreneur, dancer and horror expert (she/her). Conservatism as the key to surviving murder? I mean, how boring does that sound?! Thankfully, now final girls are more identifiable because they stick up for themselves and survive due to their own abilities. Naturally, their fashion choices reflect this independent and ultimately feminist change.

A common thread in final girl looks of the modern day is the power they exude, the confidence and determination that is elevated by their outfit. There’s also cases like Jennifer Love Hewitt’s portrayal of Julie James from I Know What You Did Last Summer, where she actually uses her wardrobe, a deceivingly girl-next-door look, to escape the killer. Her outfit is not just cute—it aids in her survival. Every choice is deliberate, so if you see an actor on screen that catches your eye because their clothes juxtapose their character, or goes against the norm established in mainstream film, you’re probably right to assume they’re a final girl.

But… how exactly do you spot a modern final girl with a killer style? What’s the formula?

The main thing to remember is that they’re going to wear something out of the ordinary for women in their character’s societal scenarios. For example, in her lace top, crinoline skirt, Converse and bandolier, Ready or Not’s Grace looks like a bride gone to war on her wedding night (which isn’t far off from the actual premise of the movie). While being in all white aligns with themes of purity found in former films, Grace is styled like a warrior, which makes her much more than just a pretty bride. In Scream, Kirby Reed sports blazers and leather jackets, clothing items that historically for women represent a sense of power and agency. As early on as the 1970s this shift became obvious, with the suit working as a symbol of equality and feminism.

X’s Maxine is similarly unique in her design. The overalls she chooses to wear might seem to be simple denim clothing on the surface, but considering she is nude underneath in many scenes, you realize that the stylists are actually making a bold and deliberate choice. Maxine’s subtle comfortability with her sexuality is part of the agency that many past final girls were not allowed to have. Compared to side characters Lorraine, with her plain schoolgirl look, and Bobby-Lynne, the Marilyn Monroe wannabe, it’s explicitly clear who’s different based on their authentic wardrobe alone. The scandalous ensemble indicates early on that Maxine’s going to be a contender, if not the contender. Even without the dialogue and story letting you know that Maxine believes she is destined for greatness, one look at Maxine, her overalls, and bright blue eyeshadow should tell you she’s got final girl status. 

These days, the final girl’s outfits are always going to shock and surprise. It’s all about the spectacle, and the drama. One might think of Florence Pugh’s Dani Ardor (Midsommar) who dresses head to toe like a true cult leader and unconventional final girl: in divine and gaudy flowers that cover all parts of her body with the exception of her face. Ardor is an untraditional final girl who survives a mental battle just as much as a physical one. Often called the villain of Midsommar, Dani sticks out just as much, if not more, than other final girls mentioned. Choosing her toxic, god-awful boyfriend as a ritualistic sacrifice is perhaps one of the most badass things a final girl has done yet, and she has a badass costume to match.

What truly gives these final girl looks their legendary status is the attitude that carries their outfits. As the final girl trope has evolved, the power in being the last to survive has been reclaimed by femme-identifying people and BIPOC individuals. In all of these characters, you can see their silent resolve, their pride in making it out of an awful situation, which is amplified by their defining fits. Making space for different voices to be heard and different clothes to be worn is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most interesting shifts in horror.