In our follow up to our Spook Central Recommended Viewings: Bad, Bad Mommas, we are serving up a new list of maternal horror films. In this installment we offer you a spine-chilling selection of pregnancy horror, a.k.a. Scary Baby Bumps!
Pregnancy is a vulnerable time for a mother-to-be. Her body is blooming with life and she is at a physical disadvantage. This can trigger deep seated feelings of helplessness when danger is at hand. In another aspect, it can also represent an invasion of the body, a deep-rooted violation.
The concept of not being in control of your body is a terrifying aspect when crafted into effective cinematic storytelling. The following Spook Central recommendations feature impregnation as a facet of horror. And be warned, some of these movies are not for the weak of stomach!
Slither (2006)
Before smashing it out of the park with Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, James Gunn gifted us this gem of a film. Slither is a raucous horror comedy with a fantastic cast! Starring Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks, and Michael Rooker, it features a hilarious script and gag-worthy gore.
Brenda James plays the unlucky Brenda Gutierrez, who is impregnated by an alien creature. Her character undergoes a gross transformation that is not for the faint of heart. Although Brenda’s arc is not the center of the film, it’s a major plot point. This deems it worthy of our list.
The movie features wonderful practical effects and gags. There are a couple of scenes of dated CGI, but they are forgivable. Gunn’s uses snappy dialogue and maintains a constant undercurrent of humor making Slither a joy to re-watch. It’s currently streaming on Peacock with ads, or available to rent on Amazon Prime.
Inside (2007)
Looking for a completely wild twist on the home invasion horror sub-genre? Make it a point to check out the French language film by co-directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, Inside or À l’intérieur.
A young woman, Sarah (Alysson Paradis) is nine months pregnant and scheduled to be induced the following day. During the night, a crazed woman (Béatrice Dalle) is hell-bent on breaking into her house. The woman, known only as La Femme, wants to claim the infant for herself. On the last night of her late pregnancy, Sarah engages in a bloody fight for her life.
And bloody only begins to describe this film. Inside is a drag out, no-holds-barred, savage fight for survival with a shocking ending. Despite the sensitive subject matter, the movie is thrilling and fun. This film is a perfect choice for horror lovers that appreciate gore with integrity. Inside is truly a work of art and is streaming on The Criterion Channel.
The Alien Saga
You can’t deny that the scariest aspect of the xenomorph aliens is that they incubate in your body. First, a scary face-hugger wraps itself around your face. It shoves a proboscis down your throat and impregnates your abdomen with an alien embryo. Wait long enough, and a miniature, acid bleeding alien bursts through your tummy. No thanks!
Granted, we all have different feelings about Prometheus. But there is impregnation, and the C-section scene is terrifying. This element holds true through all the incarnations of the xenomorph sagas.
You might be a fan of Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) struggle with her alien nemesis through generations of time in Aliens, Alien3, and Alien: Resurrection. Or perhaps you are keener on the philosophical slant of Ridley Scott’s original film Alien, prequel Prometheus, and sequel Alien: Covenant.
The one constant remains. You won’t survive if the creatures impregnate you. Your death will be painful and ugly. It’s true sci-fi horror in its most visceral nature. Revisit your favorites this spooky season and if you feel like some silly nonsense, consider the AVP options. Just kidding, don’t.
Alien, Aliens, Alien3 and Alien: Resurrection are streaming on AMC+ for your binging pleasure. Prometheus is streaming on Amazon Prime. Alien: Covenant is streaming on Fubo or available for rent on Apple+.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
A Roman Polanski horror masterpiece, Rosemary’s Baby is arguably the best movie on this list. The film is a powerful critique on the suppression of women, and includes a famously diabolical twist.
Mia Farrow plays the innocent Catholic wife, Rosemary. Rosemary and her husband (John Cassavetes) have been trying for a baby with no success. They move into an ominous apartment building for a change of luck. Deceptively helpful and invasive, the members of the apartment community are a creepy bunch indeed.
Rosemary becomes pregnant, but something isn’t right. She is gas-lighted, manipulated, and belittled by her husband and neighbors. Ruth Gordon won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this film as Minnie Castevet. Her performance as the pushy neighbor is amazing, as much as it is chilling.
The movie deftly tackles the lack of personal control experienced by women in abusive situations. Rosemary is totally vulnerable, alone, and surrounded by enemies. By making the film rich with subtext, Polanski made it memorable and the twist punchy. This bone-chilling film is currently streaming on Stars.
Good Manners (2017)
Co-directors Marco Dutra and Juliana Rojas, bring us an interesting genre-bender in the Brazilian film, Good Manners or As Boas Maneiras. The intimate film is carried by the beautiful Isabél Zuaa taking up most of the screen time.
She plays Clara, a quiet nurse who applies for a nanny position to care for the pregnant, Ana. The fiery Ana, played by Marjorie Estiano, has been cast out by her family for her illegitimate pregnancy. She’s alone and in need of companionship and support. The two women form a beautiful bond.
Unfortunately, Ana is not experiencing a normal pregnancy. Clara’s deep love for Ana forces her to make horrifying decisions that permanently affect and endanger her life. A sensual slow burn horror flick with elements of the classics, Good Manners is a fantastic movie for the Halloween season. It’s streaming on Shudder for your viewing pleasure.
It’s Alive (1977)
This classic creeper was directed and penned by Larry Cohen. Later, Cohen went on to direct the two sequels, in case you feel like the perusing the trilogy. He also worked on the screenplay for the remake in 2009. It’s Alive is more of a post-partum creature-feature, but it’s close enough to make the list.
A mutated baby is born to a loving family and promptly begins a horrific killing spree. The sound design on the baby is over-blown. Thus, it works to sear its horrible and grating pitch into your brain.
John P. Ryan, who plays the unfortunate father gives a solid performance as Frank. For its time, it was truly terrifying and the stuff of nightmares. It’s Alive is streaming on Direct TV and Watch TCM.
Grace (2009)
Disturbing and harrowing, Paul Solet’s Grace is a movie that clings to you for days. Jordan Ladd plays Madeline, a grieving widow who survives a car accident and learns that her baby died in utero.
Unconvinced to abort her child, Madeline decides to keep her baby to term. This is despite pressure otherwise. Subsequently, she gives birth to a not-quite-dead baby girl, whom she names Grace.
As Madeline cares for her ‘special needs’ infant, her body and mind spiral into murderous insanity. Adding to the trauma is Madeline’s mother-in-law from hell, Vivian. Played effectively by Gabrielle Rose, Vivian pushes her own psychologically broken agenda into the mix.
Triggering and brilliantly paced, Grace rocked the festival circuit in 2009. The movie takes a ghoulish approach to maternal horror. It’s also a critique on the powerful pressure experienced by women during pregnancy. It can be streamed on Tubi or rented on AppleTV.
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