The Best Horror Movie Final Girls From the 2020s

As a huge horror fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the common themes and characters we see again and again. One of the most famous is the “final girl.” This term was actually created by Carol J. Clover back in 1992, and it describes the last woman standing in a slasher movie-she’s the one who uses her smarts and strength to survive the killer’s attacks. She’s usually pretty resourceful and isn’t afraid to fight, and honestly, the final girl has become a really important part of what makes a horror movie, well, *horror*. It’s become a defining component of the genre, and it’s interesting to see how filmmakers play with the trope. You can find more information about it here.

Characters like Sidney Prescott (Scream), Laurie Strode (Halloween), and Ellen Ripley (Alien) have become legends in the horror genre. These iconic figures are now some of the most well-known faces in slasher movies today.

The concept of horror has changed a lot over time, and with that, so has the idea of who a “final girl” is. Here are some of the most memorable horror characters from the 2020s that perfectly represent what a modern final girl looks like, presented in no specific order.

Grace Le Domas (Ready Or Not)

Among a group of incredibly strong women, Grace Le Domas (Samara Weaving) truly stands out. Seriously, escaping a crazed family’s violent, centuries-old ritual-while wearing a wedding dress?!

Ready Or Not tells the story of Grace, who gets married to the man of her dreams at his family’s fancy estate. Soon after the wedding, Grace realizes the family has a strange tradition for welcoming new spouses. At midnight, she’s forced to pick a game at random – and things quickly start to go wrong!

The situation becomes frightening when Grace picks “Hide and Seek.” The game’s rules state that Grace must hide from her family until sunrise-while they actively hunt her with weapons like guns and crossbows. After discovering the terrifying reality of the game, Grace is forced to fight to stay alive, relying on her intelligence and strength to make it through the night. Her will to survive is what truly establishes her as a final girl. The film concludes with Grace smoking a cigarette while wearing a blood-stained dress, symbolizing her complete change into a tough, resilient survivor.

Deena Johnson (Fear Street Trilogy)

Kiana Madeira plays Deena Johnson, who you might recognize from the popular and scary Fear Street trilogy on Netflix. Deena is a resident of Shadyside, a town known for being cursed and unlucky. Life in Shadyside means that death and bad luck seem to constantly happen to its people.

This series is based on the books by R.L. Stine and starts with Fear Street Part One: 1994. Deena and her friends are haunted by an old curse that has troubled the town of Shadyside for hundreds of years, and they have to escape the dangerous killers from its history. The three-part story follows the group as they try to discover where the deadly curse came from and save Shadyside for good. The following movies, 1978 and 1666, explore Shadyside’s violent past in more detail.

Driven to survive the terrifying killers and fiercely protect her girlfriend and brother, Deena perfectly embodies the modern final girl. As a woman of color and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she offers a fresh and unique take on this classic trope.

Emerald “Em” Haywood (Nope)

Em Haywood (Kiki Palmer) is a character who offers a fresh take on the ‘final girl’ archetype. Her sharp humor is enjoyable, and it’s her intelligence and bravery that ultimately lead to success. She’s not just surviving – she’s a true hero.

Nope tells the story of OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Em Haywood, brother and sister, who are trying to get evidence of a strange flying object that’s causing trouble on their ranch in California. Mysterious objects are falling from the sky, and people are vanishing. Determined to succeed, Em manages to destroy the unusual force, while also getting the proof they need to show it’s real.

In many horror stories, the comedic character who is Black and queer is often the first victim. However, Em breaks this pattern, challenging typical tropes and making her a truly remarkable figure in the horror genre. She stands out because she doesn’t fit the usual mold.

Sam Carpenter (Scream, Scream IV)

From Sidney Prescott to Gale Weathers, the Scream series is known for its iconic final girls. Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) fits right in. She’s a powerful example of strength, intelligence, and determination, and she’ll do whatever it takes to keep her family and friends safe. Sam doesn’t just fight against Ghostface; she also struggles with a dark side of her own.

In Scream (2022), Sam takes on the role of the older sister, fiercely protecting her and Tara (Jenna Ortega) as they are pursued by a clever killer wearing a mask. They barely survive the brutal attacks and become connected to the murders, with danger continuing to follow them in Scream IV.

What captivates audiences about Sam is her connection to Billy Loomis, the very first Ghostface killer – she’s his biological daughter. To protect herself and her sister, Sam has to confront and accept this troubling family history. Throughout the series, her journey of self-discovery and struggle really establishes her as a memorable and compelling character.

Tara Carpenter (Scream, Scream IV)

Following Sam, it’s important to also recognize Tara Carpenter. She’s a strong and determined fighter who battles Ghostface alongside her sister. Played by Jenna Ortega, Tara’s realistic fear and willingness to fight back create a compelling balance of vulnerability and strength.

In Scream (2022), Tara is the initial target in the new wave of Woodsboro killings. Unlike many horror movies, she survives the attack. Over the course of the films, we watch her evolve from someone who was attacked to someone who fights back. She withstands constant threats from several violent killers, making her a particularly striking example of the ‘final girl’ character.

Maxine Minx (X, MaXXXine)

No list of horror icons would be complete without mentioning Mia Goth. She starred in the slasher films X and its follow-up, MaXXXine, playing Maxine Minx, a character who breaks the mold of the typical ‘final girl’. Maxine is a driven and fearless adult film star with ambitions of becoming a recognized actress and achieving lasting fame.

X tells the story of a group of young filmmakers shooting an adult film on a remote Texas farm. What the crew doesn’t know is that the farm is owned by a murderous couple who start hunting them down. The film’s main character, Maxine, breaks the mold of the typical “final girl”; she uses drugs and isn’t always presented as sympathetic. However, her strong will to live and her perseverance have resonated with audiences.

In MaXXXine, we watch Maxine finally get her chance at stardom, but her past comes back to haunt her when a shadowy figure begins to stalk her, threatening to expose her dark secrets. This movie concludes the X trilogy.

Naru (Prey)

Similar to the other characters, Naru (Amber Midthunder) is both strong and clever. People often underestimate her, but she’s a talented healer and hunter within her Comanche tribe. She finds herself in serious trouble when she comes face-to-face with the Predator – a very intelligent alien who hunts humans for the thrill of it.

Driven and dedicated to safeguarding her community, Naru faces the creature in a fierce fight. Ultimately, she cleverly overcomes and defeats the alien hunter, establishing herself as a brave and capable fighter. As a result, she is named the new war chief of her tribe.

Sienna Shaw (Terrifier 2)

Known for its incredibly violent and disturbing deaths, Terrifier 2 quickly became popular with horror fans and a success in theaters. The film also gave us one of the strongest and most memorable female protagonists of the 2020s. Surviving an encounter with a killer clown? That really shows strength and determination.

In Terrifier 2, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) finds herself targeted by the evil Art the Clown on Halloween. As the disturbingly expressive villain wants to continue his violent rampage, the teenage Sienna must fight back to save herself and her brother from a gruesome fate. Despite enduring Art’s horrific attacks, Sienna ultimately manages to defeat the seemingly immortal clown using her own supernatural abilities.

Facing what many consider the most evil villain on this list, Sienna has certainly proven herself as a noteworthy and memorable final girl of recent times.

Beth Bixler (Evil Dead Rise)

The latest film in the Evil Dead series, Evil Dead Rise, follows two sisters who haven’t spoken in a while as they struggle against terrifying demons that take over people’s bodies. Beth Bixler (Lily Sullivan) shows incredible bravery and strength while fighting to survive, making her a true example of a classic final girl.

When her sister is taken over by terrifying creatures, Beth is determined to safeguard her nieces and nephew. She’s forced to make tough decisions, and eventually resorts to a chainsaw and shotgun to finally stop the horrifying ordeal.

Beth’s ability to think on her feet and her unwavering dedication to protecting her family make her a particularly memorable final girl. It’s important to remember that fighting vicious, demonic creatures is incredibly challenging, to begin with. After all, it’s not something anyone could easily do. Her strength really shines through.

2025-10-02 18:35