Movies
Our Favorite Bi Coded Characters in Horror
Representation of bi folks has been difficult over the years. There is still resistance to the idea that bi people are real and not a mythical creature made up by those who are simply confused. And there is still the struggle to recognize that one’s relationship does not necessarily change or define their sexuality. Representation has gotten better, especially in television. These characters have more time to develop, grow, and date multiple partners. But saying that bi, bi-coded, or other people identifying as sexually fluid (pansexual, demisexual, polysexual, queer, etc.) have not been represented throughout film history would be misleading. Horror is a haven for queer-coded characters, so here is a list of our favorite characters with such characteristics.
Representation of bi folks has been difficult over the years. There is still resistance to the idea that bi people are real and not a mythical creature made up by those who are simply confused. And there is still the struggle to recognize that one’s relationship does not necessarily change or define their sexuality. Representation has gotten better, especially in television. These characters have more time to develop, grow, and date multiple partners. But saying that bi, bi-coded, or other people identifying as sexually fluid (pansexual, demisexual, polysexual, queer, etc.) have not been represented throughout film history would be misleading.
For the purpose of this piece, “bi” is used to define those who show attraction to their gender and those of other genders. Not often is it explicitly said, and many do not engage in sex. But plenty is coded when it comes to the spectrum of sexual fluidity.
Horror is a haven for queer-coded characters, so here is a list of our favorite characters with such characteristics.
Our Favorite Bi Coded Characters in Horror
Lee – Bones and All (2022)
Timothée Chalamet portrays another bi character who enjoys feasting on human flesh. While the story centers on the blossoming romance between Lee and another cannibal, Maren (Taylor Russell), Lee does have sexual relations with a male carnival worker whom he later feasts upon.
Theodora – The Haunting (1963)
Shirley Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House, is a classic queer coded story. The 1999 adaptation makes Theodora come off as sexually promiscuous, but in the 1963 version, she has an intimate relationship with Eleanor (Julie Harris), and it alludes to a relationship with a woman back home. She also flirts with others in the house like Luke (Russ Tamblyn) which makes Eleanor jealous.
James – Crash (1996)
Many characters in this J.G. Ballard adaptation show sexual fluidity. But there’s a focus on the protagonist James (James Spader) and the car crash sex cult leader Vaughn (Elias Koteas). There is initially resistance, it culminates in a particularly passionate and violent sexual encounter.
Jennifer – Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer is one of the few who make their identity clear, announcing, “I go both ways” by the film’s end. Meghan Fox has made her bisexual identity clear, so it is no surprise her character does the same. Jennifer seduces multiple men along with her best friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) who she kisses in one of the steamier scenes. She’s a monstrous femme and queer horror icon.
Valeria – Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022)
This recent Mexican folk horror focuses on Valeria (Natalia Solián) whose pregnancy puts increasing strain on relations with her husband. This puts her back into the arms of former lover Octavia (Mayra Batalla), leading to a memorable passionate sex scene.
Phillip – Rope (1948)
This queer coded classic focuses on Brandon (John Dall) and Phillip (Farley Granger) who kill a friend to prove they can commit the perfect crime. Granger specifically identified as bisexual. The murder is intimate and has the weight of a forbidden sexual encounter. Phillip is a nervous wreck throughout the film, much like someone uncertain about their identity.
May – May (2002)
May (Angela Bettis) just wants a lover. She is infatuated with Adam (Jeremy Sisto) but he pushes her away. This leads her to Polly (Anna Faris). But Polly wants an open relationship, which sends May spiraling. May is less concerned about gender than she is about commitment.
Josef – Creep (2014)
There is a level of intimacy Josef (Mark Duplass) has with his victims. First Aaron (Patrick Brice) and then Sara (Desiree Akhavanin) in the sequel. There is a focused and sexually charged nature to it. The announcement of The Creep Tapes show also happened during Pride month. Coincidence? Perhaps. Maybe more will be revealed in the show.
Miriam – The Hunger (1983)
Vampires are the queerest of horror monsters. Eternal life would be bland without a bit of exploration. Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) is a serial monogamist but she cannot give eternal life, she can only extend it. When her current lover John (David Bowie) begins to die she looks for her next relationship. She ultimately finds a sexual connection with Sarah (Susan Sarandon).
Trapper – Godzilla x Kong (2024)
For queer kaiju lovers, we understand what Wingard is throwing at us. Not only do we get a kaiju throuple; Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra the human story mirrors it. This centers on Trapper (Dan Stevens), who is always bathed in bisexual lighting, pairing him with former lover Ilene (Rebecca Hall) and a blossoming connection with Bernie (Brian Tyree Henry).
Tomie – Tomie (1998)
Fans of Manga artist Junji Ito may not know that his series Tomie has been adapted into 9 films since the late 90s. Bi-coding is in many of the films but especially in this first entry where Tomie (Miho Kanno) haunts and steals the boyfriends of her former best friend Tsukiko. This acts as a way to get closer to Tsukiko, much like Jennifer does to Needy in Jennifer’s Body.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter – Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
There is surely a better label for this fluid alien from Transexual, Transylvania, but Frank (Tim Curry) seems ready to pounce on anyone who catches his eye. Which forces others to question their sexuality such as; Brad (Barry Bostwick), Eddie (Meatloaf), and Rocky (Peter Hinwood). Few pleasures are off the menu in this cult classic.
Jackie – Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
One of the newest entries to the bi club is Jackie (Katy O’Brian) a central character in this sapphic thriller. While her relationship with Lou (Kristen Stewart) is an all encompassing kind of love, Jackie does engage in sex play with JJ (Dave Franco). But as we know, just because you are in a sapphic love story does not mean your bi identity gets erased.
One of the best things about film is fluid interpretations, much like sexuality and gender. There are plenty of other characters that could make this list and in the future we can only hope that more are out and proud and less coded.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in April 2026
Shudder is still being coy about its Halfway to Halloween programming. Which means none of us know the full April line-up yet. However, that is not going to stop me from telling you what to watch on the app. I have taken it upon myself to list five of my favorite movies on the streamer. These are movies I have not had the chance to gush about, as they are not new. Most of the five titles are Shudder Exclusives and/or Originals that are the reason I committed to the app. So, if we have similar tastes in films, you might dig some of these gems almost as much as I do. Get ready to laugh, cry, and sleep with the lights on because I have curated a very weird list of bangers you can stream now.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
A Jane Doe is rolled into a coroner’s office, where he and his son soon learn there is more to this murder victim than meets the eye. The Autopsy of Jane Doe is one of the scariest movies I have seen in my adult life. It is suspenseful, wicked, quiet, and unassuming. This witch is serving mystery, immaculate vibes, and the kind of chills we never get anymore. While I usually praise the acting when gushing about this creepy banger, it is the unsettling atmosphere that truly sends me to hell each watch. Do yourself a favor and hit play on Jane Doe this month while she is on Shudder. You’ve earned a nice waking nightmare, and this is the girl. Also, can Emile Hirsch please do more horror because he’s so damn good in this?
Scare Me (2020)
Two strangers tell each other stories in a secluded cabin during a power outage. Scare Me is one of the main reasons I started getting the yearly Shudder subscription. I describe it as a weird feminist love letter to theatre kids because it hit all of those parts of my brain. It is a clever way to pull off an indie anthology and was surprisingly laugh-out-loud funny. Also, Aya Cash wears an iconic sweater in this movie that will become your new personality. I love Werewolves Within and Heart Eyes. However, I am always telling the Josh Ruben stans they need to check out this gem. Scare Me is for the nerds like me and you (I am assuming if you’re reading all of this).
The Dark and The Wicked (2020)
Two adult siblings head to their family’s secluded farmhouse because their father is dying. They soon discover their father’s impending death is the least of their worries when something evil begins tormenting them. Bryan Bertino screws with the rhythm of the scares, which amps up the creepiness of this terrifying tale. This movie also introduced most of us to Marin Ireland who is becoming a horror staple these days. This movie is a moment for so many reasons and I hope you remember to watch it with the lights off. Shudder fully snapped when they added The Dark and The Wicked to their library. There are so many disturbing moments that live rent-free in my brain, and I guess I am welcome.
Satan’s Slaves (2017)
Death is just the beginning for one mother. This Joko Anwar remake is one of the most chaotic things on Shudder. It is haunting, cool, and messy in the best ways. I take advantage of this movie and Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion being on the app and watch them back to back every year. If you somehow missed the Anwar fan wagon, you will want to have someone save you a seat for after you watch these movies. Satan’s Slaves is serving fucked up families, fuck them kids, and demons. What more could we possibly ask for in our cinema? I personally am still hoping we will get a third entry because I love this world so much.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
A girl joins a group of street children after her mother disappears. Issa Lopez’s tragic tale is beautiful, upsetting, and so human it hurts. She wove magical realism and social commentary into what was the first Shudder film to make me cry. I was in no way ready for this devastating emotional journey, and I cannot recommend this title enough. Tigers Are Not Afraid introduced me to Lopez’s work and what a damn good way to get to know her as an artist. Brace yourselves for some crying, and thank me later.
Those are five of my favorite movies that happen to be on Shudder. They are all over the place, but excel in their lanes. They each remain some of my favorite titles on the beloved streamer, and I do not see that changing soon. Let us know your five favorite movies on Shudder in the comments.
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in April 2026
Netflix heard it was spring and broke out the good stuff. They are helping us throw off that winter sadness and get into that death business. Suns out, guns out…or however that saying goes. To be fair, the lineup has been pretty packed lately, which has resulted in a bottleneck in my Netflix queue. Admittedly, that is my favorite of all of my problems I have at the moment. But still, I must push forward because there is so much to catch up on. This is why most of my picks this month are titles that also have homework for me. Some are international, some are horror, and some are gangsters serving face. However, I am excited for each of them and so ready to tell you why I think they are the best bets this month.
So, hop into my mind palace and see what five Netflix goodies I am checking out this April.
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
Death Whisperer (2023)
A man returns to his hometown and discovers his sister is suffering from a bizarre illness. This sounds like a possession film to me, and I am finally hitting play. I looked up one day and realized there were three of these films on Netflix. I am not a huge fan of franchises, but I know how most streamers treat films from Thailand. So, this one getting a whole trilogy seems like something I can get involved with. It is also set in 1972 and based on a novel, so the horror vibes will be immaculate. I also found out this was the first Thai movie to be shown in IMAX, and that is a very cool fact. Hopefully, it is as good as I need it to be.
The Green Knight (2021)
A24 adapted Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with Dev Patel. That is all I need to know to get me to sit at this knight’s round table. It is described as a dark fantasy, and I cannot believe I missed this when it came out. I am adding this to the list of things the pandemic took from me as I hit play. I might even have to watch this a couple of times…for research. Is that research looking at Dev Patel and bullying more friends into watching Monkey Man? Who can say?
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (2026)
Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) is pulled back into the life he left behind to end it one way or the other. I am using this movie arriving on Netflix to force me to finally finish this binge that I keep pausing. I do not enjoy being the last person to finish Peaky Blinders. So, I know I would hate not being one of the first people to hit play when it hits the streamers. Aside from thirsting over Murphy, this movie looks sick. It also gives my couch potato heart the promise of closure that I am not sure the show had the chance to give to fans who watched it in real time. So, this is one of those times being late works in my favor. Sorry to everyone who had to wait an eternity for this while I just hop into the express lane.
Re/Member: The Last Night (2025)
Six high school students are forced to break a curse in order to escape a deadly time loop. Re/Member has been on my list since it landed on Netflix. It is a Japanese horror based on a popular manga about kids dying in a time loop. So, all those words lead me to believe this is my kind of party. However, I never got around to it and am so ashamed. Which is why I’m double-focusing on both movies this month. I hope they give me nightmares because that is the only way I will learn my lesson. I also just really miss horror movies that are actually scary.
That Night (2026)
A single mother gets entangled with a murder, and her sister’s attempts to help backfire. This limited series is a Spanish Netflix Original, and it looks fun. Listen! I also firmly believe in supporting women in crime, and I get the impression this group will commit at least a couple of crimes. I am ready for some murder, secrets, drama, and thrills! This winter was rough and I want to feel alive this April. I am hoping that this might be the binge to do it. Wish me luck and I will see you on the other side!
I know it is no surprise that I will be avoiding the outdoors this month. However, I appreciate Netflix for making it easy for me. Why would I go anywhere when I have these titles at home? Thanks for reading my thoughts on all these things I hope I like. Feel free to let us know what you’re watching this month in the comments.



