10 Lesbian Coded Films to Watch Over the Holiday Break

Many of us who are fortunate enough to get some extra time off around the holidays love to pass the time watching movies. We all know the lesbian classics, like The Hunger, Desert Hearts, and Bound, and some of the films with kick-ass women who just might be in love, like Thelma & Louise. But there’s also plenty to enjoy in films you may have overlooked because of their age or genre, or because they vanished so quickly from cinemas.

Many of us who are fortunate enough to get some extra time off around the holidays love to pass the time watching movies. We all know the lesbian classics, like The Hunger, Desert Hearts, and Bound, and some of the films with kick-ass women who just might be in love, like Thelma & Louise. But there’s also plenty to enjoy in films you may have overlooked because of their age or genre, or because they vanished so quickly from cinemas. Some offer top actresses as out-and-proud lesbians, some have same-sex desire simmering under the radar, and some simply depict solid female bonding that makes you want the characters to take it up a notch. In no particular order, here are 10 worth a look.

Black Widow:

This sexy, compelling 1987 thriller gives us two strong, beautiful women who, it’s been observed, would undoubtedly have been lovers under other circumstances. But as the circumstances have it, Theresa Russell’s Catharine (is that even her real name?) is an identity-shifting serial killer of wealthy husbands, and Debra Winger’s Alex is a tenacious federal agent tracking her. Their game of cat and mouse is consummately entertaining; as bonuses, Russell kisses Winger and tells her their relationship is the most memorable of her life.

Rebecca:

This 1940 melodrama was Alfred Hitchcock’s first American movie and, amazingly, the only one of his to win the Best Picture Oscar. Among its many pleasures is Judith Anderson as housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, who obviously carries a torch for the late Rebecca de Winter and torments the young woman (Joan Fontaine) who succeeds Rebecca as mistress of the manor house Manderley. Mrs. D. is by no means a positive character, but she’s hugely fun to watch. It’s said that Hitchcock was warned against portraying lesbian desire in the film, but he certainly got it across.

The Haunting:

The 1963 original is so many times better than the misguided 1999 remake, there’s no comparison. It’s ideal for Halloween viewing but enjoyably chilling any time of year. Gorgeous Claire Bloom is the clairvoyant Theo, a chic early-’60s lipstick lesbian; she sports a Mary Quant wardrobe, runs a little shop in Greenwich Village, and wants to be more than “like sisters” with poor, repressed Eleanor (Julie Harris) while they investigate paranormal happenings in a truly creepy New England mansion. There’s no blood and gore (which the remake took to excess), but this movie may still make you want to sleep with the lights on—as compensation, Bloom will definitely haunt your dreams.

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