Holy Terrors is a monthly column highlighting the Jewish talent behind some of our favorite horror films.

✡️✡️✡️

5 Queer Jews to Admire in the Horror Scene

As a bi/pan Jew myself, I always gush when I see other queer Jews on the silver screen. It’s like this little thrill that makes my already waaaay too-excitable heart go over the edge…Though it certainly doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, there’s an undeniable abundance of talent possessed by Jewish icons in the horror industry. Of course, the following list I’ve compiled is in NO WAY comprehensive, though if you’re looking to scope out some stellar talent from LBTQIA+ Jews amidst and behind genre cinema, here’s a good place to start!

✡️🌈 Bex-Taylor Klaus

Due to my undying crush on Bex Taylor-Klaus and the fact that I’m the one writing this list, I’ll start with them. Not only is this Jewish nonbinary badass a sorely under-rated actor, their horror range is off the charts! From Scream: The TV Series (2015) to the deliciously devilish Hell Fest (2018) — which, like Taylor-Klaus themself, is extremely underloved — Bex has a resonant presence in the genre and leaves a hell (fest) of an impact. Additionally, Taylor-Klaus also appeared on episodes of iZombie (2015) and Vampire: The Masquerade: L.A. By Night (2018) as well as 2018’s moody horror-thriller Discarnate. Personally, though, my favorite appearance of theirs next to Hell Fest is on this episode of podcast Most Presents: The Homo Schedule, where my undeserving ears can hear Bex speak with fellow queer ANGEL Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets, 5cream).

✡️🌈 Hari Neff

Next up, we have endlessly glorious trans actress Hari Nef. Multitalented and stab-you-in-the-heart gorgeous, Nef is a model, fashionista, and killer actress. After seeing her for the first time on season one of Netflix’s YOU (2018), I was instantly enamored (I would die for Blythe). However, her stand-out role in bloody genre-bender Assassination Nation (2018) takes her talent to the next level. Her presence on-screen feels like poetry. I don’t know any other way to put it. If you’re looking for some additional horror-adjacent Nef, however, I’d also suggest checking out her appearance on season four, episode one of HBO’s Room 104 (2017)...and when you’re finished with that episode, watch the rest of the series, because it’s haunting and perfect in every way.

✡️🌈 Billy Eichner

G-ds, Billy Eichner’s career is a trip, which makes this gay Jewish icon extra fun to talk about. While I as well as many others first discovered Eichner from his 2011 pop culture comedy show Billy on the Street, his genre chops became clear as day when he was featured on American Horror Story (2011) seasons Cult (2017) and Apocalypse (2018). Never in my life would I have guessed how marvelous he’d be at serious (and SCARY) roles and this is why assumptions are not okay. Either way, I would love to see him in more horror roles, because he brings such a unique and emotional quality to the table that makes him simply entrancing.

✡️🌈 Emma Seligman

Director of queer Jewish horror film Shiva Baby (2020), Emma Seligman, is another icon whose work will forever be on my radar. Visually and existentially jarring, Shiva Baby was very likely the closest mirror to my own life I’ve ever seen on-screen. I mean, the film is downright terrifying in its accuracy, oddly comforting but terrifying nonetheless. Still, it’s not often us queer Jews come across films where we feel genuinely seen, but Shiva Baby did the trick; at least it did for me. All in all, I feel everyone should see it, especially my fellow queer Jew babies or anyone who wants to get to know me better personally... Also, while we currently have no release date for Seligman’s future feature Bottoms — which is the cutest title ever, by the way — it’s looking like it’ll be a queerer iteration of Fight Club (1999) featuring Shiva Baby’s Rachel Sennott, so basically a mélange of all my cumulative dreams and fantasies. It’s no big deal at all.

✡️🌈 Ilana Glazer

Last but not least, we have Broad City’s (2014) tube-top-wearing darling Ilana Glazer. While Ilana traditionally leans more into her comedic side, she sure as sugar got scary in 2021’s pregnancy-horror False Positive. I will admit I have a bit of a bias towards the film, because I’m a) a slut for A24 and b) enamored with all things Ilana. Though, even without my bias, I’d still recommend False Positive for its what-the-fuck third act alone. Trust me. In addition to that though, you also get to witness both an adorable queer Jewish scream queen as well as a not-adorable Pierce Brosnan playing a deranged doctor (in my mother’s words: “He was nothing like this in Mamma Mia!). That’s something in and of itself, I guess. Long story short, I hope Ilana is in another genre film someday. I think she’d especially shine in a slasher, so fingers crossed that’s in the horror cards for the wonderful Glazer.

Anyway, happy Pride Month, babyluvs! I wish all the safety, warmth, and coziness to LGBTQIA+ people this month and every month for the rest of eternity. I am so honored to be a part of the community and to have the opportunity to talk queer horror with all of you.

Holy Terrors: PRIDE