The trope of the «captive woman» in domestic spaces has been a recurring motif in American and British horror films, evolving alongside women’s changing social status and economic independence. This essay examines how this trope has transformed over time, from the emotionally captive woman confined by societal norms that restrict her autonomy to the physically trapped woman whose emotional confinement manifests as literal imprisonment, even as she gains apparent independence from male figures. By analyzing films across decades, such as Rebecca (1940), Silent House (2011), and Men (2022), this article explores how women’s confinement reflects broader societal dynamics and their relationships with men. Early depictions often tied women’s entrapment to economic reliance and societal expectations, portraying domestic spaces as both refuge and prison. Contemporary narratives, however, frequently depict independent women trapped by trauma or residual patriarchal control, illustrating how progress does not equate to full liberation. The article concludes with an analysis of Never Let Go (2024), which represents a shift where conservative ideologies and societal pressures push women back into traditional domestic roles. This new form of captivity reflects the complex interplay of autonomy, societal expectations, and resurgent patriarchal structures, underscoring the evolving dynamics of gender in horror cinema.
