Pop sensation and actor Lady Gaga is no stranger to the macabre. With her fierce love for all things gothic and horror-inspired, she’s brought dark and edgy elements to both her music and on-screen performances, like Lady Gaga’s unforgettable role in American Horror Story. Whether it’s her iconic meat dress or a performance with fake blood at the 2009 VMAs, Gaga has always embraced her love for the eerie. But which horror and thriller films rank as her personal favorites?
Gaga’s admiration for legendary director Alfred Hitchcock is no secret. In her hit song Bad Romance, she famously references three Hitchcock masterpieces: Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window. Her love for these films is deeply ingrained in her artistic identity.
In a 2015 interview on The Tonight Show, she even described thrillers and horror as calming for her, elaborating on her affection for the genre. This appreciation for Hitchcock extends to her music, where she compares herself to Kim Novak from Vertigo in her track So Happy I Could Die. Gaga’s musical homage doesn’t stop there—she even samples Bernard Herrmann’s Vertigo score in her anthem Born This Way. Her connection to these classics shows just how much Hitchcock’s work has influenced her style.
Gaga’s horror tastes aren’t limited to Hitchcock. Another one of her favorite films is The Exorcist (1973), which she once tweeted, “scares the Jesus out of me.” With her Catholic upbringing, it’s no surprise that this demonic tale hits a nerve. The chilling film, directed by William Friedkin, is widely regarded as one of the scariest movies ever made, with its tale of possession and exorcism terrorizing audiences for decades.
Donnie Darko (2001), a surreal thriller directed by Richard Kelly, is another title on Gaga’s list. In an interview with Jake Gyllenhaal, Gaga revealed her deep connection to the film, admitting she’d seen it “so many times.” The film’s exploration of time travel, mental illness, and existential dread has captivated Gaga, who views the movie as an important influence on both her music and fashion choices. It’s clear that Donnie Darko’s dark, mind-bending narrative has made a lasting impression on the pop star.
For Lady Gaga, horror isn’t just a genre—it’s a source of artistic inspiration that she channels into her performances, music, and style. Whether she’s paying tribute to Hitchcock’s thrillers or gushing about Donnie Darko, Gaga’s deep love for horror is clear. As she continues to evolve as an artist, fans can expect her to draw even more from these hauntingly iconic films.
Source: Slash Film
