LAST WEEK, PRODUCER Jason Blum caused controversy when he said his company Blumhouse Productions were trying to hire women, but claimed he couldn’t find them.

Art Garcia / SIPA USA/PA Images Art Garcia / SIPA USA/PA Images / SIPA USA/PA Images

He told Polygon that he’s making an effort, it just isn’t being handed to him on a plate, as he’d like.

We’re not trying to do it because of recent events. We’ve always been trying. There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror. 

Right. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean that they’re not there. This is the problem. 

This aside, here are 8 brilliant movies on Netflix right now by female directors that you should watch to brighten up your Monday. 

Mudbound 

Director: Dee Rees 

A rural Mississippi town comes to terms with racism and post-traumatic stress disorder that comes with returning WW II veterans. 

As a bonus, the film’s cinematographer Rachel Morrison was the first female cinematographer ever to be nominated for an Oscar. 

Lady Bird 

Director: Greta Gerwig 

NOPE, sorry, we’re not done going on about this. 

A24 A24

You know the deal here. Saoirse Ronan’s latest Oscar contender was the perfect coming of age drama we needed this year. Playing a young woman who has adopted the name Lady Bird, Saoirse and her mother played by Laurie Metcalf, hit home with basically every young woman who watched it. Saoirse was ROBBED.

The Babadook 

Director: Jennifer Kent 

Hey, it’s almost Halloween, so why not watch a mild horror. Directed by Kent, this strange thriller seems like it’s about one thing, an eery monster, but turns out to be about something completely different. Centering on a relationship between a mother and a son, this is one you won’t forget too quickly. 

Tallulah 

Netflix Netflix

Director: Sian Heder 

Tallulah stars Ellen Paige as a woman who is living out of her van, and decides it’d be a good idea to steal a baby. It’s all in a misguided effort to make her ex-boyfriend’s mother love her, but obviously goes terribly wrong. 

Divines 

Netflix Netflix

Director: Houda Benyamina 

This movie tells the story of a bunch of French teenagers as they attempt to start a life of crime. You’ll have to read the subtitles if you’re not fluent in French but it’s worth the effort, I promise. 

13th

Director: Ava DuVernay 

An eye-opening and important examination of how slavery still exists in the US, just under many different guises. This is a documentary, and not a movie, but still an amazing piece of work from a female director you absolutely need to see. 

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 

Director: Susan Johnson 

For anyone who hasn’t watched this yet. What’s your problem? 

Netflix Netflix

Based on the novel by Jenny Han, it’s a lovely, warm hug of a movie about a young girl who writes love letters to her crushes, only to have them anonymously sent out to the boys in question. 

Set It Up

Director: Claire Scanlon 

Claire has the most Irish name ever, and thankfully Set It Up is another lovely romcom that you’ll feel was an hour or two well spent. 

Two assistants in New York hatch a plan to set their two annoying bosses up so they find love and lay off them. It’s simply a joy, save this one for a rainy Saturday night if you haven’t gotten stuck in. 

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