Two horror films that explore the convention of female victims are Night of the Living Dead (1968) directed by George A. Romero, and Scream (1996) directed by Wes Craven. While Night of the Living Dead explores the helplessness of females, building on the cliche that the stronger male must save the day. Contrasting to that, Scream's female lead is less of a victim and more of a heroine.
Night of the Living Dead's female lead, Barbra, sits in stunned silence through out most of the film and even at the end when she comes to her senses somewhat and tries to help with the destruction of the zombies, she ends up being killed instantly.
Scream's female lead, Sidney Prescott, contrasts completely to that of Barbra. Every scene in which the villain and Sidney coincide she succeeds in escaping and injuring the assailant, Ghostface. At the end when she finally ends up killing one of the murders but cannot manage to kill the other another female called Gale Whethers, comes in to save the day instead of a male.
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