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Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Inspired by Erotic Thrillers

Bad decisions, great outfits.

By Brittany Holloway-Brown Oct 20, 2016, 11:03am EDT

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Still from the movie When the Bough Breaks

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Erotic thrillers had their heyday in the late ‘80s, when Michael Douglas was in all of them. Few, really, have made any top 100 movie lists, but that’s not exactly their intended purpose.

The female leads might not always make the best decisions, but their outfit choices make us envy them regardless. In honor of Halloween (and in praise of a good guilty pleasure), here are some easy last-minute costumes you can recreate pretty quickly, inspired by our all-time favorite temptresses.

A collage of clothing inspired by the movie Fatal Attraction

Alex Forrest, Fatal Attraction

There’s a very fine line between heartbreak and full-on obsession; unfortunately, Alex Forrest (played by Glenn Close) doesn’t know the difference. Her casual, fun (and illicit!) affair with the married Dan Gallagher (yup, Michael Douglas) takes quite a turn, and introduced pop culture to the phrase “bunny boiler” after Alex boils her ex-lover’s... well, you can probably guess.

Alex’s wardrobe quickly shifts from bright whites and creams to dramatic, severe blacks as she falls further into delusion, so you can really opt for either look: a clean, crisp shirt and drop-waist dresses, or a leather wrap coat with ‘80s power shoulders.

Pictured: Reiss dress, $160; Mango leather trench, $299.

A collage of clothing inspired by the movie Basic Instinct

Catherine Tramell, Basic Instinct

Catherine Tramell (played by Sharon Stone) is a beautiful, wealthy crime novelist who also happens to be the primary suspect of a murder investigation, though she doesn’t let that phase her too much. She never even breaks a sweat during the game of cat-and-mouse with the police, which is fortunate for her, as she loves slinky, neutral outfits.

A cozy cardigan, slip dress, and minimal-but-still-striking gold jewelry make for a great lady of leisure wardrobe, which also happens to feel very of-the-moment.

Pictured: Zara slip dress, $69; Zara cardigan, $22; Local Eclectic choker, $74; BaubleBar signet ring, $52.

A collage of clothing inspired by the movie When the Bough Breaks

Anna Walsh, When the Bough Breaks

Laura Taylor (Regina Hall) and John Walker (Morris Chestnut) are a smart, well-meaning couple, but unfortunately, neither of them are smart enough to see that Anna Walsh — the surrogate they hired to carry a child for them — has ulterior motives. Whoops!

Anna (played by Jaz Sinclair) loves trying on Laura’s things while the couple is away, and she looks right at home in them. You can, too, with a deep-plunge crimson gown, or take it one step further with lingerie under a giant fur. Top both looks off with towering stilettos to complete.

Pictured: Bec & Bridge dress $178; Victoria’s Secret bralette, $20; Adore Me thong; $14; Asos faux fur jacket, $76; Louboutin So Kate pumps, $675.

A collage of clothing inspired by the movie The Last Seduction

Bridget Gregory, The Last Seduction

Bridget Gregory (Linda Fiorentino) is a smart, no-nonsense New Yorker who has men eating out of the palm of her hand, a useful skill for someone whose primary job is to manipulate others. Like any good East Coaster, a black-and-white uniform is her bread and butter.

Grab a pencil skirt and pair it with an oversized men’s shirt. Semi-sheer pantyhose add to the sensual vibe, and a sweeping black robe coat gives it drama.

Pictured: H&M men’s button down, $15; Vince Camuto pencil skirt, $69; Wolford pantyhose, $57; Artizia trench, $375.

A collage of clothing inspired by the movie Stoker

India Stoker, Stoker

A sensitive and severe teenager, India Stoker (played by Mia Wasikowska) spent most of her life cooped up in a beautiful house with her emotionally fragile mother. The appearance of her charming and devilishly handsome uncle turns her world upside down.

Her wardrobe becomes a signifier of the different parts of her family, and reflects how deeply intertwined they are. Her silk blouse and A-line skirt speak to her bookish nature; Louboutin stilettos demonstrate her metamorphosis.

Pictured: Everlane blouse, $78; J. Crew skirt, $59; Sole Society leather duffle, $70; Louboutin Pigalle heels, $675; Predictions saddle shoes, $29.