Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma streams Oct on MUBI
There are films that simply tell a story, and then there are films that dismantle the very structure of the genre they inhabit. Jane Schoenbrun’s latest cinematic offering, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, firmly belongs in the latter category. It is a deeply unsettling, yet wickedly entertaining, reimagining of the classic slasher, blending nostalgic horror tropes with a dizzying layer of meta-commentary and surreal delirium.
The film draws upon the rich world of horror and coming-of-age themes that define Schoenbrun’s previous work, notably We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and I Saw the TV Glow. Now, she takes that familiar framework and injects it with a fresh, boundary-pushing energy, resulting in a film that feels both deeply personal and wildly cinematic.
At the heart of the narrative is Kris, portrayed by Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), a young filmmaker given the extraordinary mission to resurrect the legendary, long-running slasher franchise of Camp Miasma. Her quest takes an unexpected turn when she seeks out Billy, the reclusive actress who played the original film’s iconic final girl, Gillian Anderson (The X-Files).
Their fateful encounter throws the two women into a blood-soaked landscape defined by desire, fear, and sheer psychological chaos. It is a journey that uses the familiar language of horror to explore something considerably stranger, proving that the boundaries of genre are far more elastic than we often assume.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma has already garnered significant critical acclaim. The film premiered at the Un Certain Regard section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it was recognized with the Queer Palm award, signaling its arrival as a significant voice in contemporary cinema.
Critics have been quick to praise the film’s unique approach. Chris Bumbray of JoBlo lauded Schoenbrun’s sense of humor and the film’s deep nostalgic affection for its horror references. While noting that the increasingly surreal final act might prove divisive, Bumbray ultimately found the film more openly entertaining than Schoenbrun’s previous feature, I Saw the TV Glow.
The cast is anchored by the dynamic pairing of Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, supported by an impressive ensemble cast including Amanda Fix, Arthur Conti, Eva Victor, and others. The visual story is further enhanced by cinematography from Eric K. Yue and music by Alex G.
For Canadian horror aficionados, the opportunity to experience this latest exploration of genre and identity at home is coming. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma will stream exclusively on MUBI starting on October 2, 2026.
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