Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma review: Jane Schoenbrun crafts another instant cult classic

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Jane Schoenbrun is a truly original filmmaker. Their first two movies, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair and I Saw the TV Glow, are captivating and dreamlike, blending elements of David Lynch, online horror stories, and Schoenbrun’s personal experiences as a trans person into something both new and unsettling.

Their latest and most prominent film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard section. Fortunately, it’s another captivating and atmospheric movie, solidifying the director’s position as one of the most promising filmmakers of the last ten years.

Like with TV Glow, this movie also centers around a made-up, popular media series. In TV Glow it was that show The Pink Opaque which reminded me of Buffy, but this time it’s Camp Miasma – a slasher series in the style of Friday the 13th. The killer in Camp Miasma is especially creepy; they call him Little Death.

The movie begins with a fun montage showing how the franchise first became popular. We see its early success, followed by spin-offs like board games and arcade titles. Then came several sequels that weren’t well-received, until a new generation of fans rediscovered it online. Finally, we learn a reboot is on the way.

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The upcoming relaunch will be directed by a new, openly queer filmmaker, Hannah Einbinder. We meet her as she’s preparing to connect with Gillian Anderson, who played the original ‘final girl’ in the series and delivers a delightfully exaggerated Southern accent.

The actress playing the role shares some similarities with Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard, and is currently staying at the same camp where the original movie was filmed. It quickly becomes clear she’s a bit unusual, and the actress playing her, Anderson, is clearly having a lot of fun with this fascinating part.

Although they clearly respect each other, there’s a generational difference in how they see the Camp Miasma series. Einbender likes to analyze the films for deeper meaning and story, but Anderson is only interested in the gore and special effects – “flesh and fluids,” as he puts it.

As their connection deepens and they become closer, the film explores compelling conversations about art, who they are, attraction, and what makes them different – and it’s best to go in not knowing exactly where those discussions will lead.

Camp Miasma feels like a natural follow-up to the director’s earlier film. Both movies are unsettling and intensely personal, blending fantasy and reality to examine similar ideas – particularly how even unconventional art can profoundly impact those who feel isolated and alone.

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Both stories explore the desire to become immersed in fiction, not to avoid real life, but to shape it and gain a deeper understanding of it. They also share a striking soundtrack by indie artist Alex G, whose music creates a haunting and immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the narratives.

Although Camp Miasma shares some of the somber mood of TV Glow, it’s generally a much lighter and funnier film. A particularly hilarious scene features clueless studio executives who completely misunderstand the director’s new ideas for the Camp Miasma series – they just want to exploit the original for profit. This feels especially relevant in today’s Hollywood, where reboots and remakes are so common.

The movie cleverly breaks down the slasher film genre, looking at why these movies remain popular even though they’ve sometimes had troubling aspects. However, don’t worry – it’s not a stuffy or overly analytical film. It’s still very entertaining!

This movie is consistently captivating and frequently hilarious, boasting striking visuals, beautiful set design – including impressive matte paintings – and plenty of playful gore. Simply put, it’s another instant cult classic from the director, and it leaves you excited to see what they create next.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 21 August 2026.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona is TopMob’s Senior Film Writer, covering new movies released in theaters and on streaming services. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed films of all kinds.

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2026-05-13 23:35