By 
“If it gets too real, you can always turn it off.”
It has taken me an entire week to even think about writing a review Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: a film that has been crawlin’ around in my brain and filling it with colorful candy wrappers, gigantic blood fountains, fiery sapphic chemistry, and yes, “A Long December” (and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last).
A film I can’t stop thinking about.
A film I’m 100% sure will end up being my very favorite of the year.
A desert island top 5 contender.
An amazing piece of art that’s left a permanent mark on me.
Jane Schoenbrun’s latest follows indie film director Kris (Hannah Einbinder) on her quest to visit reclusive actress Billy Presley (Gillian Anderson) and convince her to return to her final girl roots by starring in Kris’s revival of popular 80’s slasher franchise “Camp Miasma” and its controversial killer, “Little Death.”
Kris immediately feels connected to Billy, and as the days and nights pass the two women fall in and out of fantasy and reality – culminating in them both experiencing the exquisite release of bloody ecstasy and rebirth.
I loved every single second of this film! Schoenbrun expertly pokes fun at all the problematic elements of slashers while celebrating why horror fans love them at the same time. The chemistry between Anderson and Einbinder is insanely hot, and every scene looks like a gorgeous light (or dark!) fairy-tale.
And there were so many unique bits: piles of gummy candy, “erotic” dipping sauces, Dylan Baker playing the ultimate douchebag of Hollywood power in a Zoom meeting from hell, and the most amazing Counting Crows needle drop of all time. And of course there is A LOT of splatter. So much. It’s fantastic.
Camp Miasma is hilarious from beginning to end, while still imparting the beauty of two women finding love, light, and healing in each other. There’s true reverence for the horror genre here, and I cannot WAIT to watch it again, and again, and again.
I Love Splatter! 