In Miasma, a filmmaker named Kris (Hannah Einbinder) is tasked with rebooting the slasher franchise Camp Miasma, drawn to its enigmatic former star, Billy (Gillian Anderson). Their dynamic explores themes of desire, horror, and identity, with Billy’s haunting past and artistic obsession revealing the complex relationship between sex, death, and cinema. The film’s tagline, reminding viewers they can always "turn it off," serves as both a threat and a comfort, inviting them to confront suppressed desires.
Writer-director Jane Schoenbrun infuses the narrative with playful homage to horror classics from Friday the 13th to Videodrome. An introductory montage captures the essence of Camp Miasma, poking fun at the genre while critically engaging with the intellectualization of horror. As Kris navigates her new project, she discovers Billy living in the abandoned camp, still battling her traumatic past.
Their shared experience watching Camp Miasma transforms into a campy reflection of slasher tropes, interwoven with commentary on transfeminine-coded villains. The character Little Death, an embodiment of repression and desire, signifies the intertwined nature of Kris’s emerging sexuality and her artistic growth. Amidst the film’s gore and humor, it ultimately presents a tender and unique exploration of queerness and the complexities of identity, showcasing powerful performances that anchor its bloody yet beautiful narrative. Schoenbrun’s vision offers a rich, exhilarating experience, both entertaining and poignant.
