A bold first look at Schoenbrun’s new slasher
Jane Schoenbrun, whose idiosyncratic voice has reshaped modern indie horror, has revealed the first trailer for their latest film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. The teaser leans into an unabashedly campy, blood-soaked slasher aesthetic — a deliberate throwback to 1980s genre films — while keeping many plot details tantalizingly vague. What it does deliver is mood: a mix of nostalgia, dread, and dark humor that feels unmistakably Schoenbrun.
Where this film sits in Schoenbrun’s trilogy
Schoenbrun first made waves with We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, a quiet, unsettling exploration of loneliness and the search for belonging. They followed that with I Saw the TV Glow, a neon-drenched, ’90s-inflected horror piece that blended pop-culture obsession and an intimate look at gender and identity. Schoenbrun has said this new film will round out the trilogy that began with those two features — but instead of the quiet dread of the first or the media-saturated glow of the second, Camp Miasma appears to embrace slasher cinema’s rowdy, violent delights.
Trailer highlights: tone, imagery, and a vintage feel
The trailer opens with intimate, domestic moments — a young girl watching a horror movie — then expands into more overtly cinematic set pieces. Key impressions from the teaser:
- A piled wall of DVDs suggests the characters are steeped in horror fandom and genre lore.
- The film’s visuals and soundtrack signal a deliberate homage to classic slasher films, blending camp humor with visceral shocks.
- Gillian Anderson appears as a character with a pronounced southern drawl, hinting at a role that brings both gravitas and regional texture to the story.
- The brief glimpses of violence and practical effects emphasize physical, old-school horror rather than purely digital spectacle.
Overall, the trailer prioritizes atmosphere over exposition, inviting viewers to bring their own expectations and memories of slasher films to the theater.
Cast, collaborators, and production partners
The film is anchored by Emmy winner Hannah Einbinder (Hacks) and Emmy recipient Gillian Anderson (The X-Files). They headline a sizable ensemble that mixes established performers with rising stars and genre favorites:
- Jack Haven — reuniting with Schoenbrun after I Saw the TV Glow
- Jasmin Savoy Brown
- Zach Cherry
- Amanda Fix
- Dylan Baker
- Arthur Conti
- Patrick Fischler
- Eva Victor
- Quintessa Swindell
- Sarah Sherman
- Kevin McDonald
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is backed by Mubi — fresh off the high-profile release of The Substance — and Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, signaling a blend of arthouse sensibility and strong industry support.
What to expect and when to see it
While the trailer doesn’t spell out the plot, it sets expectations: a genre-aware slasher that channels the look and feel of ’80s horror while reflecting Schoenbrun’s interest in identity, fandom, and outsider experiences. Fans of the director’s earlier work should watch for thematic through-lines — especially how Schoenbrun balances personal, character-driven storytelling with the mechanics of a throwback genre film.
The film is slated to open in cinemas on August 7. The debut trailer is available now for those who want to preview the film’s tone and prepare for a summer detour into campy, bloody nostalgia.