Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section got a major, neon-drenched vibe check. The world premiere of Jane Schoenbrun’s highly anticipated third feature, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, kicked off with the exact kind of gorgeous, blood-splattered chaos that practically guarantees future cult-classic status.
The screening wrapped up with a tearful Schoenbrun hugging stars Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson amidst a six-minute standing ovation. The crowd was totally locked into the film’s wild narrative and aggressively over-the-top, practical gore sequences.
Schoenbrun even set the tone before the projector locked in, kicking off the night by quoting an unlikely philosopher: Drake.
“There’s this song by Drake called ‘Started From the Bottom,’ and it goes, ‘Started from the bottom, now we’re here,’” Schoenbrun told the cheering crowd. “It’s unbelievable… I can’t believe I’m standing up here in a room full of people who are here to watch our movie.”
The Meta-Slasher We Deserve
Produced by MUBI, the film is a fierce meta-slasher that functions as a sharp, bloody middle finger to Hollywood’s current obsession with soulless, corporate “woke” reboots of dormant horror IP.
The plot follows an overly enthusiastic, indie-minded young director (Einbinder). Hired by a cynical studio to resurrect the long-dead Camp Miasma slasher franchise. Her first order of business? Tracking down the original 1980s film’s girl (Gillian Anderson). She is now a recluse living in a shroud of mystery and paranoia. Naturally, as cameras start rolling, the two women spiral into a delirious, hallucinatory world of desire, identity crisis, and body horror.
A Killer Cast of Indie Royalty
Beyond the powerhouse dynamic of Einbinder and Anderson, Schoenbrun has assembled a “who’s who “of icons and seasoned genre talent. The incredibly stacked ensemble includes Zach Cherry (Severance), Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live), and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream VI). Quintessa Swindell (Black Adam). They are joined by Dylan Baker (Trick Trick’ t), Patrick Fischler (Twin Peaks), and Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall).
According to early buzz from the festival, the script earned massive, roaring laughs for its biting, cynical critique of modern studio culture. However, those laughs were quickly drowned out by the old-school, practical special effects that absolutely pulverized them.
Mark Your Calendars for Summerween
If you missed the hype at Cannes, don’t panic. Don’t have too much time to check into the campground yourself. MUBI will unleash Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma in U.S. theaters on August 7, 2026.
Whether you’re in it for the razor-sharp industry commentary, the incredible practical viscera, or just the pure joy of watching Gillian Anderson wield a machete, this is officially your must-see horror event of the summer. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous new poster and trailer below!
