Jane Schoenbrun continues to show they are one of the best directors working to date writes Carter Smith
There is a scene near the start of Jane Schoenbrun’s meta slasher where Kris (An excellent Hannah Einbinder) – who is responsible for rebooting the dead Camp Miasma franchise – is speaking to the lead of the first film Billy (Gillian Anderson). Kris talks and dissects the transphobic undertones present in the first Camp Miasma film and what they believe is the hidden meaning to it all. They are not wrong, but Billy is not having it. She simply replies : “It’s just flesh and fluids.”
It’s in that three word reply where the brilliance of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma lies. Like most of Schoenbrun’s films there are many themes on display; studio executives box ticking when picking directors; the hypocrisy of enjoying something which is derogatory to groups of people; the trans experience and Kris’s conflict throughout is a clear self insert for Schoenbrun’s themselves.
There’s a lot to unpack. It’s overwhelming, but it’s a lot simpler than it all seems.
Ignoring the messaging for a second I can’t go on without mentioning hoe gorgeous this movie is. Schoenbrun is quickly becoming one of the most distinctive directors working. They are clearly having so much fun creating this world and the surrealist nature of it all and it is breath taking.
What I appreciated as well was the upbeat nature to it all. I Saw the TV Glow, as fantastic as it was, left me completely devastated by the end. I’m glad to report TSADACM is less existential dread and more a celebration of being trans and sexual awakenings. It was a nice change of pace.
There is undoubtedly a lot going on and a lot to look at. They pack many different thoughts and questions which will be answered with think pieces by people much smarter than me. But as afore mentioned, it’s a very simple movie. It’s just like Billy said, It’s just flesh and fluids.
- Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is unavailable to watch currently
