‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ winks and blows a blood-soaked kiss at horror films of queer past

Camp Miasma, written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun, is a queer take on the classic slasher movie genre. The film stars Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder, with the latter playing Kris, a filmmaker who aims to reboot the dwindling "Camp Miasma" franchise. To do this, she seeks out the original final girl of the franchise, Billy Presley, played by Anderson.

As Kris and Billy's relationship grows, they are confronted by the film's killer, Little Death, a trans or nonbinary character who challenges the traditional portrayal of queer villains in horror films. Unlike other villains, Little Death is not portrayed as a monster, but instead helps Kris confront her fears and desires. This inversion of the queer villain trope provides a fresh perspective on the genre and subverts the common narrative that queer or queer-coded characters are always portrayed negatively in horror films.

The film also draws inspiration from early queer villain narratives, such as Countess Zaleska from "Dracula's Daughter" (1936), who is a lesbian vampire and victimizes women, including a psychiatrist's girlfriend. However, unlike Countess Zaleska, Billy is portrayed as a sympathetic character who is mindful of consent and struggles with his own sexual identity.

This not only subverts the negative stereotypes associated with queer characters, but also explores the complexities of sexuality and gender in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.

Overall, "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" offers a fresh take on the slasher movie genre, challenging traditional narratives and presenting queer characters in a positive light.