Anderson on queer slasher film 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

For an actress whose television and film career spans decades, Gillian Anderson has found herself speaking about an entirely unprecedented wave of reaction. According to reporting detailed by the Irish Examiner, the star notes that her latest project has attracted more attention than anything she has done before in film, television, or theatre. That project is the queer slasher film Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, a maximalist genre-bender that has captivated audiences and critics alike since its debut.

Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, the film explores the mechanics of fandom, nostalgia, and desire through a blood-soaked lens. The narrative follows Kris Williams, a filmmaker played by Hannah Einbinder, who receives an opportunity to resurrect a dormant slasher franchise after years of lacklustre sequels and dwindling fandom. Kris's obsession with the series centres around its original star, Billy Presley, played by Anderson as a reclusive actress shrouded in mystery. When Kris visits her, the two women become entangled in a blood-soaked world of desire, fear, and delirium.

Media additions

The project first premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in May, where it collected the Queer Palm award and earned rave reviews. As The Irish Times notes, Schoenbrun’s third feature treats cinema, television, and the internet not merely as content, but as formative psychic encounters and erotic pleasures. Yet critics have observed that this maximalism can be both fascinating and frustrating, resulting in a dense pile-up of Hollywood satire, queer deconstruction, and franchise critique.

Reflecting on the overwhelming public response, Anderson expressed her delight:

"I've been around for a little while, and one can only wish for this kind of response to a film. It's kind of crazy that a queer slasher film is getting more attention than pretty much anything else I've ever done."

Gillian Anderson

The film deliberately leans into the meta-experience of horror fandom, complete with cinematic homages and visceral imagery. According to Halifax Bloggers, Schoenbrun dips the deep-fried slasher genre into the sweet bbq of Cronenberg’s Videodrome and Kubrick’s The Shining, delivering a picture that functions equally as a psychedelic comedy, a media examination, and a love story between the two central characters.

Cast and Production Highlights

• Gillian Anderson as Billy Presley, the original film's star.
• Hannah Einbinder as Kris Williams, the filmmaker tasked with reviving the franchise.
• Supporting Cast featuring appearances from Kids In The Hall‘s Kevin McCarthy, SNL veteran Sarah Sherman, and Eva Victor wearing a righteous mohawk.

For Einbinder, who is bisexual, the film's explicit and intentional queer representation represents a vital step forward. In interviews highlighted by the Irish Examiner, Einbinder pointed out that queer women have historically had to infer romance in the absence of explicit media representation, making an overtly sapphic narrative a welcome addition to the cinematic canon.

The film's exploration of trauma and dissociation has drawn comparisons to Schoenbrun's previous work, while carving out a much more playful space. Anderson highlighted how Schoenbrun's post-transition experience brings a sense of joy and celebration into the picture, noting that the atmosphere surrounding the viewing experience—complete with snacks, popcorn and gummies—complements the movie's themes.

Following its festival run and early preview screenings in cities including London, Montreal, Portland, San Francisco, and New York, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma arrives in cinemas from Friday, August 21st, with previews on Wednesday, August 19th.