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Film reviews

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Review

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Writer and director Jane Schoenbrun has a creative eye for making films about filmmakers. After being astonished by I Saw the TV Glow back in 2024, I knew that I was going to be sold on Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. It is a vivid portrait of art that correlates filmmaking, falling in love, and a slasher direction altogether. It does so with mind-boggling colors. As a director, she has a vision for a movie to come to life, she dives deep in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

 

The film focuses on Kris, played by Hannah Einbinder. She is trying to reboot a film series called Camp Miasma. She decides to travel to the lost places where it was filmed, and her goal is to cast the ‘final girl’ from the original movie. That “girl” is Billy, played by Gillian Anderson. She invites Kris into her home, and they begin to fall into a deep connection with each other while having many movie nights. Deep-down, as Kris is absorbing the loving hospitality, she starts to feel love for Billy. She finds that there is more to Camp Miasma than she expected.

 

The film begins to feel like a mental rollercoaster ride. Kris gets very surreal with how she wants the franchise to be rebooted. The constant presence of Billy inspires her voice and also moments where she finds her quirkier aspects coming out. The new movie camp is called Camp Tivoli, and there are many clues surrounding where the film finds its brilliance. For Kris, she is back and forth with how her filmmaking is meant to speak. She struggles with what the studios want from her, but her love for Billy and rebooting the franchise of Camp Miasma is her defense in remaining true to her vision.

 

There are moments where Kris gets over her head. Especially when she is talking with her colleagues about launching the project. Her silly moments though are what makes the film feel real. They make audiences think about how the days of becoming a successful filmmaker have gotten more difficult. With Kris though, her character is the one that shines in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

 

As the story unfolds, there are moments when the darkness gets even more horrid. The bond between Billy and Kris begins to have red flags. As Kris opens about her sexual dynamic and relationships, Billy keeps pushing for her to expose more.  Kris tells her that she is polyamorous and questions her ability to love. This makes Billy try to force Kris out of her shell even more and the two eventually falls into romance. Even more, Camp Tivoli has some areas that begin to make a questionable, yet brilliant journey throughout the film. It is a clever and artistic work-of-art that I believe is one of the best films of 2026. Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Lurker Review

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Making connections in the music industry is explored in a deeply immersive way in Lurker. This film comes from the mind of director writer, producer, and director Alex Russell (producer of The Bear and Beef). A film where obsession hits a deadly path that is hard to follow but just keeps going. An odyssey of fame and popularity that seeks growth within the depths of the film’s writing and characterizations. The story is a a stunning portrait of favoritism that is mind-boggling with competition. The music industry creates an environment in Lurker where the competition and envy feel surreal. 

The plot of the film focuses on a boy named Matthew, played by Theodore Pellerin. Matthew is a regular retail store employee in California who has a solitary life yet fancies his creative side when he is able. His life changes instantly when he becomes part of a crew for an artist that is on his way to fame. That artist is Oliver, played by Archie Madekwe. Matthew finds himself in the mix while helping to shoot footage and hanging out withOliver’s cool gang. However, plateaus are encountered because fame becomes everything for both Matthew and Oliver. At the same time, the popularity Matthew seeks is what he utilizes to his advantage. This leads to turmoil that becomes life-threatening.

Russell’s directing features layers of competition that keep the portrait of trial-and-error in focus during Lurker. I thought a lot about how the series The Bear showcases competitive moments in the kitchen with culinary stuff. The difference is the industry. Every small measure seems to be taken extra seriously in the music industry. Russell’s artistic eye creates a silent obsession for Matthew that grows dangerously in Lurker.

The film feels mentally disturbing. It is not very violent, but it captures the stressors through its characterizations of disconnect. When Matthew starts feeling unwanted within the team, thingsspiral. Russell’s cinematography fuels the emotion sparked byan outsider wanting more of the credit success in the music industry. The common ground in this film are the conflicts andthe dynamics required to keep fame and popularity on the rise.

What audiences will feel is the frustration between Matthew and Oliver. Matthew wants to feel cool and connected. Oliver wants to keep his fame on the horizon. Deep down the mental struggles and stressors of human values are at the core. Fame and agreements are the central flaws, but Matthew’s loneliness fuels the fire. The high life that Matthew never anticipated to have a mess with his choices. Matthew mixed feelings about his reputation because in his mind the generosity coming towards him feels fake.

With music, friends, and connections, desperation is at the center of Lurker. Matthew’s choices of Matthew appear to be irreparable, but at the same time his creative value is at the core of his choices. The film has a vivid and compelling vibe. Lurker is an intriguing portrait of how reality can be seen through the eyes of an artist. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Substance Review

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Demi Moore in The Substance

The question this film raises is one of how desperate is one to look fascinating to others. The eagerness of beauty, fame, and derailment hit deep in The Substance. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, the reality of a dream finding its path to a nightmare is daring. With Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as the two lead women, their personalities dwell on concept of addiction to popularity. Surrounding the film are the tons of efforts made to live the Hollywood life, attempting to thrive, and not be forgotten. This is accomplished through the use of a drug. When the procedure is done inaccurately though, many moving parts of unforgettable and treacherous forces come down. It is a volcano of cinematic madness that does not stop erupting.

The film focuses on Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore). Elizabeth is an actress that feels her fame is decreasing. She is famous for her fitness videos, but senses the lack of emerging opportunities. Her manager is Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid). Harvey is a self-centered corporate blow hard who just belittles and pressures her. Everything around Elizabeth brings feelings of nothingness. She decides to take steps to make a change—onesthat will haunt viewers to extreme heights. She investigates a black-listed drug that replicates cells. Once she starts injecting it, it creates another version of herself creating another individual. The new creation is Sue (played by Margaret Qualley). Once this happens, the double-life of Elizabeth Sparkle and Sue finds the best of both worlds. However, theuniverse of the drug comes with consequences.

The film finds its twist in the plot as Elizabeth and Sue abuse the drug. It must be taken accurately, otherwise deterioration is bound to occur manifesting in revolting, anxiety-provoking, and spellbinding reactions. Once audiences are in the world surrounding The Substance, it is a journey where the eyes of fame and fortune cannot be dismissed. How badly does Elizabeth want Sue to bring her fame days back? How can Elizabeth and Sue handle the harsh drug? Where is the stoppingpoint? The Substance revitalizes an aging star with an eagerness to feel her younger glory days again. 

The women encounter new opportunities, reckoning side effects, and a whole lot of offers that cannot be turned away when it comes to fame. Moore and Qualley deliver the most destructive and unforgettable performances of 2024 in The Substance. It is a new nightmare not to be forgotten and will haunt some. Shivers will run to the core of its audience.

The Substance is a masterpiece. There is nothing like this on screen in terms of creation and creativity. The cinematography is universally compelling as are the nightmares of anxiousness.The key to the film is the monsters unleashed when the drugs are not used correctly. Moore rocks as the fading celebrity desperately seeking attention. Qualley rolls with the flow like the dazzling young replica she plays (under Moore). The beauty sides may not have all the right outcomes, and this results in aneruption of irreparable consequences. Four out of four stars for The Substance.