Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma centres around Kris (Hannah Einbinder), who’s a she/they (what is THAT?), and who she makes films about “queerness”… what even IS that? Isn’t it just ‘gay’?
Anyhoo, she’s directing a remake of the original Camp Miasma movie – an early ’80s schlock-horror hit, leading to having meal with original star – Billy (Gillian Anderson – TRON: Ares IMAX 3D) – to discuss it, but back then, after just one film where she was the ‘final girl’, Billy eschewed the limelight and refused to appear in any of the sequels, not only becoming a recluse, but actually living in the house featured in the first movie.
However, the once-successful films have now fallen out of favour, due to the endless sequels that just began to grate with the public.
As part of her ‘research’, prior to meeting up, Kris buys a copy of Camp 6 in a bargain bin to play in her hotel room, having to ask the owner if he has a DVD player… yes, remember them? They’ll make a comeback like vinyl, and even VHS!
In fact, clearly mirroring the Friday 13th franchise, the Camp Miasma series ran long and large, as we’re shown a series of VHS tapes released in the 1980s – although with the third one labelled “Camp Miasma 3D“, I’d be interested to see how you get a 3D film on a VHS tape, though. But there were also various spinoff toys, and these days, it’d be be a stack of Funko Pops.
For our main lead, Gillian Anderson acts nicely MILFy. Her character is 60 (whereas Ms Anderson is just a mere 58), and Kris wants her to return, but Billy thinks it’s too old to be playing roles in horror films, making me wonder if she’s taking the piss out of the Insidious movies, as Lin Shaye is 82!
The films revolved around the characters having to escape a killer known as the ‘Little Death’, who has an air vent on its head and stabs you with a spear.
Overall, though, while Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is largely entertaining, the more it goes on, the more it falls apart into meta horror nonsense, to the point where the ending makes no sense.
Still, at times it is VERY gory for a 15-certicate, and I would’ve expected an 18-cert had I not seen the physical evidence on the BBFC’s website.
NOTE: There are no mid- nor post-credit scenes.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is in cinemas now, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD. However, once announced, it will appear on the New DVD Blu-ray 3D and 4K releases UK list.
However, you can buy the CD soundtrack or the Vinyl soundtrack, and I don’t think I’ve heard Donna Lewis’ I Love You Always Forever much in the intervening 30 years, but while it was played lot at the time, it does feel much better after it’s been given rather a break.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 112 minutes
Release date: August 21st 2026
Studio: MUBI
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (35mm)
Rating: 6/10
Director: Jane Schoenbrun
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Writer: Jane Schoenbrun
Music: Alex G
Cast:
Kris: Hannah Einbinder
Billy: Gillian Anderson
Mari: Jasmin Savoy Brown
Thor: Aren Buchholz
Flo: Florence Barrett
Anthony: Kevin McDonald
Little Death: Jack Haven
Doomed Teen Girl: Jordana Summer
Doomed Teen Boy: Ryan McEwen
Kris’ Agent: Sarah Sherman
Young Billy: Amanda Fix
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.