Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma: A Slasher Comedy Revives 80s Horror

The film opened in limited release in early August, playing on five screens and generating an estimated $251,000 in ticket sales, which translates to roughly $50,300 per location. Following the limited run, distributor Mubi announced a rollout to 50 additional theaters the following weekend, with a nationwide expansion slated for the scheduled release date of August 21 in the United Kingdom.

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The director described the project as a departure from the darker tone of the previous films, noting a personal period that felt simultaneously “scary” and “joyful.” Schoenbrun framed the movie as an exploration of the “VHS generation” and an homage to 1980s summer-camp horror franchises such as *Friday the 13th* and *Sleepaway Camp*.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma Is a Queer Friday the 13th

The story follows Kris, a queer filmmaker portrayed by Hannah Einbinder, who is hired to reboot the fictional “Camp Miasma” franchise. Gillian Anderson appears as Billy Presley, the reclusive star of the original film, now living on the camp’s remote property. Supporting actors include Jasmin Savoy Brown, Patrick Fischler, and Jack Haven as the masked killer “Little Death.”

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• Limited-run gross: $251,000 from five screens.

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• Average per-theater earnings: $50,300.

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• Expansion plan: 50 additional theaters before a nationwide release.

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Schoenbrun emphasized a desire to create work that feels “unexpected” and to push the boundaries of the horror medium. The director highlighted the importance of making queer-centered stories that are both “spooky and funny,” aiming to broaden audience accessibility. Co-star Jasmin Savoy Brown praised Schoenbrun’s collaborative style, noting the director’s intelligence and intentionality.

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• “I was going through a period of time that was really scary, but also really joyful,” — Jane Schoenbrun, horror standout director (q1)

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• “Jane is really smart and really intentional, while at the same time very collaborative,” — Jasmin Savoy Brown, actress (q2)

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• “I want movies that everyone can relate to, so that we can open up the eyes and minds of a lot of close-minded people in the country, in the world,” — Patrick Fischler, actor (q3)

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The film is scheduled for a United Kingdom release on August 21, with select preview screenings planned beforehand. The broader U.S. rollout will follow the announced expansion to additional theaters, positioning the movie for a wider audience during the late-summer season.

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