Hannah Einbinder, Jane Schoenbrun on ‘Camp Miasma,’ Future of Queer Cinema

Hannah Einbinder is optimistic about the future of queer cinema after starring in writer/director Jane Schoenbrun‘s latest film, “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.”

“I hope that with the hopeful success of films like this, that [Hollywood] is able to trust queer filmmakers and showrunners more,” Einbinder told Variety at the U.S. premiere of “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” in Los Angeles on July 29.

“Camp Miasma” debuted in limited release on Aug. 7, earning an impressive $251,000 from five screens and averaging $50,300 per location. Mubi will open the film, co-starring Gillian Anderson, in 50 new theaters next weekend before launching nationwide on Aug. 21.

The movie is a tonal shift for Schoenbrun, whose 2024 sophomore feature “I Saw the TV Glow” is a dizzyingly psychological horror drama. With “Camp Miasma,” the filmmaker crafted a slasher comedy that is both spooky and funny.

“I was going through a period of time that was really scary, but also really joyful,” Schoenbrun said. “And after the one-two punch of trauma that was ‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ and ‘TV Glow,’ I was finally starting to feel good in my body and self, and so I think it represents a freer and more joyful part of my life.” 

The film follows Kris (Einbinder), a queer filmmaker tasked with rebooting the in-universe “Camp Miasma” horror franchise. She becomes fascinated with the idea of recruiting Billy Presley (Anderson), the now-recluse star of the original film. Her pursuit of collaborating with the former ingenue takes her to the camp where the first “Camp Miasma” movie was filmed and where Billy now resides. 

As Kris attempts to crack the origin story of Camp Miasma, the two embark on gory, sexy and campy romp in the woods. For all its lighthearted, sapphic fun, Kris faces her fair share of jump scares at the hands of Billy and Little Death (Jack Haven), the ghost behind the camp’s murders.

Schoenbrun said that audiences being receptive to a “goofy” film was validating as a filmmaker. “I want to keep making things that explore and push at what I can do in the medium,” they said. “Every film I really want to feel unexpected in some way.” 

“Jane is really smart and really intentional, while at the same time very collaborative,” said Jasmin Savoy Brown (“Yellowjackets”), who plays Mari, Kris’ partner. “That’s what’s really fun about working with filmmakers that aren’t seen: straight white men. Anyone outside of that binary, especially someone so outside of that binary, is going to have a different approach and different energy.”

Even though “Camp Miasma” is more comedic than “TV Glow” and “World’s Fair,” that isn’t necessarily all Schoenbrun wants to see from queer films. “We put our antennas up as artists,” they said, “and whatever comes in, whatever it is, is what it should be.” 

Patrick Fischler, who plays a harbinger-of-doom gas station attendant, called Schoenbrun a “super special human being,” and said he believes in their vision. “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,” Fischler said. “A movie like this can do it because it’s accessible, and it’s Jane’s vision. I just want more of this.”