Mubi’s New Slasher ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’ Tops 2026 Horror Ratings

Horror enthusiasts have much to celebrate in 2026, with standout titles like ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’ both achieving Rotten Tomatoes scores exceeding 90 percent, solidifying the year as a remarkable one for the genre.

This impressive lineup has now welcomed an unexpected critical favorite, a film with a title that is hard to overlook.

That film is ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,’ the third feature from director Jane Schoenbrun, who gained acclaim for their 2024 film ‘I Saw the TV Glow.’ The movie follows a queer filmmaker, portrayed by ‘Hacks’ star Hannah Einbinder, who is tasked with reviving a long-standing slasher franchise. She becomes obsessed with casting Gillian Anderson’s reclusive character, the original film’s final girl, leading both women into a chaotic world of desire, fear, and delirium.

Since its theatrical debut on August 7, following a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May where it won the Queer Palm, the film has quietly surpassed every other horror release this year in terms of critical acclaim. With over 100 reviews logged, ‘Camp Miasma’ has emerged as the highest-rated horror movie of 2026 on Rotten Tomatoes, comfortably outpacing both ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms.’

The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score has fluctuated slightly as new reviews come in, dropping from an initial perfect 100 percent after a single negative review, but it remains firmly in the high nineties depending on when the score is checked. Such near-universal praise is exceptionally rare for any horror film, especially one with such a deliberately provocative title.

Much of the acclaim has focused on how thoughtfully the film engages with the slasher genre while still functioning as a genuinely effective entry within it. The New York Times noted that the film is designed to keep viewers off balance with a mix of gasps and laughter, while Bloody Disgusting praised its breathtaking and whimsical blending of fantasy and reality.

Reviewers have consistently highlighted the chemistry between Einbinder and Anderson as a key element of the film’s success, noting how their dynamic electrifies the narrative once their characters’ connection deepens. This bond, according to multiple reviews, not only drives the film’s central relationship but also enriches its broader themes of self-discovery and embracing one’s truth.

What makes this level of acclaim particularly noteworthy is how unconventional the film’s premise and execution are, merging satirical romantic slasher elements with a heartfelt exploration of fandom, identity, and legacy within horror filmmaking. Given how infrequently horror films achieve this kind of consistent critical praise, ‘Camp Miasma’ has quickly become one of the more surprising success stories of the year in the genre.

As the film continues its rollout from a limited release into wider theaters, its critical reputation is likely to attract curious audiences beyond the typical horror fanbase.

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