Amy Wang’s directorial debut, Slanted, offers a daring and unsettling exploration of identity, beauty standards, and body horror. Though often described as a satire, the film is far more tragic and disturbing than its lighthearted comparisons to Mean Girls and Bottoms might suggest. Slanted is an ambitious attempt to merge social commentary with a body-horror twist, but its execution leaves much to be desired as it veers towards a raw, unflinching look at the price of fitting in.
The film follows Joan Huang (Shirley Chen), a teenager obsessed with reshaping her identity to fit the image of an “all-American” ideal. This desire to conform is reflected through body modifications and superficial beauty standards that permeate the narrative. Set against the backdrop of a high school in Georgia, Joan’s struggle is not just about fitting in—it’s about surviving in an environment where the cultural values of the mainstream seem inescapable and unforgiving.
Joan’s journey is framed by her family’s immigrant experience. Having moved to America from China ten years earlier, the Huangs are still grappling with their place in this new world. Joan’s father works as a custodian at her school, offering her a glimpse into the world of high school popularity—a world that seems both alluring and alien to her. This environment is further exacerbated by bullying, where Joan’s classmates mock her Asian heritage, from pulling their eyes to imitate her “slanted” lids to mocking her lunch.
In an attempt to navigate this hostile environment, Joan becomes increasingly fixated on the image of the ideal American teen—blonde, thin, and blonde. Her immersion in this culture is not just through exposure, but a relentless desire to embody its superficial markers. From changing her appearance with filters to asking her mother to speak English, Joan distances herself from her cultural roots in pursuit of a dream that seems more like a nightmare.
The turning point comes when Joan, now a teenager, encounters the alluring yet dangerous world of the “Ethnos” filter, which promises to reshape her identity in a much more profound way than a mere Instagram edit. When Joan becomes involved with a clandestine company offering “ethnic reassignment surgery,” her desperation reaches new extremes. Led by the unscrupulous Dr. Willie (R. Keith Harris), the company promises Joan a transformation into the idealized version of herself—one that promises acceptance and popularity. Her willingness to accept this transformation without fully understanding its consequences reflects her deep emptiness and desire to belong.
After undergoing surgery, Joan reemerges as Jo Hunt (Mckenna Grace), with long blonde hair and a new, idealized persona. The film’s shift in aspect ratio symbolizes her newfound freedom—freedom to be accepted, but also to sink further into a vacuous existence. Jo quickly rises to popularity, entering the clique of mean girl Olivia (Amelie Zilber) and earning a nomination for prom queen, the very symbol of the all-American dream. However, this transformation comes at a significant emotional and ethical cost, and the film dives deep into the consequences of Jo’s decisions, highlighting her increasing alienation.
The reactions of those around her are mixed, with her parents’ shock providing a more layered emotional response. Her best friend, Brindha (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), provides the film’s moral compass, calling out the absurdity and horror of the situation with biting humor and emotional depth. Yet, it is Jo herself who is forced to confront the hollow nature of her transformation, as she realizes how deeply her self-worth is tied to external validation.
While the film occasionally falters in its broad strokes—particularly in its over-the-top moments and a twist involving Olivia that feels jarring—it ultimately serves as a chilling reflection on the cost of conformity. Wang’s film may be excessive at times, but its thematic exploration of identity, body image, and the perils of chasing an unattainable ideal resonates with unflinching clarity. Slanted is not just a satire or a high school drama; it is a dark, tragic commentary on the American nightmare of identity and belonging.
Slanted premiered at SXSW 2025 and is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
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