Filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun has introduced a new slasher villain, Little Death, in their recent film, 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.' The meta-horror film, which opened in select theaters last weekend, puts a new spin on the slasher genre.
Directed by Schoenbrun, the movie stars Hannah Einbinder as Kris Williams, a queer filmmaker tasked with rebooting a fictional 1980s horror franchise, 'Camp Miasma.' Seeking inspiration, Kris tracks down the original film's 'final girl,' Billy Presley, played by Gillian Anderson, who has become a recluse.
Little Death is the antagonist within the 'Camp Miasma' franchise. According to the lore presented in the film, Little Death is the ghost of a former camper. Legend states the child was raised as both a boy and a girl, leading them to be ostracized by other campers who ultimately drowned them in a lake. The ghost, distinguished by a distinctive mask, is said to rise from the lake to kill.
The role of Little Death is played by non-binary actor Jack Haven. Haven, 32, previously appeared in Schoenbrun's 2024 film 'I Saw the TV Glow' and also played Casey in the Netflix comedy 'Atypical.'
Mask Design Origins
Schoenbrun revealed that the inspiration for Little Death's mask came from an unexpected source: an air vent. "I was at my in-law, or my ex’s parents’ house, for Christmas 2022, 2023," Schoenbrun explained. "I was lying in bed and staring up at the ceiling, and I saw one of those vents. I was like, ‘There it is. Found it.’"
The filmmaker emphasized the importance of the killer's visual identity, comparing it to iconic slasher figures like Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Leatherface, and Freddy Krueger. Schoenbrun aimed for a design that was both simple and striking, avoiding pastiches of existing horror masks to maintain originality and impact. The process involved considerable thought, with Schoenbrun considering and discarding various concepts, including those related to gender.
'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' is currently playing in select theaters.