While The Substance dominated 2024 with its visceral take on aging and Hollywood's double standards, a new body horror film on Prime Video is pushing the genre into even more provocative territory. Slanted, directed by Amy Wang, swaps out the focus on age for a piercing exploration of race, delivering a story that feels like The Substance meets Get Out — and it's every bit as unsettling.
The film centers on Joan Huang (Shirley Chen), a Chinese-American high school student who feels invisible in her predominantly white school. Desperate to fit in and win prom queen, she undergoes a radical procedure offered by a company called Ethnos: a surgery that literally turns her white. At first, Joan is thrilled by the newfound acceptance, but the transformation comes with a permanent price — one that erases her identity and heritage.
What makes Slanted stand out is how it uses body horror to critique systemic racism, much like Jordan Peele's Get Out did. But here, the horror is amplified by the high school setting, where the cruelty of peers and the pressure to conform are at their peak. Joan's mother tries to keep her connected to their Chinese roots, but the allure of being treated equally — even if it means erasing herself — proves too strong.
The film doesn't shy away from the tragedy of Joan's choice. The doctors at Ethnos repeatedly warn that the procedure is irreversible, and the narrative never offers an easy escape. When Joan's alter ego, played by Mckenna Grace, emerges, it's a heartbreaking moment that underscores the loss of self. The satire is sharp, but the emotional weight is what lingers.
For fans of international horror films directed by women, Slanted is a must-watch. It joins a growing list of genre films that use body horror to tackle social issues, but it does so with a specificity that feels both fresh and urgent. While The Substance was visually grueling, Slanted is more psychologically devastating — a slow burn that builds to a tragic, unforgettable conclusion.
If you're looking for a film that challenges as much as it horrifies, Slanted is streaming now on Prime Video. It's a reminder that the best body horror doesn't just make you squirm — it makes you think.
