Slanted (2025) is an American comedy-drama with satirical and body-horror elements. The film is written and directed by Amy Wang in her feature debut. The principal cast includes Shirley Chen, Mckenna Grace, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Amelie Zilber, Fang Du, and Vivian Wu.
The story follows Joan Huang, a Chinese-American high school student who undergoes an experimental ethnic modification surgery to appear white, and the social and psychological fallout that follows.
The film premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 8, 2025, where it won the Narrative Feature Grand Jury Award.
Slanted Age Rating
Slanted is rated R by the MPAA for language, some sexual material, teen drug use, and brief violent content and bloody images. This R rating indicates the film contains material intended for mature audiences, including explicit thematic content and brief bloody images linked to the body-horror elements.
Violence & Peril
Violence is intermittent and often tied to body-horror transformations and emotional confrontations. Some scenes include brief bloody images and moments of physical distress that are jolting rather than continuously graphic. There are tense sequences that may be upsetting to sensitive viewers, but the film generally uses horror-style imagery to underline thematic points about identity and self-harm. Critics describe the film as satirical with body-horror shocks, rather than extended gore.
Language
The film contains frequent strong language, including repeated profanities used in arguments and emotional scenes. There are adolescent taunts and adult expletives that reflect high-school cruelty and heated confrontations. The tone is raw in places, matching the film’s frank satire of social hierarchies.
Mature Themes
Slanted directly tackles race, assimilation, body autonomy, self-harm, and mental health. It explores identity and cultural pressure through both satirical and tragic lenses. Themes include experimental medical ethics, peer pressure, sexual references, teenage substance use, and the psychological cost of seeking acceptance. Smoking, suggestive references, and brief sexual material appear in context and contribute to the film’s mature tone.
Is Slanted Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not suitable. The film’s themes of racialized body modification, body-horror imagery, and mature sexual references are inappropriate for preteens.
Ages 13–15: With guidance. Some mature teens may grasp the satire, but the bloody images, strong language, and intense psychological themes mean parents should preview first. Parents should be ready to discuss identity, peer pressure, and mental health after viewing.
Ages 16–17: Conditional yes. Older teens may appreciate the film’s social critique and satirical edge. However, the R rating is justified. If a teen watches it, parents should watch with them or discuss the film’s themes and the real-world risks of experimental procedures and substance misuse.
Final recommendation: Slanted is best for mature teens (around 16+) and adults. For younger viewers, it is not appropriate.
What Parents Can Do
- Pre-screen the film yourself to judge emotional intensity and gore tolerance, and decide if it fits your teen.
- Use the film as a discussion starter about identity, assimilation, and peer pressure. Ask how external pressures affect self-esteem.
- If a teen watches, follow up on mental-health topics. Discuss safe sources of help, medical consent, and the dangers of unregulated procedures.
FAQs
Q: What is the MPAA rating for Slanted?
A: Slanted is rated R for language, some sexual material, teen drug use, and brief violent content and bloody images.
Q: Is Slanted appropriate for teens?
A: It depends on age and maturity. We recommend ages 16+ with parental guidance.
Q: Does the film contain scary or gory scenes?
A: Yes. The film uses body-horror imagery and brief bloody images tied to its satirical premise.
Q: How strong is the language?
A: Strong language appears often, including repeated profanities and heated insults.
Q: Is there sexual content or drug use?
A: There is some sexual material and teen drug use portrayed; both appear in context and are brief.
Q: Where can I watch Slanted?
A: U.S. theatrical release is scheduled for March 13, 2026, via Bleecker Street and Fox Entertainment Studios.