SLANTED – Review by Lois Alter Mark
Yes, Slanted is a satire. Yes, it’s a body horror film. But what it is, above all, is a powerful social commentary on race, immigration and diversity that’s more relevant and important than ever.
In Amy Wang’s excellent feature directorial debut, Joan Huang (Shirley Chen) and her parents emigrate from China to a generic city in the US. All the little girl wants to do is fit in at her new school but she’s immediately made fun of for her appearance. Fast forward to high school, where she’s determined to become prom queen, dyeing her hair blonde and trying to befriend the popular girls led by influencer Olivia (Amelie Zilber). They, of course, are only interested in what she can do for them, like getting a discount at the local Asian nail salon.
When Joan receives a promotional offer to change her looks from a company called Ethnos, she jumps at it. She learns all about “ethnic modification” as she watches a video featuring a catchy “it’s good to be white” song. The doctor explains that he used to be a person of color but is so much happier now that he’s white and it doesn’t take much convincing for Joan to trick her mother into signing the consent form and agree to the permanent “white surgery.”
The new Joan (McKenna Grace), now known as Jo, looks like every other blonde at the school. Her parents are mortified, Olivia is intrigued and Jo is happy. For a while.
At different points in the film, as Joan/Jo navigates her way through high school and her old face tries to fight its way back out, there are thematic traces of Mean Girls, The Substance and Carrie.
Slanted is not nearly as graphic or bloody as The Substance but what was most terrifying to me wasn’t the body horror but, rather, the emotional horror, which is the reason the body horror even exists. As one character blithely describes the philosophy behind the surgery, “We’re erasing color to achieve true equality.” In other words, instead of embracing our differences and teaching acceptance, we’re simply making sure everyone can be white.
During this period in history especially, when immigrants are being targeted by a government set on wiping out anyone who isn’t white, the impact on young minds of being different is devastating. Sure, kids have always wanted to fit in but now they fear for their lives if they don’t. There’s so much more at stake these days and, although none of that is ever mentioned, it’s impossible not to watch the movie through that lens now.
Ultimately, Slanted is a story about outsiders and a country that turns them away. What it makes crystal clear is that the real horror is what that’s doing to our children.
