looksMAXXING
Short horror about social media beauty standards and body obsession culture
The brief
Director Elan Alexander weaponizes social media anxiety into 15 minutes of squirm-inducing body horror that feels like scrolling through your worst Reddit rabbit hole. Sunny Suljic brings genuine desperation to a role that could've easily been a PSA, making his character's obsession with online "improvement" culture genuinely unsettling rather than preachy. The short format works perfectly here - it builds dread at breakneck speed without overstaying its welcome or beating you over the head with its message. Perfect for fans of Black Mirror episodes that make you want to delete all your apps afterward.
The verdict
If you crave tight, anxiety-inducing horror that dissects social media culture without being preachy, this is a perfectly crafted 15-minute nightmare that will make you question your online habits. If you're looking for traditional scares or can't handle squirm-worthy body horror, skip this Reddit-fueled descent into digital obsession.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum psychological impact
- ⚠️ Skip if struggling with body image issues
Heads up
- Self-harm and body modification (moderate)
- Body dysmorphia and obsessive behavior (frequent)
- Disturbing online forum content (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Elan Alexander
- Cast
- Sunny Suljic, Jerry Habibi, Sally Kalei Davis, Callahan Teceno, Isabella Ferregur
Official synopsis
When a dopamine-depleted young man joins an online forum promising a better life through physical perfection, he descends on a destructive path.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Substance (2024)
Both explore body horror through obsessive self-improvement and physical transformation.
Total runtime: 15m + 2h 21m = 2h 36m
