‘Slanted’ Winner of SXSW Grand Jury Prize, to be Released by Bleecker Street & Fox Entertainment in 2026
Listen up, film buffs. Every once in a while, a movie claws its way out of the festival circuit that you just know is going to be a big deal. Amy Wang’s directorial debut, Slanted, is that movie. It’s got the buzz, the awards, and a premise so wild you can’t help but be intrigued. After storming SXSW and snatching the Grand Jury Prize, this film is finally getting the theatrical release it deserves, thanks to a powerhouse team-up between Bleecker Street and Fox Entertainment Studios.
What is Slanted Actually About?
So, what’s all the fuss about? Slanted is being thrown around with labels like satire, sci-fi, and even body horror. It’s even a bit of a comedy. Yep, you read that right. It tells the story of a Chinese-American teenager who, grappling with insecurities about her identity, makes a choice so extreme it sends shockwaves through her life and her family’s. If that doesn’t scream “must-see,”we don’t know what does. This isn’t just another coming-of-age flick; it’s a genre-bending gut punch that promises to stick with you.
At its very core, Slanted dives headfirst into the messy, complicated world of identity – particularly racially based identity. The protagonist, played by the amazing Shirley Chen, feels so out of place in her own skin that she actually resorts to a drastic, almost unthinkable measure to change how the world sees her. This single decision then triggers a domino effect, unraveling not just her own sense of self but also affects and disrupts the very fabric of her family.
This is the kind of storytelling that burrows way under your skin. It’s certainly provocative, it’s daring, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. We’re talking about a film that isn’t afraid to get its hands dirty exploring the pressures of cultural identity and the extreme lengths people will go to feel like they belong. This seems to be a recurring theme with people, particularly over the past decade.
Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson wasn’t kidding when he said to Deadline in part:
There is no film even a little bit like ‘Slanted’... We’re thrilled to be partnered with our friends at Fox..
He knows they’ve got something special on their hands – this is a movie that’s as wildly entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
The Powerhouse Cast and Crew Behind the Film
A movie this ambitious needs a killer team, and Slanted delivers. Amy Wang isn’t just directing; she’s also a writer and a producer, pouring her singular vision into every frame. She’s backed by a stacked cast that includes the talented Shirley Chen, (best known for her portrayal of Krista in Beast Beast), McKenna Grace (from Ghostbusters: Afterlife), Vivian Wu (of The Last Emperor), and additionally Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever). This blend of seasoned talent and rising stars is a clear sign that everyone involved knew this project was going to be something extraordinary.
The collaboration between Bleecker Street and Fox Entertainment Studios is also a huge win. Bleecker Street has a track record of championing bold, filmmaker-driven cinema, and Fox brings the muscle to get this film the audience it deserves. Hannah Pillemer, Head of Scripted Entertainment at Fox, put it perfectly, saying they’re passionate about “stories that connect deeply with audiences.”
From the looks of it, Slanted is poised to do exactly that, and then some. Get ready for a film that will challenge you. It might haunt you – and maybe freak you out a little. It will definitely make you think, and that’s a good thing. Mark your calendars for Slanted’s release in 2026, because things are about to get a bit weird.
