Slanted (2026): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Slanted is a 2026 comedy horror film directed by Amy Wang, starring Shirley Chen as Joan Huang, Amelie Zilber and R. Keith Harris. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $906,216 worldwide. Critics gave it 55 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Amy Wang
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Mountain Top Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Slanted About?
The premise of Slanted without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Joan Huang idolizes the popular girls and dreams of becoming prom queen, believing she must look like the past queens whose portraits line the hallways. She undergoes a risky procedure at Ethnos, a shady clinic that makes people of color appear white, waking as a blonde and confronting the steep price of conforming to impossible beauty ideals.
Slanted Cast & Characters
Shirley Chen leads the cast as Joan Huang, with Amelie Zilber as Olivia Hammond and R. Keith Harris as Willie. Directed by Amy Wang; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Amy Wang
- Shirley Chen as Joan Huang
- Amelie Zilber as Olivia Hammond
- R. Keith Harris as Willie
-
Mckenna Grace as Jo Hunt
Also Starring in Slanted
· 16 more- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Brindha
- Britton Webb Man With Beard
- Vivian Wu
- Elaine Hendrix Harmony
- Elizabeth Pan Penny
- Megan Hayes Mrs. Pine
- Malone Thomas White Woman In Her 20s
- Cecelia Specht Miss Carroll, Dream Prom Teacher
- Sarah Kopkin Greta
- Whitney Goin
- Callie McClincy Cat
- Katy Wilson Nancy
- Charlotte Ann Tucker Young Girl
- Kristen Cui Young Joan
- Scott Deal Pedestrian #2
- Jonathan D. Williams
More from Amy Wang
One more film directed by Amy Wang: Slanted.
Slanted Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Slanted 55 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (72) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Slanted Echo Score Breakdown
Slanted elicits a mixed response, with its direction and visual style receiving moderate commendation while its narrative is frequently judged uneven. Critics highlight Wang's direction and the film's absurdist humor as strengths, yet they also point to a problematic plot that fails to sustain its thematic ambitions. Users echo this split, noting occasional humor and effective cinematography but criticizing shallow character development and a flat storyline. The net impression is one of a film that offers occasional flashes of originality amid inconsistent storytelling.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 72
In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from competent direction and a distinctive visual approach. Critics praise Wang's direction and the deft handling of absurdist humor, while users commend the cinematography and inventive makeup effects. Some reviewers, however, note occasional missteps in the execution of thematic elements. Overall, the technical aspects are viewed as solid, providing a respectable foundation for the film.
- Character & Emotion 55
When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive both praise and criticism. Critics acknowledge moving performances and an engaging cast, yet they also remark on shallow treatment of deeper issues. Users echo this divide, with some describing the acting as well‑done and others finding characters flat or overly dramatic. The mixed feedback places the character work in a middle range.
- Story & Flow 45
The story and flow are generally seen as the film's weaker element. Critics describe the plot as simple, uneven, and occasionally misguided, while users note a lack of compelling stakes and a flat narrative arc. Positive notes about occasional humor do not outweigh concerns about coherence and originality. Consequently, the narrative receives a below‑average assessment.
- Sensory Experience 68
Sensory experience garners relatively favorable remarks. Reviewers highlight the film's striking cinematography, effective use of symbolism, and memorable visual style, with users noting enjoyable sound moments such as a humorous karaoke scene. While not universally lauded, the sensory components are consistently viewed as a strength, lifting the overall perception of the film's aesthetic quality.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Rewatch factor reflects a moderate level of enduring appeal. Critics call the film entertaining and provocative, suggesting repeat viewings might be worthwhile. Users provide mixed signals, with some labeling the movie enjoyable and others finding it forgettable. This balanced feedback translates into a middling rewatch score, indicating limited but not negligible replay value.
-
Metacritic 55 Metascore
User score 5.4
See on Metacritic
Slanted Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Slanted from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Joan Huang, Shirley Chen, is a Chinese-American high school student who feels out of place among her white peers and carries a quiet shame about her appearance. Since childhood she has dreamed of being prom queen, a goal that feels within reach only when Olivia Hammond, the school’s most popular girl, hints she might endorse her. In a bid to bridge two worlds, Joan dyes her hair blonde and secures a discounted mani-pedi at a Chinese nail salon, hoping to catch Olivia’s eye, but Olivia mocks the effort and leaves her craving acceptance even more. This sting sets Joan on a precarious path that blends longing with risky choices.
Full summary
The whole story of Slanted, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Slanted Box Office
Slanted grossed $906,216 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$906.2K
- US & Canada
- $906.2K
Slanted Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers and 1 featurette.
- Teaser :15 Cutdown
- Teaser :30 Cutdown
- Featurette Official Featurette
How Well Do You Know Slanted?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the Chinese-American high school student who is the protagonist?
Seen Slanted?
Articles About Slanted
Our article about Slanted: “Slanted (2026) Review: Critics and Fan Opinions on the Controversial Beauty-ideal Drama”.
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Opinions
Slanted FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Slanted, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Slanted?
Slanted runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Slanted released?
Slanted was released on March 13, 2026.
Who directed Slanted?
Slanted was directed by Amy Wang.
More films by Amy Wang Who is in the cast of Slanted?
Slanted stars Shirley Chen as Joan Huang, Amelie Zilber as Olivia Hammond and R. Keith Harris as Willie, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Slanted make at the box office?
Slanted grossed $906,216 worldwide.
How is Slanted rated?
Slanted has 55 on Metacritic.
Does Slanted have a post-credit scene?
No. Slanted has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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