'Our Effed Up World' Review: An Emotionally Charged Cosmic Drama
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Becca Johnson - July 20, 2026
Director Alice Mao Mackay has certainly made a name for herself within the indie horror genre, with a solid roster of films that boast a blend of camp comedy, themes surrounding identity and spooky beats. Her newest title, Our Effed Up World follows suit, a cosmic horror film with a snappy runtime and thorough theme exploration. Sara Thompson (Night Hunter) stars as Sheri, who thought her biggest problem in life ws dealing with the recent loss of her beloved grandma. But when a mysterious entity crash lands in the woods, only she and her group of shitkicker friends are what stands in the way of an insatiable, intergalactic hunger.
Though lacking slightly in the horror department, Our Effed Up World more than makes up for this with a fantastic exploration of grief and a likeable group of characters at the centre.
Our Effed Up World is certainly more interested in exploring its themes than delivering an out-and-out horror movie, and it is often all the stronger for it. Its examination of grief is particularly effective, with protagonist Sheri navigating the loss of her grandmother and the way her unprocessed grief has begun to strain what was once a strong bond with her father. Dealing with this alongside the threat of an alien apocalypse has more to say than you’d initially expect, with Mackay’s script doing a good job to blend the two ideas into a cohesive watch. Alongside this is a warm undercurrent of friendship, as Sheri and her likeable group of friends come together to save their small town. While the horror elements may not always be the film’s primary concern, its emotional investment in these characters gives the story a genuine sense of heart.
When the horror does eventually arrive, however, it is a little hit-and-miss. The cosmic horror elements you would expect are certainly present, with the film building a solid sense of tension around the fear of the unknown, forbidden knowledge and, eventually, alien life. There is an effective feeling that the characters are stumbling towards something they don't fully understand, with the film teasing out its more otherworldly elements rather than immediately revealing all its cards. The problem is that it takes a long time to get there, and even once the third act arrives, the horror remains surprisingly sparse. Anything we do get is generally to a good standard, with the film's focus on practical effects paying off in some suitably creepy imagery. The aliens themselves are particularly effective, with their ability to mimic human voices adding an unsettling layer to their presence. Yet, for a film that eventually introduces such potentially frightening creatures and cosmic ideas, there simply isn't enough horror to satisfy.
Thankfully, Mackay's filmmaking comes in clutch, ensuring that Our Effed Up World remains compelling even when its horror elements are less consistent. Mackay draws strong performances from her cast, with Sara Thompson particularly impressive as Sheri, conveying the emotional turmoil of a young woman struggling with grief while trying to maintain her relationships and protect the people around her. Jess McLeod (Normal), Annapurna Sriram (Fucktoys) and Scott Major (The Serpent’s Skin) also stand out, helping to give the film's central group a believable sense of warmth and camaraderie. Backing up the cosmic elements is a fantastic, eerie score that works in tandem with the plot, creating an atmosphere of unease throughout. Mackay's trademark neon-soaked aesthetic is also present once again, with the vivid visual style elevating the film's cosmic nature and giving the strange events an appropriately heightened quality. It is perhaps no surprise that there are shades of Jane Schoenbrun's work here, who is on this film as a producer, particularly the filmmaking seen in I Saw the TV Glow. Mackay similarly finds ways to blend the personal and the cosmic into something visually striking and emotionally resonant.
Ultimately, Our Effed Up World is a film that works better as an emotionally driven cosmic drama than as a straight horror movie. Its exploration of grief and friendship is compelling, even if the sparse horror and slow journey towards its more cosmic elements occasionally leave it feeling underwhelming. Still, Mackay's confident direction, strong performances and striking aesthetic ensure there is plenty to admire, making Our Effed Up World an imperfect but often genuinely affecting genre offering.
'Our Effed Up World' had its Canadian premiere at Fantasia Film Festival 2026.
Want more Fantasia Film Festival reviews? Dive into more reviews, rankings, and film conversations on our site. Explore Film Focus Online now!
