Beauty horror genre explores intersections of race and lookism

The emergence of ‘beauty horror,’ a subgenre of body horror, explores the intersection of lookism, gender, and race. This genre often utilizes satirical narratives where characters attempt to solve beauty standards through methods that ultimately lead to disfigurement or self-destruction.

Recent works by Asian American women have become central to this movement. The genre resonates with the pressures of the ‘model minority’ stereotype, where beauty is treated as a disciplined pursuit. Data indicates that Asian American consumers in the U.S. spend 18% more annually on facial skincare than the average buyer.

A notable upcoming example is Amy Wang’s 2026 film, ‘Slanted.’ The story follows Joan Huang, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, who undergoes racial reassignment surgery to achieve social acceptance. The film examines how the pursuit of beauty for Asian Americans is often inextricably linked to the pursuit of whiteness.