The 2022 Australian horror film *Sissy*, directed by Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes, presents a contemporary take on the genre by exploring the dark intersections of social media anxiety, performative wellness, and unresolved childhood trauma. Filmed near Canberra, the movie follows Cecilia—nicknamed Sissy—a social media influencer whose carefully crafted online persona masks deep-seated insecurities that ultimately unravel with violent consequences.

Starring Aisha Dee, known for her role as Kat Edison in *The Bold Type*, *Sissy* marks her return to Australian screen work after relocating to the United States at age 16. Dee has spoken about the limited opportunities for actors of color in Australia, noting recent shifts in the industry’s landscape. Drawing from personal experiences with social anxiety and screen time, Dee’s portrayal of Cecilia offers a nuanced and grounded performance, eliciting both sympathy and unease from viewers as her character transforms into a serial killer.

The narrative follows Cecilia’s psychological breakdown during a weekend getaway when a childhood bully reappears, triggering a dramatic shattering of her social media façade. The film situates itself among recent screen-centric horror titles such as *Host*, *Bodies Bodies Bodies* and *Spree*, but sets itself apart by deeply examining the link between digital connectivity and self-worth. Rather than providing simplistic cautionary messages, *Sissy* offers a raw and accurate depiction of the pressures and isolation tied to maintaining an idealized online identity.

Critics have noted the film’s similarities to Stephen King’s *Carrie*, positioning it as a spiritual successor that adapts the classic narrative of a mental breakdown for the era of social media algorithms. The horror in *Sissy* extends beyond graphic violence to address the more subtle terror of living a performative life, suggesting that the most unsettling place to hide may be behind the glow of a smartphone screen or ring light.

Currently available to stream on Tubi, *Sissy* delivers a genre-bending commentary on the contemporary digital experience, blending psychological horror with themes relevant to today’s social media landscape.