Jane Schoenbrun Debut Feature Draws Renewed Interest Amid Latest Theatrical Run

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-08-23

The 2021 indie horror film "We’re All Going to the World’s Fair" explores youth isolation through a viral online challenge.

Director Jane Schoenbrun’s debut feature film, "We’re All Going to the World’s Fair," is drawing renewed attention as the filmmaker’s latest project screens in theaters. The 2021 coming-of-age horror title examines themes of youth isolation, identity, and internet subcultures.

The narrative follows a teenage girl named Casey who becomes consumed by a viral online role-playing game called the World's Fair Challenge. Operating almost entirely from her bedroom, the protagonist documents her participation in the video-based alternate reality game for an unseen online community.

The challenge requires participants to complete specific ritualistic actions, including repeating a designated phrase, drawing blood, and watching a mysterious video clip. As the story progresses, Casey begins uploading regular video logs detailing perceived physical and emotional transformations allegedly triggered by the game.

First introduced at film festivals in early 2021, the low-budget production relies heavily on screen-life cinematography and single-location staging. The film uses computer screen recordings and user-generated video aesthetics to build narrative tension through the lens of modern digital media.

The project marked Schoenbrun's narrative feature directorial debut, establishing a thematic focus on digital spaces and adolescent vulnerability. "We’re All Going to the World’s Fair" remains accessible across digital and home entertainment platforms.