Watch Slash

Slash is an independent film that premiered at the 2016 South by Southwest Film Festival. Directed by Clay Liford, the movie revolves around Neil (Michael Johnston), a shy high school senior who writes fan fiction for a popular online forum. He is a prolific writer who works under the pseudonym "Slash" and is known for his explicit stories about a fictional couple named Vanguard and Winning.

Neil is an outcast at school, and he struggles to fit in with both his classmates and his family. However, he finds solace in his writing and the online community that appreciates his work. Soon, he strikes up a friendship with Julia (Hannah Marks), a fellow fan fiction writer, and they bond over their love of writing and their shared sense of isolation. As their relationship develops, Neil begins to come out of his shell and embrace his passion for writing, even as he faces the challenges of growing up and finding his place in the world.

One of the interesting things about Slash is the way it explores the culture of fan fiction and the ways in which it can serve as a source of empowerment and self-expression for young people. Neil and Julia's writing is shown as a way for them to explore their own identities and desires, as well as to connect with others who share their interests. At the same time, the movie also touches on the problematic aspects of fan fiction, such as the potential for plagiarism and the blurring of boundaries between fiction and reality.

Another central theme of Slash is the idea of the "slash" genre itself – that is, fan fiction that imagines romantic or sexual relationships between two characters who are not romantically involved in the original work. The movie doesn't shy away from the more explicit aspects of this type of writing, but it also doesn't judge or condemn it. Rather, it presents it as a valid form of storytelling that can be meaningful to those who create and consume it.

In addition to its exploration of fan fiction, Slash also has a touching and relatable coming-of-age story at its core. Neil's journey is one that many young people will recognize – that of trying to find oneself in a world that doesn't always seem to understand or accept who you are. Michael Johnston gives a strong performance as Neil, conveying both his awkwardness and his growing self-assurance with grace and sensitivity.

The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly Hannah Marks as Julia and Missi Pyle as Neil's supportive English teacher. Lucas Neff and Courtney Bandeko have smaller roles as Neil's brother and sister-in-law, respectively, but they're both memorable in their own way. Neff's character is a would-be filmmaker who serves as a kind of mentor to Neil, while Bandeko's character is a free-spirited artist who serves as a foil to Neil's more reserved personality.

Overall, Slash is a thoughtful and engaging movie that explores some complex themes with nuance and empathy. It's a must-see for anyone who's ever been a fan of anything, or who's ever struggled to find their place in the world.

Slash is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 64.