We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021) is a uniquely unsettling exploration of digital isolation and adolescent identity in the internet age. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, this atmospheric horror-drama follows teenager Casey as she becomes deeply immersed in an online role-playing horror game called the World's Fair Challenge. From her attic bedroom, she documents her experiences as she attempts to undergo mysterious transformations promised by the game, blurring the lines between reality and digital fantasy.

Anna Cobb delivers a remarkable debut performance as Casey, capturing the vulnerability and curiosity of a lonely teenager seeking connection in virtual spaces. The film's minimalist approach creates an intimate, claustrophobic atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the experience of being alone with a screen for hours. Schoenbrun's direction masterfully builds tension through subtle shifts in perception rather than traditional horror tropes, making the psychological unease far more disturbing than any jump scare.

What makes We're All Going to the World's Fair worth watching is its authentic portrayal of internet subcultures and the search for identity in digital spaces. The film raises profound questions about authenticity, transformation, and the nature of self in an increasingly online world. With its thoughtful pacing, atmospheric sound design, and genuine understanding of internet culture, this film offers a haunting meditation on modern loneliness that will linger with viewers long after the credits roll.