Sightlines · reception

How May was received

2003 · Lucky McKee · May on Sightlines

The arc

It vanished theatrically in 2003 — barely released, grossing next to nothing despite Roger Ebert's rapturous four-star review — then slowly built a DVD-era cult that's since carried it to 'best horror of the 2000s' lists and genuine Letterboxd-canon status.

What’s debated

The perennial fight is whether May is a tender, empathetic character study wearing horror's clothes or a horror film that takes too long to become one — with a side debate over whether we're meant to sympathize with May or be afraid of her.

Its footprint

'If you can't find a friend, make one' is the tagline that outlived the marketing, and May herself — glass case, doll, lazy eye — has become a patron saint of the internet's 'weird girl horror' and 'good for her' canons, name-checked alongside Carrie and Excision.

Where it stands

A textbook flop-to-cult-classic: a tiny indie that film Twitter and Letterboxd horror circles now treat as essential 2000s viewing and the film that made Angela Bettis a scream-queen icon for sad girls.

Did you know? Roger Ebert gave this barely-released indie four stars and championed Angela Bettis's performance as one of the year's best — and in that same year, 2002, Bettis also played Carrie White in the TV remake of Carrie.