Is this a horror movie?

Not in the traditional sense. There are no jump scares or monsters, but there is significant 'body horror' involving skin disfigurement that many will find more disturbing than a standard slasher.

Is the self-harm depicted realistically?

The method is a bit heightened (using obscure Russian pills), but the impulse is portrayed with a terrifying, satirical realism. It's about the psychological drive to be seen, even if it hurts.

Where can I actually watch this?

It's primarily on MUBI, which is a curated streaming service for cinephiles. You can also find it on Hoopla if your local library supports it.

Will my 14-year-old like it?

Probably not. Unless they are a very mature film buff, the slow pace and extreme cynicism will likely bore or just gross them out. Wait a few years.

Sick of Myself – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Sick of Myself

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A pitch-black satire about the lengths people go for clout. It’s gross, mean, and probably the most honest movie about narcissism you’ll ever see.

88%

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Sick of Myself

movie

15, 2022

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A pitch-black satire about the lengths people go for clout. It’s gross, mean, and probably the most honest movie about narcissism you’ll ever see.

88%

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88%

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Screenwise Verdict

Sick of Myself is a 'feel-bad' movie in the best possible way. It’s a sharp-toothed Norwegian dark comedy that looks at the attention economy and decides to set it on fire. If you’ve ever felt a twinge of annoyance at someone’s performative social media post, this movie takes that feeling and turns it into a body-horror masterpiece.

It’s not for the faint of heart or the young. It’s a movie about terrible people doing terrible things to themselves and each other, but it’s done with such wit and visual flair that it’s hard to look away. For parents of older teens, it’s a fantastic (if uncomfortable) springboard for talking about narcissism and the desperate need for validation.

Age Fit

Strictly 16+. This is a mature, cynical film that requires a high level of media literacy to understand the satire. Younger kids will just find it gross and depressing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The entire plot revolves around a woman intentionally poisoning herself with illegal Russian skin-meds to gain sympathy and steal the spotlight from her artist boyfriend. It is the literal antithesis of wholesome, though that is entirely the point.

Imaginative

The way the film visualizes Signe's narcissism through surreal daydreams and grotesque practical effects is incredibly creative. It takes the concept of 'the attention economy' to a logical, bloody extreme.

Safe

There is significant body horror here, including graphic skin conditions, blood, and medical procedures. The psychological safety is also low, as the film thrives on extreme social discomfort and self-harm.

Enriching

It is a sharp, necessary critique of how modern culture rewards victimhood and performative trauma. It is a great pick for a media literacy discussion with older teens about self-worth and the algorithm.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Brutal social satire that skewers the Oslo art scene and modern validation-seeking behavior.
Top-tier practical effects that make the body horror feel visceral and earned rather than just cheap shocks.
Kristine Kujath Thorp's performance is fearless; she plays a character who is utterly irredeemable yet impossible to look away from.
It's a perfect 'anti-romance' for anyone tired of sanitized, feel-good cinema.

⚠

What to Watch For

The body horror is intense. We're talking skin falling off, heavy scarring, and a lot of blood. If your kid is squeamish, this is a hard no.
The protagonist intentionally ingests dangerous pills to make herself sick. For any kid struggling with self-harm or eating disorders, this could be highly triggering.
The relationship between Signe and Thomas is purely toxic and involves competitive narcissism. It's not a model of healthy behavior.

Conversation Starters

"Why does Signe feel like being 'sick' is the only way to get people to care about her?"
"Thomas is an artist who uses stolen furniture. Is his 'art' any more honest than Signe's 'illness'?"
"How does social media change the way we value ourselves compared to how our friends see us?"
"At what point does wanting attention become a pathology?"

Deep Dive

The Anti-'Worst Person in the World'

If you saw The Worst Person in the World and thought it was a bit too charming, Sick of Myself is the antidote. Director Kristoffer Borgli—who later went on to do Dream Scenario with Nicolas Cage—has a specific talent for capturing the most embarrassing, cringeworthy parts of the human ego.

Signe and Thomas are a couple you’d hate to have dinner with. He’s a rising artist who makes sculptures out of stolen chairs; she’s a barista who feels invisible. When Thomas gets a profile in a major magazine, Signe decides she needs a brand, too. Her brand just happens to be 'mysterious, disfiguring skin condition.'

Practical Effects and the 'Yuck' Factor

The movie uses incredible practical makeup effects. As Signe’s condition worsens, the film moves into Cronenberg territory. It’s not just about the gore, though; it’s about the reaction to the gore. Signe loves the horrified, sympathetic looks she gets. It’s a literalization of the internal rot that comes from living entirely for the gaze of others.

Why it Matters in 2026

In a world where 'main character energy' is a goal and trauma is often used as social currency, this movie feels more relevant than ever. It doesn't offer easy answers or a redemption arc. It just holds up a very ugly, very funny mirror to our worst impulses. If you can handle the sight of a face bandage soaked in blood, it's one of the most original films of the decade.

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