LOOKSMAXXING is a 2026 independent short film by Elan Alexander, starring skateboarder and actor Sunny Suljic as the main character. The film centers on the male loneliness epidemic through the story of Niles, a “dopamine-depleted” young man who becomes obsessed with hyper-masculine beauty standards popularized on the internet.
As Niles falls deeper into the world of looksmaxxing, his obsession with physical perfection becomes increasingly destructive. The film shows how hyper-masculine influencers and online personalities can push young men toward unrealistic ideals, convincing them that changing their appearance is the only way to be respected, desired, or accepted. By the end of the film, Niles eventually turns into a literal monster as a result of his obsession.
This film is like a modern-day Requiem for a Dream, another psychological horror film that touches on similar themes of obsession, unreachable perfection, and the influence of pop culture. LOOKSMAXXING serves as a reminder of how damaging the internet can be to young, impressionable adults.
This is probably one of the most ambitious films of 2026 because of how real and timely it is. This film covers topics and trends that are happening right now, with everything from the slang to the internet culture being realistic to the 2020s. It exposes the flaws within modern society and shows how the internet can make young adults feel insecure, isolated, and desperate to become someone they were never meant to be.
By Ed Roobi