The Strange Thing About the Johnsons is a 2011 American short psychological thriller film written and directed by Ari Aster.

The film stars Billy Mayo, Brandon Greenhouse, and Angela Bullock as members of a suburban family in which the father is trapped in an incestuous relationship with his abusive son.

The next day, Sidney attempts to leave the house with a secret copy of Cocoon Man but is led into another confrontation with Isaiah, who gaslights him.

They're very Hollywood-oriented and they want to train you to become a Hollywood filmmaker, and the films they show the incoming fellows are very politically correct ... Oscar movies.

"[6] After the short film was released online, it went viral, garnering a polarized reaction due to its controversial themes.

[3][7] Ivan Kander of the website Short of the Week wrote that the comments on YouTube had "everything from effusive acclaim to disgusted vitriol" which "in terms of the internet, means it's a hit".

We certainly assumed that casting black actors in a film that tackles such transgressive themes would create something of a stir, and it would be a lie to say that we weren't hesitant, especially as many people were advising us against the decision.

"[3] Malcolm Harris, an African-American survivor of incest and child sexual abuse, wrote in The Huffington Post that Mayo's performance was "brilliant".

'"[7] After its online release, The Strange Thing About the Johnsons quickly gained attention for its disturbing subject matter, leading to a highly polarized reception.

Viewers expressed a wide range of reactions, from praise for its bold storytelling to strong criticism over its unsettling themes and graphic nature.