The Strange Thing About the Johnsons: Where to Watch & More

Ari Aster’s 2011 short film still makes people uncomfortable — and that’s exactly the point. This guide covers where to stream the 30-minute psychological horror, whether it’s based on a true story, and what to watch next if you’re still thinking about it.

Director: Ari Aster ·
Release Year: 2011 ·
Runtime: 30 minutes ·
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10 ·
Genre: Psychological Horror ·
Country: United States

The key specs of Ari Aster’s debut short span six data points, with one pattern: every number confirms a tight, contained production that packs maximum discomfort into minimal runtime.

Is The Strange Thing About the Johnsons on Netflix?

Does Netflix currently offer this short film?

No, The Strange Thing About the Johnsons is not currently available on Netflix. Multiple sources confirm the film is absent from the platform’s catalog (The Streamable (streaming tracker)). It is not a Netflix original — it was produced as Ari Aster’s thesis project at the American Film Institute in 2011 (YouTube (user description of thesis project)).

Is it included with a Netflix subscription?

Since the short is not part of Netflix’s library, no subscription tier offers it. Streaming availability is limited to other platforms (see next section).

What other streaming platforms carry it?

• YouTube – free, with occasional subtitle options (YouTube – first link kept)
• Amazon Prime Video – available for rent or purchase (Amazon (retail listing))
• Vimeo – mentioned as a streaming location (Film Companion (film magazine))

The implication: viewers must rely on free or paid alternatives outside of Netflix.

Where can I watch The Strange Thing About the Johnsons?

Available streaming platforms

The film is most accessible on YouTube (user-upload platform), where multiple uploads exist — some in 4K with subtitles. For those who prefer a purchase, Amazon Prime Video (retail marketplace) – first link kept offers rental or digital purchase. Film Companion (film magazine) – first link kept notes the short was also streaming on Vimeo.

Free vs paid options

• Free: YouTube (checked 2025) — search “The Strange Thing About the Johnsons full short film”
• Paid: Amazon Prime Video – rent from $3.99 or buy (~$9.99) depending on region (Moviefone (aggregated availability))

YouTube availability

YouTube hosts the film in its entirety. One upload titled “The Strange Thing About the Johnsons (2011) Ari Aster” has accumulated over 1 million views (YouTube – first link kept). However, uploads may be removed for content policy violations, given the TV-MA rating (IMDb (rating board classification)).

The pattern: YouTube remains the most accessible option, though its permanence is uncertain.

Is The Strange Thing About the Johnsons based on a true story?

Inspiration behind the film

No. Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) states the story is “a work of fiction.” Ari Aster has never claimed a real-life incident inspired the plot. The short was conceived as a thesis project for the American Film Institute (YouTube – first link kept).

Ari Aster’s statements

In interviews, Aster has described the film as an exploration of domestic abuse and power dynamics, not a retelling of a specific case (Collider (film news outlet)).

Fictional nature

The plot — a father trapped in an abusive incestuous relationship with his son — is entirely invented. The deliberate ambiguity leaves room for interpretation, but the foundation is fictional.

What this means: the film’s impact is rooted in fiction, not reality.

What are some movies similar to The Strange Thing About the Johnsons?

Other psychological horror shorts

Fans who want more concentrated dread often turn to The Babadook (2014), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), and Aster’s own Hereditary (2018) (Collider – first link kept).

Films about family dysfunction

• The Visit (2015) — M. Night Shyamalan’s take on toxic family dynamics (Rotten Tomatoes (critic aggregate))
• The Monster (2016) — a mother-daughter survival horror (Rotten Tomatoes (critic aggregate))

Recommended by fans

On Reddit (community discussion), users often recommend Possum (2018) and The Eyes of My Mother (2016) for similar unsettling family horror.

“The short centers on a suburban family in which the father is trapped in a one-sided incestuous relationship with his abusive son.”

— Wikipedia synopsis

How long is The Strange Thing About the Johnsons?

Exact runtime

The film runs 30 minutes (IMDb – first link kept). The American Film Institute (film archive) – first link kept lists 29 minutes, a standard rounding difference for festival submissions.

Film length in minutes

Consensus: 30 minutes. This places it firmly in the short film category (under 40 minutes) rather than a feature.

Comparison to typical short films

Most psychological horror shorts range from 10–25 minutes. At 30 minutes, Aster’s film is slightly longer — almost a half-hour of sustained tension.

The catch: the short length belies its intense content; viewers should be prepared for a concentrated experience.

Clarity: What We Know vs. What’s Uncertain

Confirmed facts

• The film is a 2011 short fiction film directed by Ari Aster. (Wikipedia – first link kept)
• It is not based on a true story. (Collider – first link kept)

What’s unclear

• Exact streaming availability across regions may vary. (Filmarks – first link kept)
• Whether the film will ever be added to Netflix. (The Streamable – first link kept)

“It’s not just shocking for shock’s sake. It makes us face the violence and silence within families.”

— Filmmatters Magazine (film criticism publication)

“The short centers on a suburban family in which the father is trapped in a one-sided incestuous relationship with his abusive son.”

— Wikipedia synopsis

The pattern: The controversy around this short stems from its willingness to visually depict a taboo that most films only imply. For first-time viewers, the choice is between seeking out the original on YouTube or preparing for a feature-length experience with Aster’s later works like Movies Coming Out in 2025 that explore similar psychological terrain.

For fans of psychological horror, The Strange Thing About the Johnsons offers a raw look at Ari Aster’s early talent. The choice is clear: watch it on YouTube for free, or rent it on Amazon Prime, but don’t expect a Netflix addition anytime soon. For those who find the themes too heavy, Godzilla vs. Kong: Winner, Watch Order & What’s Next provides a lighter monster-movie alternative.

Fans of his later features may find Ari Asters controversial short film even more unsettling for its raw depiction of family dysfunction.

Frequently asked questions