1988·Drama·1h 40m
7.0
★
Jerry, a new student at an elite Catholic prep school, must face the hazing practices handed down by the Vigils, a group of powerful students. When teacher Brother Leon pushes the students to sell chocolates for a fundraiser, the head of the Vigils, Archie, gets Jerry to reject selling for 10 days. However, Jerry decides to keep up the refusal past the original time frame, which pits him against the Vigils and the school staff.
Directed by Keith Gordon
based on novel or book
chocolate
secret society
brotherhood
male friendship
violence in schools
private school
coming of age
grief
catholic
catholic school
blunt
individuality
fundraising
catholic guilt
non conformity
boys' school
boxing
school bullying
power dynamics
suspenseful
tense
callous
ominous
herd mentality
mob mentality
all boys school
loss of a parent
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
John Glover
Brother Leon
Ilan Mitchell-Smith
Jerry
Wallace Langham
Archie
Doug Hutchison
Obie
Brent David Fraser
Emile Janza (as Brent Fraser)
Jenny Wright
Lisa
Bud Cort
Brother Jacques
Adam Baldwin
Carter
Ethan Sandler
Caroni
Rick May
Doctor
Crew
Keith Gordon
Director
Keith Gordon
Writer
Tom Richmond
Director of Photography
Popular Reviews
13 reviews
bornwholocker
8.0★ · 03/09/26
Don’t miss that bus boy
Don’t miss that bus boy
Film ScorePRO
8.0★ · 02/25/26
An underrated gem about Power, rebellion, and alienation.
In twisted fashion this dead poets society film, teaches us about poking the universe. While Jerry might think his rebellion will show the corruption, and inspire others, he instead gets publicly beaten, and abandoned. For a brief moment there is hope that his rebellion worked, but he is soon faced with the system staying intact.
This message isn’t saying that rebellion is wrong, it is saying that systems of power are just to strong. You can also see it as people choosing safety over courage. They realize that it is much easier to hide behind the force, than conform against it.
The soundtrack is also peak
In twisted fashion this dead poets society film, teaches us about poking the universe. While Jerry might think his rebellion will show the corruption, and inspire others, he instead gets publicly beaten, and abandoned. For a brief moment there is hope that his rebellion worked, but he is soon faced with the system staying intact.
This message isn’t saying that rebellion is wrong, it is saying that systems of power are just to strong. You can also see it as people choosing safety over courage. They realize that it is much easier to hide behind the force, than conform against it.
The soundtrack is also peak
An underrated gem about Power, rebellion, and alienation.
In twisted fashion this dead poets society film, teaches us about poking the universe. While Jerry might think his rebellion will show the corruption, and inspire others, he instead gets publicly beaten, and abandoned. For a brief moment there is hope that his rebellion worked, but he is soon faced with the system staying intact.
This message isn’t saying that rebellion is wrong, it is saying that systems of power are just to strong. You can also see it as people choosing safety over courage. They realize that it is much easier to hide behind the force, than conform against it.
The soundtrack is also peak
In twisted fashion this dead poets society film, teaches us about poking the universe. While Jerry might think his rebellion will show the corruption, and inspire others, he instead gets publicly beaten, and abandoned. For a brief moment there is hope that his rebellion worked, but he is soon faced with the system staying intact.
This message isn’t saying that rebellion is wrong, it is saying that systems of power are just to strong. You can also see it as people choosing safety over courage. They realize that it is much easier to hide behind the force, than conform against it.
The soundtrack is also peak
soph
7.0★ · 09/15/25
i’m aware this came out before, but to the person who described this movie as “evil dead poets society”, you were correct.
i’m aware this came out before, but to the person who described this movie as “evil dead poets society”, you were correct.
Makayla
3.4★ · 03/01/25
i don’t know why i wasn’t super into this movie. i read the book when i was younger (my middle school library weeded out their copy so i got it for free — it took me 2 attempts to finish the book, but i ultimately remember liking it). i like academia films/books. it’s got some gayness to it.
so why didn’t i like the movie? maybe because i watched it on my night shift and wasn’t fully in the right mood? i’m not sure. it felt slow and too long and just kinda meh overall. i liked the fight scene (which was also the most memorable scene for me from the book), but otherwise i was like ehh.
the Running Up That Hill needledrop into the credits was wild though. i think the soundtrack was the best part of the movie, 80’s/90’s synth vibes at times.
so why didn’t i like the movie? maybe because i watched it on my night shift and wasn’t fully in the right mood? i’m not sure. it felt slow and too long and just kinda meh overall. i liked the fight scene (which was also the most memorable scene for me from the book), but otherwise i was like ehh.
the Running Up That Hill needledrop into the credits was wild though. i think the soundtrack was the best part of the movie, 80’s/90’s synth vibes at times.
i don’t know why i wasn’t super into this movie. i read the book when i was younger (my middle school library weeded out their copy so i got it for free — it took me 2 attempts to finish the book, but i ultimately remember liking it). i like academia films/books. it’s got some gayness to it.
so why didn’t i like the movie? maybe because i watched it on my night shift and wasn’t fully in the right mood? i’m not sure. it felt slow and too long and just kinda meh overall. i liked the fight scene (which was also the most memorable scene for me from the book), but otherwise i was like ehh.
the Running Up That Hill needledrop into the credits was wild though. i think the soundtrack was the best part of the movie, 80’s/90’s synth vibes at times.
so why didn’t i like the movie? maybe because i watched it on my night shift and wasn’t fully in the right mood? i’m not sure. it felt slow and too long and just kinda meh overall. i liked the fight scene (which was also the most memorable scene for me from the book), but otherwise i was like ehh.
the Running Up That Hill needledrop into the credits was wild though. i think the soundtrack was the best part of the movie, 80’s/90’s synth vibes at times.
harrwho
7.0★ · 01/05/25
pacing around his room shirtless while calling the guy he definitely hates
pacing around his room shirtless while calling the guy he definitely hates