IMDb RATING
5.9/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
A young boy becomes fascinated with the persona of his dead grandmother and is sent to an isolated boarding school for misfits run by a mysterious headmaster and his wife.A young boy becomes fascinated with the persona of his dead grandmother and is sent to an isolated boarding school for misfits run by a mysterious headmaster and his wife.A young boy becomes fascinated with the persona of his dead grandmother and is sent to an isolated boarding school for misfits run by a mysterious headmaster and his wife.
Owen Zamsky
- Rupert Holcomb
- (as Owen Zane Zamsky)
Nico Oliveri
- Elwood
- (as Nicholas J. Oliveri)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This film makes the most of a modest budget. I watched it well aware that it had received fairly horrible reviews from most film critics, expecting to turn it off after a few minutes. I was surprised to find a film with such an air of specificity to its details. There are actual layers to what goes on in this film, and actual depth to the character development and performances. Although the plot does indulge in the heightened excesses of its horror genre (at times it seemed to be keyed in at the level of a fairy tale, a point which is nodded to in the screenplay), the majority of this film maintains an admirable level of meaningful, lived-in realism, tackling everything from generational trauma to parental disappointment to bullying to gender identity and more in a nuanced and intriguing way.
I guess what I'm saying is that so many low budget horror movies are full of hackneyed tropes, pitiful jump scares, predictable twists, and dialogue that was clearly typed by a screenwriter onto a page and then read aloud by an actor. This movie, however, is refreshingly vibrant in addition to being highly entertaining. The camerawork is likewise skillful, and although I wouldn't say this movie is actually scary--not by a long shot--it is quite suspenseful.
Plus, I gotta give extra credit to any movie with the audacity to execute its action climax with its boy star wearing the costume that Luke Prael does here.
I guess what I'm saying is that so many low budget horror movies are full of hackneyed tropes, pitiful jump scares, predictable twists, and dialogue that was clearly typed by a screenwriter onto a page and then read aloud by an actor. This movie, however, is refreshingly vibrant in addition to being highly entertaining. The camerawork is likewise skillful, and although I wouldn't say this movie is actually scary--not by a long shot--it is quite suspenseful.
Plus, I gotta give extra credit to any movie with the audacity to execute its action climax with its boy star wearing the costume that Luke Prael does here.
The situation is where the horror lies in this film. This is about a boy who is on the verge of entering his teen years and having some trouble with facing his fears and coming to terms with his identity after the death of a grandmother he never knew. This results in behavior that is distressing to his mother and stepfather and he is sent to a boarding school in an attempt to "fix" him. The school isn't what it seems and he, along with other misfits, try to understand what is going on around them as strange occurrences seem to happen more and more frequently.
This is low budget but well done. The actors, especially our lead, did a fantastic job. The story is slightly shaky but I believe it could've been easily cleaned up with a better script. The camera work was well done with some really great shots deeper into the movie. For me, it seemed a bit long and it took a while for things to really get going but despite this, it held my attention throughout.
This was a pleasant low budget surprise. It deserves a recommendation. Give it a chance.
This is low budget but well done. The actors, especially our lead, did a fantastic job. The story is slightly shaky but I believe it could've been easily cleaned up with a better script. The camera work was well done with some really great shots deeper into the movie. For me, it seemed a bit long and it took a while for things to really get going but despite this, it held my attention throughout.
This was a pleasant low budget surprise. It deserves a recommendation. Give it a chance.
This is a horrish,slasherlike bloodgore movie based on deceift and lack of parental love.
it is a school film,but bends of very fast to not to be.lots of madness and why did they do that-feeling hits me during the watching.
the teenage cast are really good,some of the performances are brilliant ,but itis damaged by a poor screenplay.the filmography and editing saves some of the glory.,it is not a rewatch for me.
It has been some time since I have seen a kid with such pur acting chops. I loved Luke Prael as Jacob. He really keeps us wondering what is going on in that expansive imagination/head of his. His performance was near perfect alongside some other amazing young stars; not forgetting to mention a particularly breathtaking performance from the young starlet.
This is a must see for indie lovers and lovers of horror outside the box.
Just watch this if you appreciate the art of acting.
I foresee a long career for Prael...if he keps it up and chooses his scripts wisely he can and will become one of the greats.
I would not class this as a horror movie. More of a psychological thriller with horror elements. It is a strange little movie, with some good performances, but as with many films these days, doesn't explain itself well. I don't think I'm giving away a spoiler when I say a young boy has a fixation with his grandmother, it's in the promos, But this is not really expanded on enough in the movie to make sense of. He is sent to an exclusive Boarding School and things start being a bit weird. The finale scene I just found puzzling, as there had been very little other reference to it in the movie. The young lead and main character does an excellent job in a difficult role, and helps to carry this to above average.
Did you know
- TriviaBoaz Yakin and Will Patton previously worked together on Remember the Titans.
- GoofsNear the end of the film when Jacob splashes a solution of sodium acetate around the room and throws a match on it, it goes up like it was gasoline. Solutions of sodium acetate are NOT flammable.
- Quotes
Christine Holcomb: My father told me this was a bed-and-breakfast.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Another Alone (2023)
- SoundtracksChanson de Matin
Written by Edward Elgar
Performed by James Campbell & Allegri String Quartet (as The Allegri String Quartet)
Courtesy of Liberty Music Services Inc.
- How long is Boarding School?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $7,438
- Runtime
- 1h 51m(111 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content