Watch Afterschool

Afterschool is a 2008 drama film that follows Robert, a high school student who is obsessed with filming everything around him. He attends a prestigious prep school for boys called the Sinclair Academy, where he does not fit in with the wealthy and privileged students. Robert's life takes a dark turn when he captures a video of two popular girls dying after overdosing on drugs in their dorm room. The video becomes viral, and the school and the media are put in the spotlight, making Robert a unwitting witness to the events that unfold.

The film is set in a seemingly idyllic campus, where the students appear to be treated to the best of everything, from the latest technology to elite academic coaching. However, things are not as perfect as they seem, and the movie explores themes of toxic culture, bullying, academic pressure, and the consequences of always being connected through social media.

The film's main character, Robert, is ill at ease within the school's privileged and entitled culture, preferring to spend his time behind the camera rather than socializing with his peers. He is an awkward introvert who struggles with social interactions and fitting in, a character that many viewers can relate to.

The young cast of Afterschool delivers top-notch performances, particularly Ezra Miller, who plays Robert brilliantly. Miller brings a subtle intensity to the role, playing Robert as someone on the brink of a breakdown, and his performance is both haunting and heartbreaking. Jeremy Allen White as Dave and Emory Cohen as Trevor are also excellent in their portrayal of two other students at the academy.

The film's visuals are stunning, with long, unbroken takes that create a searing sense of unease throughout the movie. The camera lingers on the students as they pass through brightly-lit corridors, where they seem to be lost and alone despite being surrounded by their peers. The aesthetic choice of using a slow, static camera gives the film a voyeuristic quality, adding to the overall sense of foreboding.

Moreover, the movie's pacing is slow and deliberate, allowing the audience to absorb the events as they unfold onscreen. There are no high-octane action scenes or dramatic twists, but rather a sense of constant tension as the story unravels. The movie's understated approach adds to the film's overall impact and makes it a movie that will stay with the viewer long after the credits have rolled.

The film's score is haunting and adds to the eeriness of the narrative. The music is minimal, with droning sounds and minimalist piano melodies creating a sense of unease throughout the film. The soundtrack is minimal, adding to the sense that the viewer is eavesdropping on a secret world.

Overall, Afterschool is a stunning film that explores the darker side of high school life. It is a well-crafted movie that is both haunting and insightful, and it captures the complexities of adolescence with vivid clarity. It is a film that is recommended for anyone who appreciates cinema as an art form and as a vehicle to engage with the world's most pressing issues.

Afterschool is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 66.