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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 26.Dec.25

The Plague
Review by Rich Cline | 3.5/5

dir-scr Charlie Polinger
prd Lizzie Shapiro, Lucy McKendrick, Joel Edgerton, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy
with Joel Edgerton, Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, Lucas Adler, Caden Burris, Lennox Espy, Elliott Heffernan, Kolton Lee, Nicolas Rasovan, George Ion, Ecaterina Mitriou
release Aus Jun.25 sff,
US 24.Dec.25
25/Australia 1h35

CANNES FILM FEST

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Building a menacing intensity through the clever use of pristine underwater photography and inventive depictions of peer pressure among 12- and 13-year-old boys, this Australian drama (set in the US, filmed in Romania) gets under the skin with its personal perspective on an intense topic. Writer-director Charlie Polinger reveals unnerving details in seemingly innocuous situations, leaning toward horror as he explores a particularly dark side of adolescence.

At a water polo camp in 2003, boys test the patience of their coach (Edgerton). Sensitive Ben (Blunck) tries to fit in with the cool kids, who have decided that Eli (Rasmussen) has the "plague" and must be shunned. Eli's offbeat, individualist behaviour sets him apart, but it intrigues Ben, who is also fascinated by the girls' synchronised team practising nearby. When Ben secretly befriends Eli, others begin saying that he has caught the plague. Sure enough, Ben begins showing symptoms. With no one to turn to for help, the situation escalates in terrifying ways.

A Lord of the Flies vibe permeates the interaction at meals, in the showers, locker-room and bunks, as over-confident alpha boys find insidious ways to assert dominance. Their feral tendencies flare when they sneak out one night for a flurry of vandalism. It's chilling to watch their mob mentality feed a false narrative that sparks crippling anxiety. Even though they all know the plague is fake, it still holds horrifying power over these boys. The fear is real.

The engaging Blunck skilfully maintains transparency as the thoughtful Ben, who can't begin to understand why bullies never feel bad about awful things they do. Martin brings vicious charisma to top dog Jake, who delights in his cruelty. Rasmussen is also terrific as the outcast with a hilariously bone-dry sense of humour. His intelligence, and his ability to see the world beyond these boys, is what scares them. And Edgerton is earthy and natural as the friendly coach who really shouldn't be this oblivious.

This is a finely made film, with sleek camerawork that adds an edge to the story's topicality, even as things get seriously gruelling. Cleverly, water polo provides a pointed metaphor with the illegal action hidden under the surface. Jake sneers ironically at Ben, "Don't let what other people think decide who you are." But most intriguing is how the coach offers knowing advice that simply doesn't resonate with Ben, who feels increasingly lost in this situation.

themes, language, violence 23.Dec.25

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL