Two troubled adolescents chronicle the events that ultimately lead up to a terrifying assault on their school.
Acting
Robertson and Keuck are terrifyingly naturalistic best friends.
Direction
Coccio invented this visual language years before better-known imitators.
Editing
The birthday party scene's fake cheer will haunt you.
Director
Ben Coccio
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in 2001 and released in 2003, it predated both Elephant and the Columbine-obsessed media cycle—yet barely anyone saw it until after bigger films stole its thunder.
The actors improvised most scenes using only character journals Coccio gave them; the birthday party meltdown was completely unscripted.
US
