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Teacher Imprisons Disruptive Pupil in Dark Comedy
17 Sep
Summary
- A teacher imprisons a disruptive student in her basement.
- The film is described as a strange, heavy-handed black comedy.
- Saoirse Ronan's performance is highlighted as a key strength.
A primary school teacher in the English West Country finds herself in an implausible situation in Jonatan Etzler's black comedy. Maria, an idealistic teacher portrayed by Saoirse Ronan, struggles with a violently disruptive pupil named Danny. After an incident where Danny injures another student, Maria accidentally incapacitates him and, in a panic, conceals him in her basement.
As Danny is held captive, the rest of Maria's class begins to flourish, leading to a glowing Ofsted report for the teacher. However, Maria must confront the dark secret of Danny's imprisonment. The film, adapted from a Swedish novel, has been criticized for its plot holes and questionable premise, with critics suggesting it lacks sufficient shock or humor to justify its narrative.
Despite the criticisms of implausibility, Saoirse Ronan's performance as Maria is widely considered a standout element, offering a captivating portrayal even within a questionable storyline. The film's attempts at black comedy and satire are seen as heavy-handed and unpersuasive by reviewers.
