Home / Arts and Entertainment / Cillian Murphy Leads Gritty Drama About Embattled Headmaster's Struggle
Cillian Murphy Leads Gritty Drama About Embattled Headmaster's Struggle
6 Sep
Summary
- Stanton Wood is a reform school for "very disturbed young men"
- Headmaster Steve, played by Cillian Murphy, fights to keep the school open
- Therapist Jenny and tough-love teacher Amanda try to help the troubled students
In 2025, Stanton Wood is a reform school for "very disturbed young men" that is facing closure. The school's embattled headmaster, Steve, played by Cillian Murphy, is fighting to keep the institution open and help the troubled students in his care.
Steve and his small but dedicated staff, including psychiatrist Jenny (Emily Watson) and tough-love teacher Amanda (Tracey Ullman), work tirelessly to manage the students' aggression and give them a chance to turn their lives around. However, the government has pulled the school's funding, and Steve must now contend with a documentary film crew as he tries to save Stanton Wood from being sold out from under him.
As the school's fate hangs in the balance, tensions rise among the students, who are capable of sudden, violent outbursts. Steve and his team must constantly de-escalate conflicts and ensure the students don't harm each other or themselves. The film offers a gritty, empathetic look at the challenges of working with troubled youth, as well as the personal toll it takes on the staff.
