Afterschool
User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9

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  1. Sindri
    Feb 17, 2011
    7
    Weighty and socially-critical - "Afterschool" tells the story of Robert, a student feeling out of place at an elite east coast preparatory school called Brighton where he spends large parts of his spare-time watching violent and pornographic video-clips on the internet while his roommate Dave sells drugs. Robert get's in touch with his classmate Amy who has a positive effect on him, but one day he accidentally captures the death of two senior students with his video camera and things change.
    Antonio Campos' feature film debut is a slow-paced and rigidly minimalistic social-drama with a recognizable narrative, which tactfully depicts the aftermath of a tragedy at a private secondary school. Continuously following the main character, surprisingly well acted by débutant Ezra Miller, Antonio Campos forms a sparse though in-depth character study filmed with repetitive close ups, flashbacks, in-zooming and low camera angels. "Afterschool" is a severe tale of overlooked teenage anxiety which intellectually examines themes like voyeurism, alienation, addiction, communication and guilt. It is also a shocking and uneasy portrayal of an emotionally estranged and mentally disturbed teenager darkened by guilt and shame. The quiet and short dialog and the long takes enhances the impending mood in this throughout stark independent thriller only contrasted by the bright colored imagery.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Empire
    Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    60
    Compelling performances and some stand-out scenes but this lacks the cohesive language of "Elephant," for example.
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  2. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    88
    Campos, a cinematic disciple of Stanley Kubrick and latter-period Gus Van Sant, opts to let the movie do the talking for him. The fact that this is a film of few words only adds to its hypnotic, relentless pull.
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Deborah Young
    70
    This is a sophisticated stylistic exercise too rarefied for wide audiences, but earmarked for critical kudos.
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