X
  • 2016
  • FilmRise
  • 1 h 41 m
  • 2016
  • FilmRise
  • 1 h 41 m

Summary Located in an impoverished Mojave Desert community, Black Rock Continuation High School is one of California’s alternative schools for students at risk of dropping out. Every student here has fallen so far behind in credits that they have no hope of earning a diploma at a traditional high school. Black Rock is their last chance. [FilmR...

Directed By: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe

  • 2016
  • FilmRise
  • 1 h 41 m
  • 2016
  • FilmRise
  • 1 h 41 m

The Bad Kids

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
75
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary Located in an impoverished Mojave Desert community, Black Rock Continuation High School is one of California’s alternative schools for students at risk of dropping out. Every student here has fallen so far behind in credits that they have no hope of earning a diploma at a traditional high school. Black Rock is their last chance. [FilmR...

Directed By: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
75
100% Positive
9 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
75
100% Positive
9 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
91
Dec 14, 2016
Directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (best-known for their Terry Gilliam behind-the-scenes docs Lost In La Mancha and The Hamster Factor) have made The Bad Kids in the “fly on the wall” mold of Frederick Wiseman, crossed with the “year-in-the-life” storytelling of Hoop Dreams. The structure of Black Rock itself is one of their biggest narrative assets.
By Noel Murray FULL REVIEW
90
Dec 15, 2016
This isn’t just a necessary or powerful story; it’s a well-told one.
By Kimber Myers FULL REVIEW
80
Dec 21, 2016
Desert flowers can be hard to spot, but are often distinctly beautiful, and The Bad Kids has them in focus.
By Daphne Howland FULL REVIEW
75
Dec 29, 2016
It’s bracing and inspiring, what filmmakers Keith Fulton and Leo Pepe show us in that first hour.
By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW
70
Dec 15, 2016
Taking the macro view, [Fulton and Pepe] seem to miss out on the types of thorny micro details — about McGee’s relationship with his mother, or about Viland’s own history preceding her tenure at Black Rock — that would have provided additional complexity.
By Nick Schager FULL REVIEW
67
Dec 15, 2016
The Bad Kids falters due to a lack of focus.
By Kevin Jagernauth FULL REVIEW
63
Dec 16, 2016
The Bad Kids is interesting enough in what it shows us to spark interest in what it leaves un-shown. In its case, the information supplied by a few well-chosen talking heads could have given it additional clarity and appeal.
By Godfrey Cheshire FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Low Key Pictures
Release Date Dec 16, 2016
Duration 1 h 41 m
Genres
Website https://www.facebook.com/thebadkidsmovie/
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Awards

Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
International Documentary Association
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Cleveland International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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