The Plague
The brief
Charlie Polinger crafts an anxiety-soaked summer nightmare that feels like Eighth Grade meets Lord of the Flies in chlorinated water. Everett Blunck delivers a raw, uncomfortable performance as a kid whose social phobias manifest in increasingly disturbing ways, while the water polo setting becomes a pressure cooker of teenage cruelty. The film moves at a deliberate pace that mirrors its protagonist's mounting dread, building tension through awkward silences and predatory group dynamics. Perfect for anyone who found Bo Burnham's coming-of-age torture too gentle and wants something with sharper psychological teeth.
The verdict
If you crave psychologically intense coming-of-age stories that make you squirm with discomfort and appreciate deliberate pacing that builds genuine dread, this is essential viewing. If you prefer lighter teen dramas or need constant plot momentum to stay engaged, you'll find this slow-burn anxiety exercise more punishing than rewarding.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum psychological impact
- ⚠️ Skip if you have social anxiety triggers
Heads up
- Intense bullying and social cruelty (frequent)
- Panic attacks and anxiety spirals (moderate)
- Psychological torment of a minor (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Charlie Polinger
- Cast
- Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Joel Edgerton, Kenny Rasmussen, Lucas Adler, Caden Burris, Elliott Heffernan
Official synopsis
A socially awkward tween endures the ruthless hierarchy at a water polo camp, his anxiety spiraling into psychological
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Perfect Blue (1998)
Both explore psychological deterioration through intense social pressure and anxiety.
Total runtime: 1h 38m + 1h 22m = 3h 0m
