This 97%-Fresh Movie Is the Best Coming-Of-Age Drama You Missed in Theaters in 2025

The Plague, Charlie Polinger's debut movie, received high praise and rave reviews after its screening in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival.

This small yet powerful drama quietly addressed one of the most painful aspects of growing up – school bullying.

What Is 'The Plague' About?

Twelve-year-old Ben arrives at a water polo camp. He quickly learns the cruel rules of this closed community when he witnesses the bullying of Eli, a quiet and withdrawn boy with a rash.

The other kids avoid him, mocking him and fearing they might "catch the plague." Initially sympathetic, Ben quickly succumbs to the fear of becoming an outcast himself, forcing him to join the bullies.

'The Plague' Is a Unique Mix of School Drama and Coming-of-Age Body Horror

The Plague is not only a drama about bullying, it is also an intense, almost physical thriller about power and vulnerability. Polinger uses horror techniques to convey the nightmare of growing up, including an unsettling soundtrack, abrupt movements, and close-ups of bodies and faces.

The entire visual aesthetic is built on shades of cool blue – the color of the pool, the showers, and the overall melancholy. This color scheme not only heightens the sense of unease, but also visualizes the chilling loneliness within the noisy group.

Corporality becomes a central topic – Eli's rash is a visible mark of the Other. According to the pack's logic, you can get "infected" simply by showing humanity.

'The Plague' Isn't a Manipulative Film – It Talks About Bullying Honestly and Sincerely

Despite the difficult subject matter, the first-time director, drawing on personal experience, avoids cheap emotional exploitation. His goal isn't to make viewers cry, but rather to clearly demonstrate the mechanisms of violence: its cyclical nature, the tacit approval of the majority, and its profound senselessness.

This is achieved through brilliant work with the young actors, whose performances are strikingly natural. Dialogue often gives way to eloquent glances, awkward gestures, and an oppressive silence in which one can hear the hum of one's own conscience.

Even the presence of the only adult, the coach played by Joel Edgerton (who also served as producer), provides no redemptive solution – it only emphasizes the teenagers' alienation.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Plague'?

• The Plague has 97% from critics and 65% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Plague scored 3.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Plague'?

The Plague had a limited theatrical release in 2025, but now it is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.