This Cult Sci-Fi Horror Has Only 57% on Rotten Tomatoes – But It Deserves All 100%

In 1998, Robert Rodriguez's movie, The Faculty, was initially met with a lukewarm reception. The Faculty tells the story of alien parasites taking over teachers' bodies and a group of high school misfits saving the world.

However, often overshadowed by the bigger hits of the late 90s, it remains a cult classic for a whole generation of viewers.

What Is 'The Faculty' About?

At Herrington High School, there's its own beauty queen, a bully, a nerd, a jock, a goth wallflower, and the new girl – and it's every man for himself.

One day, however, they notice that the teachers are acting strangely: they're changing their habits, losing their individuality, and becoming eerily uniform.

The culprits are alien parasites that have infiltrated the school and are gradually turning the population into a docile mass. The teenagers must band together to deal with the threat.

'The Faculty' Is a Perfect Symbiosis of Teen Drama and Science Fiction

Kevin Williamson, the writer of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, wrote the screenplay for The Faculty. Williamson took the formula of John Hughes' high school comedies and added an extraterrestrial threat to create a hybrid that works on several levels.

The aliens aren't just monsters – they're also symbols of a system that strives to make everyone the same. The transformed teachers embody the gray, gloomy world of adults.

The main characters, outsiders, geeks, and melancholy loners, confront not just aliens but also social pressure. Rodriguez, who has always sided with the outcasts, directs this story with genuine empathy for his characters.

Robert Rodriguez Made One of the Most Restrained and Mature Movies of His Career With 'The Faculty'

The director of From Dusk Till Dawn and Desperado takes an unexpectedly restrained approach here. Instead of his usual madness, he takes a nearly classic approach to the genre. Rodriguez isn't trying to shock, he's simply paying homage to the films he grew up with.

The visual effects, such as terrifying alien slugs that turn people into zombies, are crafted with a love of practical effects. The actors – future stars Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, and Jordana Brewster – deliver full-bodied performances.

And the soundtrack, featuring songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Oasis, sets the perfect mood.

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

• The Faculty has 58% from critics and 57% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

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

• On Letterboxd, The Faculty scored 3.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'The Faculty'?

The Faculty is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.