🪶 Story & Synopsis
In the dramatic thriller “Deadly Scholars,” Samantha Hodges, a dedicated high school journalist, finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and danger as she investigates the deaths of two classmates competing for a prestigious scholarship. Alongside her friends Nate, Gillian, and Rudy, Samantha delves into a sinister plot that unravels the hidden ambitions and dark secrets within their seemingly idyllic circle.
Gillian Brady, portrayed by Alexa Mansour, emerges as the deceptive and cunning antagonist of the story. Initially perceived as the supportive best friend of Samantha and Nate, Gillian’s true intentions come to light as her obsessive love for Nate drives her to orchestrate a series of deadly events to ensure his success in securing the scholarship. The intricate dynamics of friendship, ambition, and betrayal set the stage for a thrilling narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
As Samantha navigates the treacherous waters of her investigation, she uncovers layers of deceit and manipulation that challenge her perceptions of trust and loyalty. With the stakes escalating and the truth becoming increasingly elusive, Samantha must confront the darkness lurking beneath the facade of academic excellence and camaraderie.
Directed by Danny J. Boyle, “Deadly Scholars” delves into the complexities of teenage relationships and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their desires. With a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes, the film captures the tension and suspense of a high school setting where ambition turns deadly and alliances are tested.
Featuring a talented cast including Corey Fogelmanis, Kennedy Lea Slocum, and Peyton Clark, the movie weaves a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue that culminates in a shocking revelation. As Samantha races against time to uncover the truth behind the scholarship competition, she must confront the ultimate betrayal that threatens to shatter the bonds of friendship forever.
🧑 Cast & Crew
Kennedy Lea Slocum, Corey Fogelmanis, Alexa Mansour, Peyton Clark, Sheryl Lee, Sherri Saum, Eric Stanton Betts, Paris Berelc, Pedro Correa, Alissa Latow
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Sheryl Lee | Emily Hodges |
| Paris Berelc | Brittany |
| Kennedy Lea Slocum | Samantha |
| Corey Fogelmanis | Nate |
| Peyton Clark | Rudy |
| Sherri Saum | Not Available |
| Peyton Clark | Not Available |
💬 Reviews and feedback
Welcome to the Deadly Scholars Movie Review!
Have you ever been in a situation where you expected a gourmet meal but ended up with a lukewarm TV dinner instead? That’s precisely the experience I had while watching Deadly Scholars. This movie is like that one student in class who tries so hard to impress everyone but falls flat on their face every time.
Let’s start with the script and dialogue. It’s as if the writers took inspiration from a broken record, repeating clichés and tired lines throughout the film. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it cringe-worthy at best. It’s like listening to nails on a chalkboard for an hour and a half.
The costuming didn’t fare any better. Instead of enhancing the characters’ personalities, it felt like they raided a thrift store from the ’80s and called it a day. The costumes were distracting and added nothing to the already struggling plot.
Now, let’s talk about the acting – or should I say, attempting to act. The performances were as lifeless as zombies in a B-grade horror movie. It’s like watching cardboard cutouts try their hand at emoting, leaving me wondering if they attended an acting workshop or stumbled onto the set by accident.
The identity of the killer was about as surprising as finding out that water is wet. It was so painfully obvious from the get-go that I spent more time waiting for the characters to catch up than actually being invested in the story. And when the reveal finally happened, it was more yawn-inducing than jaw-dropping.
As for pacing, this movie could give a snail a run for its money. It dragged on longer than an endless Monday morning meeting when all you want is coffee and your bed. The plot twists were predictable, and by the time they arrived, I had already lost interest.
Despite its flaws, Deadly Scholars did have one redeeming quality – its relatability factor. The struggles of trying to be perfect students resonated with many viewers, adding a touch of realism to an otherwise far-fetched storyline.
- Binge-Watching Tip: If you decide to watch Deadly Scholars, grab some friends along for some Mystery Science Theater 3000-style commentary. Laughter might be your only saving grace!
In conclusion, Deadly Scholars is like that forgotten homework assignment you stumble upon months later – disappointing and forgettable.
Rating: 3/10
Remember, even in cinematic disappointments like this one, there’s always room for laughter and shared experiences!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Interesting premise | Weak script |
| Relatable conflict | Terrible dialogue |
| Decent thriller elements | Bad costuming |
| Mediocre acting | |
| Predictable killer’s identity | |
| Slow pacing towards the reveal |
Feedback
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Deadly Scholars (2018) - IMDb
SPONSOREDSamantha is a serious journalist, both for the school paper and for the yearbook, but she’s just as serious about her friends, Nate, Gillian, and Rudy, all of whom are vying with her for a f… Read allSamantha is a serious journalist, both for the school paper and for the yearbook, but she’s just as serious about her friends, Nate, Gillian, and Rudy, all of whom are vying with her for a full-ride local scholarship to college.Samantha is a serious journalist, both for the school paper and for the yearbook, but she’s just as serious about her friends, Nate, Gillian, and Rudy, all of whom are vying with her for a full-ride local scholarship to college.SPONSORED
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Deadly Scholars - Review | Netflix Thriller #SquadGoals | Heaven of Horror
Deadly Scholarsis a new thriller on Netflix that also goes by the title #SquadGoals. It’s better than expected for the most part but the ending is such an anticlimax. It’s simply too cheesy and obvious. On Netflix in the US now!
Deadly Scholarsis a new thriller on Netflix that was quite a bit better than expected. For a long time, I found myself intrigued by the plot and characters. Unfortunately, the ending is such a letdown.The movie has also been known as#SquadGoalsand was produced by the company that makes a lot of Lifetime movies. They also produced the moviesDeadly SwitchandOnly Minewhich were released on Netflix recently. Especially the latter was pretty good!
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Watch #Squadgoals (2018) - Free Movies | Tubi
#Squadgoals
School paper reporter Samantha is in a race against time to find the killer targeting finalists for a college scholarship before they come after her.Subtitles: EnglishDirected by:Danny J. Boyle
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Deadly Scholars (2018) - Plot - IMDb
Ambitious high school senior Samantha Hodges is a serious journalist, both for the school paper and for the yearbook, but she’s just as serious about her friends, Nate, Gillian, and Rudy, all of whom are vying with her for a full-ride local scholarship to college. Very close to her mother, Emily, who is the school’s guidance counselor, Samantha finds her reporting taking an investigative turn when two of her classmates–and contenders for the scholarship–are murdered.
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Deadly Scholars (2018) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
Deadly Scholars (2018)Full Cast & CrewDirected by
Danny J. Boyle Writing Credits
Caron Tschampion … (written by) Cast (in credits order)
Sheryl Lee … Emily Hodges Paris Berelc … Brittany Kennedy Lea Slocum … Samantha Corey Fogelmanis … Nate Peyton Clark … Rudy Alexa Mansour … Gillian Sherri Saum … Principal Pope Eric Stanton Betts … Lance Pedro Correa … Jordan Alissa Latow … Angela Michele Panu … Paula Chelsea Switzer … Miss Desai Bettina Devin … Mrs. Perkins Josh Decker … Detective Rest of cast listed alphabetically: Kevyn Bashore … High School Teacher (uncredited) Jim Jepson … Officer Jepson (uncredited) Produced by
Steven Hawthorne … associate producer Kami Norton … line producer Stephanie Slack … executive producer Stan Spry … producer Fernando Szew … executive producer Carla Woods … executive producer Eric Scott Woods … producer (as Eric Woods) Cinematography by
Stephen Tringali … director of photography Editing by
Andrew Henry Casting By
Paul Ruddy Production Design by
Marcel Victor Prefontaine Art Direction by
Mark Ilvedson Costume Design by
Bo Roses Makeup Department
Jacqueline Holden … makeup department head Veronica Rodarte … makeup artist Maryann Yee … key makeup artist Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Brad Highland … second assistant director Travis Huff … first assistant director Art Department
Armin Hayrapetian … property master Ron Mileti … graphic designer Alfonso Ramirez … property master Sound Department
Rob Embrey … post sound coordinator Sean Evans … dialogue editor / sound effects editor Jacob Ortiz … adr mixer Stunts
Benjamin Easterday … action coordinator Camera and Electrical Department
Tanner Johnson … electrician Nick Krawiec … grip and electric swing Jenny Roh … second assistant camera: additional Rob Snyder … first assistant camera Amber Waller … still photographer Casting Department
Mario E. Garcia … law enforcement casting Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bo Roses … costumer Editorial Department
Luke Cahill … colorist Melinda Wells McCabe … post production supervisor Music Department
Shimira Grace Durgah … composer assistant Corey Allen Jackson … score producer (as Corey A Jackson) Script and Continuity Department
Melanie Lavender … script supervisor Tim Wrobel … script supervisor: additional Additional Crew
Itai Forman … production assistant Jessa Gordon … key set production assistant Callie McKimpson … production assistant KJ Sadural … production assistant
⚠️ Explanation (Spoiler)
In “Deadly Scholars,” also known as “#SquadGoals,” we follow a high school reporter investigating a series of mysterious deaths targeting students eligible for a prestigious scholarship. The movie, a drama thriller, keeps viewers intrigued with its plot and characters until the ending, which many found disappointing due to its cheesiness and predictability.
The script for “Deadly Scholars” was penned by Caron Tschampion, known for working on the TV series “Halt and Catch Fire.” The film was directed by Danny J. Boyle, not to be confused with the Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. Boyle has a history of directing drama thrillers, like “Cheerleader Nightmare” and “The Stranger Inside.”
The cast includes Sheryl Lee, Paris Berelc, and Kennedy Lea Slocum. Despite the misleading horror-like titles, “Deadly Scholars” and other similar movies by Boyle are more drama thrillers than horror. This distinction is essential for managing viewers’ expectations.
The movie, released on Netflix in 2019, received mixed reviews. While some appreciated the engaging story and character development, others were let down by the anticlimactic ending. If you’re into teen horror movies, you might want to explore other options like “The Detained” for a more satisfying experience.
Overall, “Deadly Scholars” offers a decent watch with its intriguing premise and character-driven narrative, albeit with a divisive ending that leans towards melodrama.
👪 Parents Guide & Age Rating
TV-14
Age Rating:
This movie is rated TV-14 in the United States. It is recommended for viewers aged 14 and above.
Parental Guide:
Violence & Gore:
- A boy convulses and is killed from a peanut allergy from a girl’s lipstick. He is shown with vomit and foam coming from his mouth.
- A girl presumably falls out of a two-story window. As the kids run outside, we see the girl dead with a pool of blood around her head.
- A girl stabs another girl in the side.
- A girl cuts a boy’s arm and a girl’s thigh. A boy hits a girl in the face with a large camera. A girl also hits a girl on the head with a wooden stick (all in one scene).
Profanity:
- Mild profanity is present throughout the movie.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking:
- A party is thrown, and teens are presumably drinking liquor.
Frightening & Intense Scenes:
- There are a few scenes where intense music is played in intense situations.
Overall, “Deadly Scholars” contains scenes of violence, mild profanity, and references to alcohol consumption. It may not be suitable for children under 14 years old due to the depicted violence and intense themes.
📺 Streaming and where to watch
| streaming service | extra information |
|---|---|
| Netflix | Deadly Scholars is not available on an ad-supported plan due to licensing restrictions on Netflix. |
| Tubi | You can watch Deadly Scholars on Tubi with English subtitles. The movie is a thriller and drama about a school paper reporter investigating a killer targeting finalists for a college scholarship. |
❝ Quotes and Cult
Best friends do extraordinary things for each other.
My idea was to just get Brittany wasted and then make an anonymous call to police that she was driving drunk. But you know what? When that entitled, pretentious whore just sat there whining on the window sill, after all that she's been given, she just had to go.
🤖Deadly Scholars Reddit Talks
Deadly Scholars, also known as #SquadGoals, is a 2018 thriller film directed by Danny J. Boyle and starring Sheryl Lee, Paris Berelc, Kennedy Lea Slocum, and Corey Fogelmanis. The film follows Samantha, a serious journalist, who investigates a series of murders at her high school.
The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its suspenseful atmosphere and well-developed characters, while others criticizing its predictable plot and lack of originality. However, the film has been a hit with audiences, who have praised its fast-paced action and relatable characters.
Here are some of the topics that have been discussed on Reddit about Deadly Scholars:
- The film’s suspenseful atmosphere: Many Reddit users have praised the film’s suspenseful atmosphere, saying that it kept them on the edge of their seats throughout the entire film.
- The well-developed characters: Another common praise for the film is its well-developed characters. Reddit users have said that they found the characters to be relatable and believable, and that they cared about what happened to them.
- The predictable plot: However, some Reddit users have criticized the film’s predictable plot, saying that they could see the ending coming from a mile away.
- The lack of originality: Other Reddit users have criticized the film’s lack of originality, saying that it feels like a rehash of other teen slasher films.
Overall, Deadly Scholars is a suspenseful and well-acted thriller that is sure to please fans of the genre. However, those looking for an original or groundbreaking film may be disappointed.
Top discussions
- https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/10k4wfc/i_cant_remember_the_name_of_this_horror_movie/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/asgm8l/deadly_detention_literally_the_worst_movie_ive/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/NetflixBestOf/comments/17jjzow/request_darkest_most_disturbing_documentaries/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/17ebnx3/horror_movies_you_cant_take_seriously_or_were/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/saltburn/comments/18pq98n/i_cant_get_over_how_misunderstood_this_movie_is/
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the killer in Deadly Scholars?
The killer in Deadly Scholars is Gillian Brady, portrayed by Alexa Mansour. Gillian Brady is the hidden main villainess in the movie, and the reveal of her role adds a twist to the storyline.
What is the main plot of Deadly Scholars?
Deadly Scholars follows the story of Samantha Hodges, a serious journalist investigating the deaths of two classmates competing for a prestigious university scholarship. As the plot unfolds, Samantha’s investigative reporting takes a dark turn as she delves deeper into the mysterious deaths.
What are viewers saying about the acting in Deadly Scholars?
Viewers have criticized the acting in Deadly Scholars, describing it as overly bad and featuring stiff, cardboard-cutout performances from the cast. The mediocre acting has been highlighted as one of the drawbacks of the movie.
Why was the identity of the killer considered obvious in Deadly Scholars?
In Deadly Scholars, the identity of the killer, Gillian Brady, was considered pathetically obvious by viewers due to the lack of subtlety in the hints and clues provided throughout the movie. The reveal of the killer was uninspired, contributing to the overall disappointment experienced by the audience.
🔀 Recommended Movie and TV Show
Here is a list of movies and TV shows similar to “Deadly Scholars”:
- She’s the Man: A teenage romantic comedy about mistaken identity and soccer.
- Pretty Stoned: A mystery thriller involving secrets and deception.
- A Sister’s Nightmare: A suspenseful drama about family secrets and betrayal.
- Today As I Run: A mystery thriller with unexpected twists and turns.
- Correspondence: A psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships.
- Laura Palmer: A mystery drama centered around a puzzling murder case.
- Squad Goals: A high school mystery thriller involving students investigating a scholarship competition.
- Earthtastrophe: A sci-fi thriller with catastrophic events threatening Earth.
Wallpapers & Media
🔥 Audience Trends
