THE PLAGUE (2025) is an Adolescence Thriller about bullying. To some viewers, it will undoubtedly feel more like a straight-up psychological horror movie. It’s intense, scary, sad, heartbreaking, and feels entirely realistic. Absolutely mesmerising performances from the young cast. Read our full The Plague movie review here!
THE PLAGUE (2025) is a thriller with a coming-of-age story… or rather, horror story. This is equal parts adolescence thriller and psychological horror, which should leave a deep impact on anyone who watches it. Bullying and trauma will be familiar to many – whether as the direct victims or having experienced it from the sidelines.
In fact, if this story doesn’t hit some nerve with you, it’s time to take a look in the mirror and ask yourself why that is: You’re probably the villain of many other people’s stories! This movie focuses on teen (or almost teen) boys away at a summer camp, and the trailer gives you a good idea of the vibe you should expect.
Continue reading our The Plague movie review below. Find it in select theaters on December 24, 2025.
Welcome to summer camp… try to survive!
The Plague plays out at an all-boys water polo camp. Here, we meet Ben (the immensely talented Everett Blunck), who is obviously a very kind but also socially anxious twelve-year-old. Before long, Ben is pulled into a cruel tradition targeting an outcast.
The outcast is Eli, who has been targeted with an illness they call “The Plague”, but it appears to be a rash of some sort. Probably the result of being so much in the pool, full of hormones, and stressed out from being around these cruel little douchebags.
WATCH THIS IF YOU LIKED
The Netflix series Weak Hero Class or the horror-thriller Piggy >
We follow these barely-teens during their summer camp, where the lines between game and reality blur in sinister ways. Is it really a game, or could this plague be more real than Ben first realized? Leading the horror of bullying is Jake (a strong portrayal by Kayo Martin), and yes, you will want to see that little jerk punished.
What can I say, I have never liked bullies!
Trying to help these kids is the water polo coach (Joel Edgerton), who can’t watch them all the time, so the boys have a lot of downtime. And get into a lot of trouble. The vibe in this movie, set in 2003, is very recognizable and familiar. Both for the freedom and hope it presents for these kids, and the horror of looming adulthood.
The horror of teenagers
Being a teenager (or on the cusp of being a teenager) is awful enough without having to deal with other teenagers. Sure, your friends are okay, but there are always those douchebags that you want to avoid. The popular teens who build themselves up by tearing others down.
And most are afraid to fight back for fear of being the next target. Oh yeah, it’s very much what an entire world is living right now, and certain politicians, especially, who are afraid to speak out. Fortunately, like in this movie, there are also those who dare to speak up. However, rarely in public, so it’s more of an “undercover” support.
For a teenager, this is still worth something, though it doesn’t help enough.
In many ways, the hero of The Plague is Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), who is targeted with the awful plague. Eli reacts by doing whatever he wants, as everyone else is afraid of him, so he might as well just dance like no one is watching. Admittedly, Eli also has deep issues and probably a diagnosis in his future, but his courage is still admirable.
Including for our lead character Ben (AKA Sop or Soppy), as he doesn’t really want to go along with any of the bullying. He’s a vegetarian and doesn’t believe in harming others. However, most have a breaking point, and this also becomes obvious in Ben’s case.
Watch The Plague when you get the chance!
The Plague was written and directed by Charlie Polinger, and this is his feature film debut. An extremely powerful one that promises great things in the future. It’s easy to understand why Joel Edgerton wanted to be part of this project. Both as an actor and producer.
I don’t know what Charlie Polinger will do next, but I do know I’ll watch it. Not least to see what this filmmaker will get out of the next cast he works with. These young actors were certainly given ample opportunity to showcase their impressive talent. Come award season, they should get at least some nominations, but this movie may be too small.
Fortunately, it’s already been nominated for the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Nominations include Best Feature, Best Lead Performance for Everett Blunck, and Best Breakthrough Performance for Kayo Martin. Do not miss out on this intense adolescent thriller, but be ready for the horror of teenagers being cruel and relentless in their bullying.
The Plague (2025) is out in NY and LA theaters on December 24, 2026. It will expand to a wide release on January 2, 2026.
Details
Written & Directed by: Charlie Polinger
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen
Plot
In the summer of 2003, at an all-boys summer water polo camp, socially anxious twelve-year-old Ben struggles to fit in amidst a ruthless social hierarchy. When he befriends Eli – a lonely, acne-ridden outcast shunned by the others for allegedly carrying a contagious “plague” – Ben becomes entangled in a cruel, escalating ritual of scapegoating and fear. As the lines between teasing and real harm blur, Ben is forced to confront his own complicity and the terrifying cost of belonging.
📺 Watch trailer
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