Boarding School (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Boarding School is a 2018 horror film directed by Boaz Yakin, starring Luke Prael as Jacob Felsen, David Aaron Baker and Samantha Mathis. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $7,438 worldwide. Critics gave it 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Boaz Yakin
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Momentum Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Boarding School About?
The premise of Boarding School without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Jacob Felsen finds himself in a terrifying situation when he's sent to a secluded boarding school. Surrounded by six troubled students and two unsettling teachers, he must confront a living nightmare. As he tries to understand the school's dark secrets, Jacob’s deepest fears begin to manifest, blurring the line between reality and a horrifying vision. He soon realizes escaping this place might be more difficult than he ever imagined.
Boarding School Themes & Keywords
· 44 tags- cross dressing
- boarding school
- death
- presumed suicide
- stepfather stepson relationship
- stepfather
- child
- burned face
- boy in drag
- reincarnation
- horrible
- threat
+32 more Show fewer
- caning
- bare chested boy
- barefoot boy
- boy
- girl
- 12 year old
- 12 year old boy
- boy wears grandmother's clothes
- boy humiliated by girl
- boy in girl's clothes
- boy in pajamas
- ghost
- nightmare
- child sees a ghost
- boy sees ghosts
- death of relative
- murder for hire
- boy wears a dress
- friendship
- stars
- teenage boy undresses
- fire
- nude boy
- teenage boy nudity
- underage boy
- boy walks nude through fire
- nude young male
- male nudity
- male rear nudity
- bare chested male
- nudity
- boy rear nudity
Boarding School Cast & Characters
Luke Prael leads the cast as Jacob Felsen, with David Aaron Baker as Davis and Samantha Mathis as Isabel. Directed by Boaz Yakin; 20 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Boaz Yakin
- Luke Prael as Jacob Felsen
-
David Aaron Baker as Davis -
Samantha Mathis as Isabel -
Will Patton as Dr. Sherman
Also Starring in Boarding School
· 16 more- Tammy Blanchard Mrs. Sherman
- Charlotte Ubben Mrs. Holcomb
- Kobi George Lenny
- Kadin George Calvin
- Nadia Alexander Phil
- Christopher Dylan White Frederic
- Robert John Burke Mr. Holcomb
- Sterling Jerins Christine Holcomb
- Owen Zamsky Rupert Holcomb
- Barbara Kingsley Tsipi Landau
- Lucy Walters
- Stephen Bogardus Phil's Father
- Matthew Miniero Zachary
- Michael Wikes Rabbi
- Nicholas J. Oliveri
- Sonya Balsara
More from Boaz Yakin
More films directed by Boaz Yakin, best-rated first: Fresh, Remember the Titans, Aviva and Safe.
Boarding School Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Boarding School 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Boarding School Echo Score Breakdown
Boarding School presents a distinctive vision that is undermined by uneven execution. Critics frequently note the film’s originality and surreal presentation, yet they criticize its slow pacing and strained narrative coherence. Performances by the young cast receive mixed responses, with some praise for the lead’s nuanced portrayal offset by remarks of uneven child acting. The film’s dark atmosphere and thematic ambition generate interest, but inconsistencies in tone and momentum limit its overall impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of visual craft, the film combines moments of striking surreal imagery with a deliberate, measured pace. Critics highlight the production’s nightmarish set design and cohesive genre tonality, while also noting that the direction’s slower rhythm inhibits suspense buildup. The editing and framing contribute to a dreamlike atmosphere, but uneven momentum undercuts narrative drive.
- Character & Emotion 50
When it comes to character portrayal, responses are varied. The lead performance receives praise for its nuanced emotional depth, and some reviewers find the adolescent perspective compelling. However, the supporting child performances are described as uneven and occasionally distract from the script. Overall, character dynamics engage at moments but lack consistent resonance.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of narrative flow, the film exhibits imaginative themes but struggles with coherence. Reviewers cite an intriguing central concept and a payoff that rewards attentiveness, yet they criticize the script’s implausible elements and predictable turns. The pacing is deliberate, which some interpret as tension-building but others view as sluggish. Overall, the story is inventive but uneven in execution.
- Sensory Experience 65
In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a dark and unsettling atmosphere. Reviewers note an effective use of sound design and an atmospheric score that heightens dreamlike tension. The visual style employs a muted palette and gothic motifs to reinforce the mood, though some find it overly surreal. Overall, the sensory elements immerse viewers but may feel discomfiting.
- Rewatch Factor 50
When it comes to rewatch value, opinions are divided. Some viewers appreciate the film’s thematic depth and report that subsequent viewings clarify its symbolic elements. Others find the uneven pacing and narrative inconsistencies limit enjoyment on repeat. The unique atmosphere invites curiosity, yet the structural flaws may reduce lasting appeal for many.
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IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 33% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 61%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
User score 5.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 82% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
3 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Boarding School Plot Summary
What happens in Boarding School from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Jacob Rathbone, a 12-year-old boy grappling with a profound fear of darkness, lives with his stepfather, Davis and his mother, Isabel. The constant strain of his distressing night terrors leaves Isabel feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. After an incident where Jacob is discovered dancing in his late grandmother’s dress, he faces bullying at school, resulting in suspension. Consequently, he is sent to a boarding school in the wilderness, run by the quirky couple, Dr. Sherman and Mrs. Sherman.
Full summary
The whole story of Boarding School, scene by scene
Boarding School Box Office
Boarding School grossed $7,438 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.4K
- International
- $7.4K
How Well Do You Know Boarding School?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Jacob Rathbone's fear that affects his life?
Cars in Boarding School
2 cars on screen: the 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis and the Volvo unknown.
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1998 Mercury Grand Marquis Minor role -
Volvo unknown Minor role
Boarding School Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “O Internato” and “L'Internat”.
- Also known as
-
- O Internato
- L'Internat
- Škola straha
- Το οικοτροφείο
- Kollégium
- Пансион
- 보딩 스쿨: 기숙학교
- Internat
- 寄宿学校
- 詭學院
- Internatinė mokykla
- El Internado
Seen Boarding School?
Movies Like Boarding School
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Dorm, School of Fear and Boardinghouse.
Boarding School FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Boarding School, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Boarding School?
Boarding School runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Boarding School released?
Boarding School was released on August 31, 2018.
Who directed Boarding School?
Boarding School was directed by Boaz Yakin.
More films by Boaz Yakin Who is in the cast of Boarding School?
Boarding School stars Luke Prael as Jacob Felsen, David Aaron Baker as Davis and Samantha Mathis as Isabel, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Boarding School make at the box office?
Boarding School grossed $7,438 worldwide.
How is Boarding School rated?
Boarding School has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, 45 on Metacritic and 82% on TMDB.
Does Boarding School have a post-credit scene?
No. Boarding School has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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