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Drama

Teacher (2019): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Teacher (2019) movie poster

Teacher is a 2019 drama directed by Adam Dick, starring David Dastmalchian as James Lewis, Kevin Pollak and Cedric Young. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
78
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Teacher (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Adam Dick
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Cinedigm
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Teacher About?

The premise of Teacher without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A high school teacher, James, takes a young student under his wing, finding himself increasingly protective of the vulnerable teenager. As he intervenes to defend the student from bullying, his actions escalate, leading him down a path where the line between safeguarding and obsession becomes dangerously blurred. The situation tests his principles and threatens to consume him.

Teacher Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • high school
  • high school corruption
  • jock
  • catfishing
  • revenge
  • sadistic bully
  • bullying victim
  • social satire
  • caring teacher
  • bullying
  • vigilantism
  • punching through a wall
+5 more
  • teacher student relationship
  • principal teacher relationship
  • corrupt principal
  • school bully
  • principal
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Cast & crew

Teacher Cast & Characters

David Dastmalchian leads the cast as James Lewis, with Kevin Pollak as Bernard Cooper and Cedric Young as Harold Olson. Directed by Adam Dick; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Teacher

· 6 more
Ratings

Teacher Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Teacher 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

78 /100

Teacher Echo Score Breakdown

Teacher excels as a tense and thoughtful thriller that effectively explores bullying through deliberate pacing and emotional intensity. Critics praised director Adam Dick’s confident debut, noting a propulsive narrative and provocative thematic undertones, while users highlighted the film’s raw examination of abuse cycles and nuanced performances. The low-budget production uniformly impressed with its resourceful craftsmanship despite some visual limitations. Overall, the film’s compelling tension and thematic resonance deliver a memorable viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and production design, Teacher demonstrates a confident vision that overcomes budgetary constraints. Critics noted Adam Dick’s assured pacing and editing choices that maintain tension, while some viewers observed that the cinematography and set design occasionally feel unadorned. Nevertheless, the film’s careful composition and purposeful camera work contribute to its overall craft strengths.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Teacher offers compelling performances that anchor its narrative. Users praised standout portrayals, particularly David Dastmalchian’s nuanced depiction, and critics highlighted the film’s ability to break the audience’s heart. While a few supporting roles felt less developed, the primary cast delivers a convincingly raw and empathetic journey overall.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Teacher unfolds with a slow-burning tension that some viewers find riveting and others find deliberate. Critics commended the film’s propulsive structure and provocative narrative about abuse cycles, while a few noted the ending felt slightly uneven. Overall, the story maintains originality and engagement through its measured escalation of conflict.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering the sensory experience, Teacher delivers an intense sound design and a stark visual style that reinforce its unsettling atmosphere. Users and critics both remarked on the film’s raw aesthetic and immersive soundscape, though some noted the score and visuals can feel minimal due to budget constraints. Ultimately, the cohesive tonal palette sustains the film’s tension.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, Teacher’s emotional intensity and thematic depth offer compelling reasons to revisit key sequences. Viewers appreciated the film’s nuanced exploration of abuse cycles, though the relentless tension and raw brutality may limit its appeal for repeat viewings. Nonetheless, its thoughtful construction and lingering thematic questions give the film lasting resonance.

Plot

Teacher Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Teacher from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Diana Watts, a dedicated high school English teacher in the heart of suburban Texas, finds herself ensnared in a deeply complicated and illegal affair with Eric Tull, one of her own students. The delicate dynamics of their relationship are kept under wraps within the classroom walls, creating a facade of professionalism while the weight of their secret looms heavily.

Full summary

The whole story of Teacher, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Teacher Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Teacher.

TEACHER // Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Teacher?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What subject does Diana teach at high school?

Cars

Cars in Teacher

23 cars on screen, including the 2004 Mercury Sable and the IC CE.

All 23 cars
  • 2004 Mercury Sable in Teacher 2004 Mercury Sable Main role
  • IC CE in Teacher IC CE Important role
  • 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W203 in Teacher 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W203 Important role
  • 2009 Chevrolet Traverse in Teacher 2009 Chevrolet Traverse Minor role
Details

Teacher Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “教师情事” and “Nauczycielka”.

Also known as
  • 教师情事
  • Nauczycielka
  • Учитель
  • Učitelka
  • 女教師
  • La Maestra (A Teacher)
  • 티쳐
  • Учителька
  • Mokytoja
  • המורה
  • Учител
  • A Teacher - Una storia sbagliata
+2 more
  • 女老師
  • O profesoară

Seen Teacher?

FAQ

Teacher FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Teacher, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Teacher?

Teacher runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Teacher released?

Teacher was released on August 2, 2019.

Who directed Teacher?

Teacher was directed by Adam Dick.

Who is in the cast of Teacher?

Teacher stars David Dastmalchian as James Lewis, Kevin Pollak as Bernard Cooper and Cedric Young as Harold Olson, among 10 credited actors.

How is Teacher rated?

Teacher has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Teacher have a post-credit scene?

No. Teacher has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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