The School 2018

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film showcases impressive production design, makeup, and costume work that create a distinctive, graffiti‑streaked school environment. However, reviewers point out frequent lighting deficiencies and choppy editing that undermine visual cohesion. While certain set pieces receive praise for atmospheric impact, the overall technical execution is uneven, resulting in a mixed assessment of its artistic merit.

Character & Emotion

When evaluating character and emotion, the movie delivers a few notable performances, particularly from the lead actress and Will McDonald, who are described as compelling and occasionally mesmerizing. Conversely, many child actors are criticized for stilted delivery and over‑acting, and overall chemistry is seen as uneven. This blend of strong and weak portrayals leads to a moderate rating for the film’s character work.

Story & Flow

The narrative structure suffers from confusion and pacing issues, with several reviewers labeling the plot as derivative, clumsy, and difficult to follow, especially in its final third. Some praise is given for an original premise and occasional emotional moments, yet the story often drags and leaves key threads unresolved. Consequently, the film’s storytelling is assessed as below average.

Sensory Experience

The sensory experience is highlighted by strong set design, makeup, and costume work that create a vivid, gothic atmosphere, and occasional effective sound cues that support tension. Nonetheless, critics point out uneven lighting and subpar sound mixing that diminish immersion. The overall sensory impression is therefore a mix of striking visual moments tempered by technical inconsistencies.

Rewatch Factor

Rewatch potential is limited by a story that frequently loses focus and pacing that stalls in the middle, leading many viewers to consider the film tedious. However, the distinct visual style and occasional compelling scenes may attract genre enthusiasts for a second viewing. Overall, the film offers modest replay value, appealing mainly to a niche audience.