What Is Assassination of a High School President About?
The premise of Assassination of a High School President in 359 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a restless suburban high school where hallway gossip feels like campaign rhetoric and every class seems to double as a pressure‑cooker, the everyday drama is amplified by the strange mix of politics, popularity, paranoia, and even pharmaceuticals. The campus hums with the same restless energy that fuels a nation’s headlines, making every secret feel like a potential scandal and every misstep a chance for public scrutiny. It’s a world where the line between teenage ambition and adult‑level intrigue blurs, setting the stage for a story that balances dark humor with tense, thought‑provoking moments.
Bobby Funke arrives as a sophomore with a fierce desire to prove himself as a journalist, dreaming of a coveted summer program at Northwestern. Though he fancies himself a talented writer, his track record is riddled with unfinished articles and missed deadlines, leaving him scrambling to meet the expectations of his mentor, Ms. Diaz, and the restless curiosity of his peers. Assigned to profile the charismatic student‑council president Paul Moore, a star athlete whose popularity seems untouchable, Bobby quickly discovers that accessing the inner circle is a lesson in both perseverance and navigating the subtle hierarchies of high school life.
When copies of the SAT are stolen from the principal’s office, the school erupts into a frenzy of speculation and fear. Bobby seizes the opportunity, launching an investigation that feels half‑school project, half‑real‑world reporting. His exposé—published in the school paper—places Paul squarely in the spotlight, turning a once‑admired leader into the subject of whispered doubts and widespread scrutiny. The resulting buzz catapults Bobby into a new realm of notoriety, testing his integrity and the weight of his newfound influence.
Amid the fallout, Bobby finds an unexpected ally in Francesca Facchini, Paul’s girlfriend, who offers insight and companionship that deepen his view of the unfolding drama. As their conversations hint at hidden motives and unseen pressures, Bobby begins to sense that the narrative he has crafted may only be the surface of a far more complicated reality. The film lingers on this tension, inviting the audience to wonder how far a determined student will go to uncover the truth beneath the glossy veneer of high‑school politics.
What Happens in Assassination of a High School President?
The complete story of Assassination of a High School President, from the first scene to the last, in 586 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Robert “Bobby” Funke is a struggling high school sophomore who dreams of attending Northwestern University’s summer journalism program. Despite his ambitions, he often struggles with completing assignments for his school newspaper, claiming he’s a talented writer even though he’s never finished an article. His teacher, Clara Diaz, assigns him to write a story on Paul Moore, the popular student council president and star basketball player. However, Funke finds it difficult to get any meaningful information from Paul and faces teasing and bullying from Paul’s friends, making his task even more challenging.
Things take a turn when Principal Kirkpatrick discovers that the school’s upcoming SAT booklets have been stolen from a secure safe in his office. He quickly questions some students, including Funke, but exonerates them. Despite their innocence, Kirkpatrick warns them to be cautious. Meanwhile, senior Francesca Facchini approaches Funke with a request for help in tracking down the stolen SATs. This marks a turning point as Funke’s curiosity and investigative instincts kick in.
As he digs deeper into the case, Funke uncovers a web of secrets and deception involving Paul Moore. His investigation leads him to believe that Paul might be connected to the theft, which he shares in an article for the school paper. When Principal Kirkpatrick forces Paul to open his locker, the stolen SATs are discovered, corroborating Funke’s suspicions. Consequently, Funke gains recognition and becomes one of the most popular students at school. His reputation is further solidified when Clara submits his article to Northwestern, earning him a scholarship for the summer program. This newfound respect allows Funke to gain peer admiration, including from Francesca, who later invites him to a school dance.
However, the situation becomes more complex when Paul approaches Funke, denying any involvement in the theft. Paul reveals that he’s already accepted into Cornell on a sports scholarship and claims he didn’t need the SATs. This makes Funke question whether he has been manipulated or used as a pawn in a bigger scheme. His suspicions lead him to investigate Paul’s associates, members of the student council. Funke uncovers that the council has been involved in stealing not only the SATs but other exams throughout the year. Their plan was to alter students’ test scores to boost their own standings and to sell “study drugs” to top students, fostering a culture of cheating and corruption.
Most shockingly, Funke discovers that Paul was not part of the scheme but was framed by the real mastermind, Marlon Piazza, who is also Francesca’s step-sibling and romantic partner. Marlon’s motivation was to protect himself from getting caught, while Francesca tried to mislead Funke to keep their secret safe. Confronting the student council in the principal’s office, Funke faces threats from Marlon, who warns he will throw Funke out the window and stage it as a suicide — a threat that Funke manages to record secretly via the school’s intercom system. As the truth comes out, Principal Kirkpatrick arrives to find the evidence and confront the culprits. Francesca initially tries to gain Funke’s trust, but her attempt fails, leaving her to face disciplinary actions.
Throughout the film, funny, tense, and thought-provoking moments explore themes of honesty, integrity, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Funke’s transformation from an underdog dreaming of recognition to a young man uncovering a system riddled with corruption provides a compelling story. His journey highlights how perseverance, curiosity, and courage can reveal the truth behind lies and deceit, especially within the often deceptive environment of high school life.
Assassination of a High School President Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Introduction of Robert 'Bobby' Funke” to “Resolution and Justice”.
- 1
Introduction of Robert 'Bobby' Funke
Bobby Funke is introduced as a less popular high school sophomore with aspirations to attend Northwestern University's summer journalism program. Despite claiming to be a talented writer, he has yet to complete an article for the school newspaper, highlighting his struggle to prove himself.
- 2
Assignment to Cover Paul Moore
The editor-in-chief Clara Diaz tasks Funke with writing an article on Paul Moore, the student council president and school basketball star. Funke attempts to gather a story but struggles as Paul avoids giving him any useful information and is bullied by his friends.
- 3
Discovery of Stolen SAT Booklets
Principal Kirkpatrick discovers that the upcoming SAT booklets have been stolen from his office safe. He suspects misfits, including Funke, and gathers them for questioning, although they are innocent of the theft.
- 4
Funke Investigates the Theft
With the help of senior Francesca Facchini, Funke begins investigating the stolen SATs. His efforts lead him to a discovery linking Paul to the theft, prompting Funke to write a revealing article about the incident.
- 5
Paul's Locker Is Forced Open
Principal Kirkpatrick compels Paul to open his locker, resulting in the SATs falling out and confirming Paul's involvement. This event boosts Funke's reputation and credibility among the students and staff.
- 6
Recognition and Scholarship
Funke's article earns him recognition and acceptance to Northwestern's summer program, earning him a scholarship. His newfound respect leads to stronger relationships with peers and staff, including Francesca, who invites him to a school dance.
- 7
Confrontation with Paul
Paul defends his innocence, claiming he had already been accepted to Cornell on a sports scholarship and did not need the SATs for his future. This causes Funke to doubt whether Paul is involved in the conspiracy or a victim.
- 8
Uncovering the Student Council's Crimes
Funke investigates further and uncovers that the student council, led by Marlon Piazza, is involved in a larger scheme involving test theft, drug dealing, and modifying student test scores. Paul was framed by Marlon to avoid detection.
- 9
Confrontation in Principal's Office
Funke confronts the student council members in the principal's office. Marlon threatens Funke and attempts to cover up their crimes, but Funke secretly activates the intercom to record his threats for evidence.
Where:Principal's Office
- 10
Marlon’s Threats Exposed
Marlon's threats and confession are broadcasted on the school's intercom, exposing the council members' involvement in the criminal activities. Principal Kirkpatrick rushes into the office, backing up Funke's findings.
Where:Principal's Office
- 11
Francesca’s Attempted Trust
Francesca tries to gain Funke's trust and justify her role in the scheme, but he rebuffs her. She faces punishment for her involvement, and her attempt to manipulate the situation is unsuccessful.
- 12
Resolution and Justice
The criminal activities of the student council are exposed, and justice is served. Funke solidifies his reputation as a truth-teller and gains respect from the school community, fulfilling his personal goals.
Who Are the Main Characters in Assassination of a High School President?
5 characters, among them Robert 'Bobby' Funke, Principal Kirkpatrick and Valerie Torres: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Robert 'Bobby' Funke
Played by John Magaro
A socially awkward but intelligent high school sophomore with big dreams of entering an elite university. His curiosity and determination drive him to uncover the truth behind the school's scandals, embodying persistence and moral integrity.
- 📝 Writer
- 🔎 Investigator
- 📚 Dreamer
-
Principal Kirkpatrick
Played by Bruce Willis
The authoritative school principal who is initially suspicious of Funke. He tries to maintain order and discipline within the school, but his frustrations reveal underlying issues of corruption and neglect.
- 🎓 Authority
- ⚖️ Teacher
- 🛡️ Protector
-
Valerie Torres
Played by Zoë Kravitz
Although not detailed in the summary, her character appears to be a student who might represent peer support or social dynamics within the school environment.
- 🎓 Student
- 🤝 Ally
-
Marlon Piazza
Played by Zachary Booth
A cunning student council leader who manipulates classmates and is involved in theft and drug dealing. He embodies the darker side of ambition and power among teenagers.
- 🤥 Manipulative
- 🐍 Cunning
- 🥷 Antagonist
-
Francesca Fachini
Played by Mischa Barton
A peer involved in the conspiracy, she tries to influence Funke and later faces punishment. Her character adds complexity to the school’s moral landscape.
- 🤝 Manipulative
- 😇 Conflicted
Where and When Is Assassination of a High School President Set?
Assassination of a High School President is set in High School (Contemporary (Present Day)). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary (Present Day)
The film takes place in the current era, showcasing modern school culture, technology, and student life. The story revolves around typical issues faced by high school students, including academics, peer relationships, and extracurricular pressures.
Where
High School
The movie is set in a typical American high school environment, a place where students learn, socialize, and participate in extracurricular activities like sports. It reflects the everyday experiences and social dynamics of teenage life in a school setting.
- 🎒 School
- 🏫 Educational
- 🏀 Sports
What Are the Themes of Assassination of a High School President?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Corruption, Justice and Truth and Ambition.
-
01
Corruption
The movie explores the theme of corruption within the school system, where student council members manipulate tests and grades for personal gain. It highlights issues of dishonesty, abuse of power, and moral compromise among youth.
-
02
Justice and Truth
The story centers around uncovering the truth behind the stolen SATs and drug dealing. It emphasizes the importance of integrity, investigative perseverance, and the quest for justice in a corrupt environment.
-
03
Ambition
Funke's journey from an underdog to a respected student illustrates themes of ambition and how perseverance can lead to recognition and success, despite initial setbacks and social rejection.
What Kind of Film Is Assassination of a High School President?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A steadily paced, tense teen thriller that balances investigative suspense with cynical humor as an underdog student reporter uncovers a web of corruption in his high school.
- tense
- suspenseful
- thought-provoking
- paranoid
- investigative
- underdog
- high school corruption
- investigative journalism
- framing an innocent
- academic cheating
Content notes: underage drinking.
Quiz
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Where to Watch Assassination of a High School President
Stream it on fuboTV and Plex. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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