The Faculty

The Faculty is a 1998 science-fiction horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Kevin Williamson. It tells the story of a group of high school students who discover that their teachers have been taken over by an alien species. It stars a talented cast including Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, and Salma Hayek. Let’s take a deeper look into this classic film.

The plot follows the lives of six students who attend Herrington High School in Ohio. Casey Connor (played by Elijah Wood) is a quiet and rebellious student who discovers a peculiar organism on the high school football field. Alongside his fellow alien conspiracists, Delilah (played by Jordana Brewster), Stan (played by Shawn Hatosy), Zeke (played by Josh Hartnett), Marybeth (played by Laura Harris), and Stokely (played by Clea DuVall), they investigate the strange occurrences of teachers acting strange.

As the movie progresses, the students piece together the alarming fact that their teachers have been taken over by parasitic aliens. The aliens, bent on world domination, plan to release a toxin that will transform the students into obedient slaves. However, the group of students discovers that there is no clear way to identify the alien-controlled teachers from their normal ones. As they face their enemies, they realize that their only hope is to destroy the alien queen.

The Faculty is a classic example of a sci-fi horror film, and it was one of the best of its time. The atmosphere, lighting, and camera techniques create a creepy tone throughout, adding to the overall suspense of the film. The use of special effects, including unique sound design, also increased the tension of the film. Moreover, the actors’ performances complemented the film’s exhilarating premise.

The Faculty, however, is not just a horror movie. It is a coming-of-age story that deals with the themes of high school relationships, social anxiety, rebellion, and survival. Strip away the science fiction elements, and The Faculty becomes a relatable story of real human conflicts: students vying for popularity, people struggling with identity issues, and students struggling to fit in.

The character development of the students is masterfully done, with each student having a distinctive personality that evolves throughout the film. We see Casey start out as a shy and unassertive student but eventually become the bravest and most tactical in the group. Delilah, the popular girl, starts as a mean girl, but throughout the film, formations into a realistic character who shares emotional depth with the others, becoming an integral part of the team. Lastly, Zeke, the troublemaker, completes his arc by putting his rebellious ways aside and becoming a hero. The supporting cast of actors, including Salma Hayek, who plays the school’s nurse, is also impressive.

In conclusion, The Faculty is an entertaining and effective horror movie that still stands the test of time. Though it is sprinkled with some of the tropes of other sci-fi horror films, it is still unique and masterfully executed. It also provides a personal struggle for each of the main characters, which is why viewers can connect with them. It is one of the best sci-fi horror movies ever made and is highly recommended for fans of the genre.