Bad Apples is a wild ride; one I was completely unexpecting. Having read only the brief synopsis before screening it at Tiff, I was anticipating a "teacher manages to connect to troubled student" story. If nothing else, I knew I could at least expect an enjoyable time with Saoirse Ronan playing the lead. What unfolded was absolutely not on my radar. Well, aside from my prediction that Ronan's performance would be stellar.
So let's start with her portrayal as Maria, or "Miss" as her elementary students call her. She's a young, kind, idealistic teacher who loves her class and is passionate about her underappreciated profession. Unfortunately, the class has a troublemaker, Danny, played by Eddie Waller, who manages to go full tilt insane in this role.
Because he's not just a troublemaker, he's pure, unadulterated evil. I have never hated a character as much in the first ten minutes of a film as this kid. He literally throws the teacher's pet Pauline (Nia Brown) over a banister, breaking her arm. He's foul-mouthed and uncontrollable. He could easily attack a teacher and they would get in trouble. Even his own father distances himself. Naturally, his behavior is disruptive to the class, and even the whole school. Yet, the underfunded school admin turns a blind eye, refusing to intervene, pawning off any disciplinary actions to Maria. And when she attempts intervention, she's accused of being the problem.
This set-up was painful to watch. Okay, I get it already...he's a really Bad Apple. How will this poor teacher manage to reach into his soul and find goodness? How will she find a way to connect to this monster? And then an event happens that changes everything I was expecting and turns the movie into a hilarious, dark, satirical, cynical, and uncomfortable ride.
It's difficult to discuss without spoilers; this is indeed one of those films that is juiciest knowing as little as possible before watching. Very broadly, Danny disappears and immediately the school's faculty and the parents are quick to blame Maria. But only in a performative way. Life really is so much better for everyone without a demon child mucking things up.
In a series of bad timing and bad decisions, things spiral out of control for Maria. Just when I thought it couldn't get any more crazy, the story doubles down on its twists, each more jaw-dropping than previous. It was about halfway through the movie when the plural title made sense. This is about how one "bad apple" can spoil the whole crop.
The film drips with moral ambiguity. Even the insufferable teacher's pet Pauline. While Danny is an untamed beast, she exhibits top tier deviousness. Her refined manipulation of adults is off the charts. He represents a street-level thug, but she's destined for a career in corporate crime. Sure, she got her arm broken by Danny, buuut...on the other hand, well, you know.
Everyone is complicit. From parents who are quick to pass judgement on others and breed children who lack any form of empathy, to an educational system that ties the hands of educators and penalizes those who rock the boat.
By the end of the movie you will be faced with a lot of questions and you may not like the mirror it's holding up. But keep in mind, this is a biting, extremely funny, highly entertaining film with fantastic performances from Ronan (as always) and Eddie Waller as the spawn of Satan. It's rare to see a child actor take on a performance with this intensity, especially as the heavy. The script is tight and there wasn't a moment where it lagged. It's just a blast to see the bonkers turns it takes.
Bad Apples is disturbing and you may feel a little guilty about feeling smug satisfaction in some of its darker moments. But who hasn't fantasized about a little revenge on horrible people? Wait, you don't judge other people...do you?
