Runt is an emotionally devastating film-clouds hang over it from the very first scene, and you keep waiting for a sliver of light to break through. But that moment never comes. It's a bleak, relentless look at bullying, mental health, and the destruction caused when cruelty is ignored.
The film shows how unchecked bullying can push even the kindest person past their breaking point. Cameron Boyce, in one of his final roles, delivers a haunting performance as Cal. You can feel his pain as he's tormented day after day by the school's star football players, and what makes it worse is the way everyone else just turns a blind eye. The system enables it. Teachers, peers, even the community refuse to confront it.
Aramis Knight as Vic is another standout. Normally, I don't associate him with playing villains, so seeing him embody this cruel, violent bully was shocking-and a little hard to stomach, which is a testament to how well he pulled it off. And then there's the girl nicknamed "Homeschool," who suffers one of the most horrifying forms of bullying imaginable. Her trauma, like Cal's, is dismissed and ignored, which makes it even more gut-wrenching to watch.
The ending lives up to the title-it's brutal, tragic, and leaves you shaken. This isn't the kind of movie you throw on for casual viewing. It's the kind of story that forces you to sit with it afterward, thinking about how many real lives echo what you just saw on screen.
I recommend Runt, but only if you're prepared for the emotional weight it carries. It's not just a sad movie-it's a stark reminder of how dangerous unchecked cruelty can be, and how important it is to take mental health seriously.
Final Verdict: Heavy, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. A powerful showcase of how bullying destroys lives.
