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Extracurricular

Extracurricular (2020)

Jan 17, 2020 1h 31m Horror Thriller

Miriam, Derek, Ian, and Jenny are overachieving high school students doing everything by the book. Straight A's, sports, yearbook, band, and - when coursework allows - planning and executing elaborate murders.

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Directed by Ray Xue

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Ray Xue
Writer
  • Matthew Abrams
  • Padgett Arango
Producer
  • Julien Favre
  • Chris Abernathy
  • Sean Thomas

Reviews

Kamurai
7/10

Really good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

There really aren't enough movies where the villains are the protagonist.

These are all awful characters that are also killers so it's hard to root for them. I can't tell if it is poor performance from the actors or badly written characters, but this is clearly written by someone with a love of true crimes and tactical assessment.

It is really impressive with the work put in to make the planned executions believable and how twisted the events get.

Feb 24, 2021

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Thematic Analysis

This Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Extracurricular presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Ray Xue brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Extracurricular took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 132 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The musical score contains over 37 unique compositions.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.

Historical Context

  • In 2020, when this film is released:
  • Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
  • Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: January 17, 2020
  • Runtime: 1h 31m

Where to Watch

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads

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