The Faculty

In the small town of Herrington, Pennsylvania, the students of Herrington High School are about to uncover a sinister secret that threatens to destroy their very way of life. The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is a sci-fi horror film that revolves around a group of high school students who begin to notice strange occurrences and behaviors from their teachers. The story centers around Casey Connor (Elijah Wood), a shy and introverted student who becomes the de facto leader of a group of friends, including Delilah Profitt (Jena Malone), Stokely Mitchell (Shawn Hatosy), Heath Lolly (Daniel von Bargen), Marybeth Louise Hutchinson (Laura Harris), and Zeke Branson (Cory Feldman). This diverse group of students is initially unaware of the supernatural forces at play, but as the days pass, they begin to notice bizarre and inexplicable changes in their teachers' behavior. At first, the transformations are subtle. Mr. Turlington (Dan Hedaya), the school's janitor, starts wearing expensive suits and acting like a wealthy businessman. Meanwhile, Ms. Louisa 'Ms. Lou' Clance (Julianna Margulies) becomes obsessed with her appearance, displaying an unnatural beauty and charisma. As the students dig deeper, they discover that each teacher is undergoing a transformation, but not just in a physical sense. The teachers are indeed being possessed by an alien entity, one that has been living among them for years. The aliens, who appear to be some sort of parasitic invader, manipulate and subdue the teachers, using their bodies to gather intelligence on the students and the school. As the group delves deeper into the mystery, they must also confront their own personal demons and relationships. Casey has an unrequited crush on Delilah, who is increasingly drawn to the strange and seductive charms of Mr. Turlington, now rebranded as 'Zeffer' after a drastic transformation. Meanwhile, the school's social hierarchy is upended as the teachers' transformation accelerates, leading to both chaos and fascination from the students. The Faculty is a classic tale of the "other" – in this case, an alien force that infiltrates and manipulates the familiar world of high school. The film's exploration of the "other" is particularly relevant in today's world, where we are increasingly confronted with the "unknown" as a result of technological advancements and global interconnectedness. The film's script was co-written by Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon and takes significant influence from the likes of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and 'The Stepford Wives.' While it may feel dated in some aspects, The Faculty holds up well as a sci-fi horror film that combines thrills, horror, and teen angst, creating a fascinating study of the teenage psyche. Casey and his friends eventually realize that the alien parasite's weakness lies in its reliance on technology to control the host bodies. Using this knowledge, they concoct a plan to infiltrate the school's electronics and broadcast a high-frequency signal to dislodge the alien's control over the teachers. In the climax, the students successfully execute their plan, leading to a spectacular showdown with the alien-possessed teachers. As the alien's hold is broken, the teachers return to their normal selves, freed from the alien's influence. The Faculty ends on a hopeful note, with the students reflecting on their harrowing experience and the lessons they've learned from it. As Casey and Delilah share a tender moment, it's clear that the film has been as much about their personal growth as it has about the battle against an otherworldly threat. Directed on a modest budget, The Faculty proves to be a thought-provoking and thrilling sci-fi horror film that explores the darker corners of high school life. While the movie may seem campy in some aspects, its themes of self-discovery, rebellion, and the fear of the "other" continue to resonate with audiences today.