Directed by
Kyle Rankin
Zoe Hull, portrayed by Isabel May, is struggling to navigate the unforgiving terrain of high school life after the heart-wrenching loss of her mother, Jennifer. The bond with her father, Todd, played by Thomas Jane, has grown tenuous, leaving Zoe feeling isolated and unsupported. One fateful day on her way to school, she inadvertently stumbles upon a bizarre event involving Chris Jelick, portrayed by Britton Sear, who mischievously plants a mysterious device in a field, which Zoe brushes off as just another high school prank.
As the school day unfolds, her friend Lewis, played by Olly Sholotan, attempts to gather the courage to ask Zoe to prom, but she recoils in embarrassment after an accidental spill of her drink sends her rushing to the restroom for solace. Meanwhile, chaos erupts within the community as a series of explosive devices go off, drawing emergency services away from critical locations.
The situation escalates dramatically when a van crashes into the school cafeteria, bringing with it a group of armed intruders—Tristan Voy, played by Eli Brown, Chris Jelick, along with Anna Jelick, portrayed by Catherine Davis, and Kip Quade, played by Cyrus Arnold. As the orchestrator of the violent siege, Tristan commands his cohorts to start targeting students, but many find themselves trapped and overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers. In the midst of terror, Lewis takes charge of the school’s Facebook page to broadcast the unfolding horror live. Using her ingenuity, Zoe cleverly escapes through the bathroom ceiling, attempting to alert her classmates and guide them to safety.
Amidst the growing tension, Tristan tries to manipulate the school’s front office by falsely reporting the shooting, but the established protocols hinder his sinister intentions. The principal and the security guard rush to the scene, only to uncover that Tristan’s plot is a desperate bid for notoriety, which culminates when he coldly kills the principal, all while letting the unarmed guard slip away, mocking him for his lack of preparedness. The school then goes into lockdown as the gravity of the situation sinks in.
Sheriff Tarsy, played by Treat Williams, frantically attempts to manage the escalating crisis, but a devastating explosion claims the life of the first arriving officer. In the chaos, Anna begins to survey the wreckage while Zoe deduces that the shooters aim to enforce lockdown measures to isolate their victims further. Despite her best efforts to warn fellow students, Anna intercepts her, leading to a gripping confrontation where Zoe acts in self-defense, fatally wounding Anna with her own weapon.
Meanwhile, a police officer uncovers the grim scene at Tristan’s home—his mother has been brutally slain. As news spreads of the violence, Tristan basks in the notoriety spawned from the tragic events, rounding up students hiding in their classrooms. When Kip’s confession reveals the deep-rooted resentment that fueled his actions, stemming from past bullying, Zoe realizes the weight of the situation. She makes a crucial call to Sheriff Tarsy, planning a distraction to facilitate the students’ safe evacuation while maneuvering media coverage away from the school.
Yet, during a live discussion with Sheriff Tarsy, Tristan begins to sense Zoe’s deception and demands her immediate surrender, threatening to execute hostages every five minutes. In a bizarre turn of fate, Zoe returns to the remorseful Kip, convincing him to help set a trap for Tristan and Chris, leading to Kip’s tragic downfall amidst the chaos. As bullets fly, Zoe tends to an injured Lewis, confessing her long-hidden feelings for him, though her anxiety about the situation around them momentarily overshadows this revelation.
The cafeteria becomes a perilous battleground as Chris is poised to detonate an explosive-laden van, a plan foiled by Todd’s sharpshooting from outside. In a bold move, Zoe commandeers the livestream, declaring that her legacy will overshadow Tristan’s. Shockingly, as Tristan rigs the van to explode, he manages to escape with a hostage. Anticipating his move, Zoe expertly maneuvers the van into reverse, leading to a catastrophic explosion that engulfs the vacant lot.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Zoe pursues Tristan, only to be mistakenly apprehended by SWAT. Outside the school, Sheriff Tarsy congratulates Zoe for her bravery, revealing that Tristan has met his end in flames. With the dust settling, Zoe reunites with her father, beginning to mend their bruised relationship. Nevertheless, a sense of dread lingers when Zoe glimpses Tristan, having faked his death, fleeing into the woods. Armed with her father’s hunting rifle, she confronts him in a final showdown, ultimately allowing him to succumb to his injuries while condemning him for his horrific deeds.
Zoe's Struggles
Zoe Hull, portrayed by Isabel May, faces the emotional turmoil of navigating high school after losing her mother, Jennifer. The strained relationship with her father, Todd, adds to her feelings of isolation and lack of support.
The Mysterious Device
On her way to school, Zoe unexpectedly witnesses Chris Jelick planting a mysterious device in a field. Initially dismissing it as a prank, she remains unaware of the impending chaos that will soon unfold.
Prom Proposal Gone Awry
During the school day, Zoe's friend Lewis tries to muster the courage to ask her to prom. However, a spill sends Zoe rushing to the restroom, distracting her from the moment and leaving Lewis feeling rejected.
Explosive Chaos Erupts
As the school day continues, a series of explosive devices detonate throughout the community. Emergency services rush to respond, creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency among the students and faculty.
Intruders Attack
A van crashes into the school cafeteria, introducing armed intruders led by Tristan Voy. Chaos ensues as they begin targeting students, trapping many inside the school and escalating the terror.
Zoe's Ingenious Escape
As the situation deteriorates, Zoe utilizes her quick thinking to escape through the bathroom ceiling. She aims to alert her classmates and guide them to safety amidst the unfolding violence.
Tristan's Manipulation
Tristan attempts to mislead the school's front office by falsely reporting a shooting. However, protocols hinder his plan, and the principal, along with a security guard, is drawn to the escalating threat.
Principal's Fate
In a shocking turn of events, Tristan coldly kills the school principal while allowing the unarmed guard to escape, showcasing his ruthless bid for notoriety amidst the chaotic scene.
Sheriff's Response
Sheriff Tarsy desperately manages the escalating crisis as his first arriving officer tragically loses his life in an explosion. The urgency increases as the situation spirals further out of control.
Zoe's Confrontation
While trying to warn her peers, Zoe is confronted by Anna Jelick, leading to a tense struggle where Zoe acts in self-defense. The confrontation culminates in a tragic outcome as she fatally wounds Anna.
Tristan's Notoriety
News of the violence spreads, and Tristan revels in the notoriety he gains from the chaos. This moment underscores the impact of past bullying, fueling the motivations for his violent actions.
Zoe's Decisive Action
Zoe contacts Sheriff Tarsy to plan a distraction to help evacuate trapped students, showcasing her intelligence and bravery. Her efforts are aimed at diverting media coverage from the school during the crisis.
Kip's Downfall
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Zoe manages to convince Kip to help her set a trap for Tristan and Chris. This tragic collaboration results in Kip's unexpected demise in the midst of the chaotic shootout.
Final Showdown in the Cafeteria
As the chaos reaches its peak, Chris prepares to detonate an explosive van. Zoe takes control of the live-streamed situation, declaring her intent to overshadow Tristan's legacy, leading to a climactic confrontation.
Aftermath and Confrontation
In the aftermath, Zoe is mistakenly apprehended by SWAT but is later commended by Sheriff Tarsy for her bravery. As she reconciles with her father, a lingering sense of dread arises when she spots Tristan, alive and fleeing into the woods, leading to a final confrontation.
Zoe Hull
Zoe is a determined and resourceful high school student coping with the loss of her mother. Throughout the movie, she evolves from a frightened teenager to a brave survivor, indicating her strength and adaptability under pressure. Her emotional journey is central to the narrative, reflecting themes of loss and resilience.
Todd Hull
Todd, Zoe’s father, struggles to connect with his daughter while dealing with his grief. Their strained relationship highlights the themes of familial love and personal turmoil as he tries to protect her amidst the tragedy. His character ultimately shows growth and a desire for reconciliation.
Tristan Voy
Tristan is the film's antagonist, orchestrating the violent siege on the school. His character embodies the reckless pursuit of notoriety and the consequences of unresolved anger and bullying. His chilling actions and ultimate downfall serve as a stark warning about the dangers of violence in society.
Sheriff Tarsy
Sheriff Tarsy is the law enforcement officer trying to manage the crisis as it escalates. Portrayed as competent yet challenged by the chaotic events, his character represents the struggle of first responders in high-pressure situations. His interactions reveal the difficulties of protecting the community while ensuring public safety.
Time period
The movie appears to take place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as school violence and youth isolation. It captures the immediacy of social media's role in crisis situations and the youth's navigation of trauma in the digital age.
Location
High School
The high school serves as the primary setting for the intense and harrowing events of the movie. It is characterized by the usual environment of youthful interactions, friendships, and personal struggles, making it a relatable backdrop for many viewers. However, the school transforms into a site of chaos and terror when an armed intruder attack disrupts the normalcy of high school life.
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Survival
Survival is a central theme as Zoe Hull navigates the life-threatening situation in her school. She demonstrates resilience and ingenuity, showcasing her will to protect herself and others amid chaos. This theme highlights the instinctual drive to overcome obstacles and the lengths one will go to for safety.
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Loss and Grief
The film deeply explores themes of loss and grief, particularly through Zoe's strained relationship with her father following her mother's death. This emotional backdrop informs her character's journey, as she grapples with her trauma while fighting for survival, which adds depth to her actions throughout the film.
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Violence
The theme of violence is pervasive, as the film deals with the harsh realities of a school shooting. It critiques the escalation of aggression and the resultant trauma both immediate victims and the wider community endure. The portrayal serves as a commentary on the societal issues surrounding gun violence and its impact on youth.
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