When some very creepy things start happening around school, the kids at Herrington High make a chilling discovery that confirms their worst suspicions: their teachers really are from another planet.
The Faculty is a sci-fi horror film that attempts to blend the genres of high school drama, body-snatching alien invasion, and dark comedy. With an ensemble cast featuring familiar faces such as Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, and Salma Hayek, the film had the potential to be a standout entry in the late ’90s teen horror genre. However, while The Faculty boasts some memorable moments and a unique premise, it falls short of being a truly exceptional movie.
The film is set in a typical American high school in the small town of Herrington, Ohio. The story kicks off with the introduction of a group of stereotypical high school students, each representing a different teenage archetype. You have the nerd, the jock, the goth, the cheerleader, and the outcast, all forced to band together when they discover their teachers are being taken over by alien parasites.
The premise is intriguing, drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi and horror tropes, most notably Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Unfortunately, the execution leaves much to be desired. The pacing is inconsistent, with a slow buildup that takes too long to get to the heart of the story. Once the action starts, it feels rushed, leaving some plot holes and underdeveloped character arcs.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its ensemble cast, which includes a young and talented group of actors. Josh Hartnett’s Zeke is the standout, a rebellious delinquent with a hidden depth. However, most of the characters remain one-dimensional, and their development is limited. The film tries to break away from typical high school stereotypes, but it still relies heavily on them to drive the story forward.
Elijah Wood’s Casey is the underdog nerd who ultimately becomes one of the heroes, but his character arc is not as compelling as it could be. Salma Hayek’s Nurse Harper adds a touch of intrigue but is underutilized. The film also struggles with integrating the adult characters, such as the teachers and the school principal, into the plot effectively. They feel more like plot devices than fully fleshed-out characters.
Robert Rodriguez is known for his visually striking films, and The Faculty is no exception. The film’s dark and gritty aesthetic adds to the overall atmosphere of paranoia and impending doom. Rodriguez uses creative camera angles and lighting to build tension, and the practical effects used to depict the aliens are both convincing and grotesque.
The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the film makes effective use of its limited budget. Rodriguez’s signature style is evident throughout, making The Faculty visually engaging, even when the story falters.
The Faculty suffers from a screenplay that leans heavily on clichés and often resorts to cheesy one-liners. While there are moments of humor, much of the dialogue falls flat. The attempts at witty banter between the students often feel forced and unnatural, detracting from the overall immersion in the story.
Additionally, the film struggles with tone. It oscillates between horror, comedy, and teen drama, and this inconsistency can be jarring. While it’s clear that Rodriguez wanted to inject humor into the narrative, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Beneath its surface, The Faculty attempts to explore themes of conformity, individuality, and the challenges of adolescence. The idea that teenagers are constantly changing and adapting to fit in with their peers is mirrored in the film’s central plot of alien parasites taking over their teachers and fellow students. However, these themes are only briefly touched upon and never fully developed, leaving the potential for a more profound exploration of teenage struggles untapped.
The Faculty succeeds in building a sense of suspense and paranoia. The initial discovery of the alien invasion is genuinely chilling, and there are moments of genuine horror scattered throughout the film. The tension escalates as the students try to figure out whom they can trust, and this aspect of the story keeps the audience engaged.
However, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential for scares. The aliens themselves, while grotesque in appearance, lack a deeper sense of dread. Their motivations and origins are left largely unexplored, which diminishes their impact as antagonists.
The Faculty is a mixed bag of sci-fi horror and teenage drama that shows flashes of potential but ultimately falls short of its ambitions. Robert Rodriguez’s visual style and the talented ensemble cast elevate the film above mediocrity, but a lackluster script and underdeveloped characters hinder its ability to fully engage the audience. It’s a passable entry in the late ’90s teen horror genre, worth a watch for fans of the era or those interested in Rodriguez’s unique directorial style, but it won’t leave a lasting impression.