Films about school shootings explore a deeply sensitive and tragic subject matter. They aim to shed light on the devastating impact of such incidents on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. These films often provoke thought and discussion around issues such as gun control, mental health, and social dynamics within educational settings. While these movies tackle a difficult subject, they can serve as a means to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about preventing such violence.
Here is a list of existing films about school shootings:
“Elephant”, 2003
Director: Gus Van Sant
Directed by Gus Van Sant, this film takes an unflinching look at a high school shooting and its aftermath. It follows various characters on the day of the tragedy, highlighting their experiences and the factors that contribute to the event.
Starring: Alex Frost, Eric Deulen, John Robinson, Elias McConnell, Jordan Taylor, Carrie Finn, Nicole George, Brittany Mountain, Alicia Miles, Kristen Hicks, Bennie Dixon, Nathan Tyson, Timothy Bottoms, Matt Malloy, Ellis Williams, Chantelle Chriestenson Nelson, Kim Kenney, Marci Buntrock, Phillipp Roman Ostrovsky, Vana O'Brien, Michael Paulsen, Alfred Ono, Jim Steinpreis, Jeremy Simpson, Sherilyn Lawson, Sarah Lucht, Larry Laverty, Dave Stippich, Jimmy Gomez, Joe Cronin, Wolfgang Williams, Caroline Donovan Boyd, Travis Ferguson, Ernest Truly, Mary Muldrew, Sarah Bing, Kether Hayden, Natascha Snellman, Ruben Bansie, Joseph Sackett, Jason Seitz, Shanti Cho, Spencer Callahan, Theara Sao, Tiana Woods, Griffin Goins, Maxim Horner, Thomas Trullinger, Ty Schwoeffermann;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 81 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“We Need to Talk About Kevin”, 2010
Director: Lynne Ramsay
Based on Lionel Shriver's novel, this film delves into the complex relationship between a mother and her troubled son. It explores the aftermath of a school shooting and the mother's struggle to make sense of her son's actions.
Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell, Rocky Duer, Ashley Gerasimovich, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Alex Manette, Kenneth Franklin, Leslie Lyles, Paul Diomede, Michael Campbell, Jamal Mallory-McCree, Mark Elliot Wilson, James Chen, Lauren Fox, Blake DeLong, Andy Gershenzon, Kelly Wade, Ursula Parker, Jason Shelton, Simon MacLean, Erin Darke, Annie O'Sullivan, Georgia Ximenes Lifsher, Aaron Blakely, Polly Adams, Suzette Gunn, Joseph Melendez, Rebecca Dealy, Louie Rinaldi, Johnson Chong, Kimberley Drummond, Leland Alexander Wheeler, Daniel Farcher, Jennifer Kim, Caitlin Kinnunen, J.J. Kandel, Maryann Urbano, Jose Joaquin Perez, Tah von Allmen, Joseph Basile, Susan-Kate Heaney, Paul Marra, Francesca Murdoch;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “We Need to Talk About Kevin” on the website imdb.com
“Beautiful Boy”, 2018
Director: Felix van Groeningen
While not solely focused on school shootings, this film depicts the impact of drug addiction on a father-son relationship. It explores the consequences of substance abuse and the desperate efforts of a family to save their son.
Starring: Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan, Kaitlyn Dever, Andre Royo, Timothy Hutton, Jack Dylan Grazer, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Amy Forsyth, Oakley Bull, Christian Convery, Amy Aquino, Carlton Wilborn, Stefanie Scott, Marypat Farrell, Kue Lawrence, Brandon James Cienfuegos, Cheska Corona, Mandeiya Flory, Martha T. Newman, Minerva García, Nikki Snipper, Anastasia Lofgren, Zachary Rifkin, Edward Fletcher, Justin Townes Earle, Seann Gallagher, Brooklin Thacher, Julian Works, Sasha Kelly Jackson, Tom Beyer, Jeff Adler, Moises Amaya, Ford Austin, Isabel Aya, Kevin Courtney Black, David Blount-Porter, Arwen Boatman-Vazquez, John-Paul Boatman-Vazquez, Liberty Bradford, Cabran E. Chamberlain, Tom Choi, Carl Collanus, Julian Crouser, Dylan Kento Curtis, Sam Dillon, Emmet Flores, Adi Freeman, Douglas Gawoski;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“Bang Bang You're Dead”, 2002
Director: Guy Ferland
Originally a play by William Mastrosimone, this film tackles the issue of school violence through the perspective of a high school student. It examines themes of bullying, isolation, and the potential consequences of unchecked aggression.
Starring: Ben Foster, Thomas Cavanagh, Randy Harrison, Janel Moloney, Jane McGregor, David Paetkau, Eric Johnson, Kristian Ayre, Brent Glenen, Gillian Barber, Eric Keenleyside, Glynis Davies, Ryan McDonald, Chad Faust, Andrew Sabiston, Mitchell Davies, Merrilyn Gann, Garry Chalk, P. Lynn Johnson, Fred Henderson, Amber Rothwell, Steven Grayhm, Jorge Vargas, Richard de Klerk, James Kirk, Chris Burrows, Joel Palmer, Eric Hui, Brian Drummond, Mark Holden, Jorah Porteous, Julie Patzwald, Colin Smith, Juliana Wimbles, Veronika Sztopa, Jaimie Mortimer-Lamb, Robbie Holloway, Alejandro Rae, Matt Bellefleur, Cory Fry, Elana Nep, Christine Kennedy, Mercedes de la Zerda, Matthew Smalley, Blair Slater, Celina Morden, Vanessa Morley, Erin Monroe, Jenna Nickel, Nicole Robert;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Bang Bang You're Dead” on the website imdb.com
“Zero Day”, 2002
Director: Ben Coccio
Shot in a found-footage style, this film follows the days leading up to a planned school shooting. It explores the motivations and mindset of the two students involved, providing a chilling and disturbing glimpse into their lives.
Starring: Cal Robertson, Andre Keuck, Serataren Adragna, Melissa Banks, Josh Bednarsky, Rachel Benichak, Chelsea Cipolla, Christopher Coccio, Carmine DiBenedetto, Joe Falco, David Futernick, Alyssa Goodin, Ryan Janowski, Derrick Karg, Gerhard Keuck, Johanne Keuck, Victoria Klein, Tyler Knowlin, Bobby Moreau, Greg Murphy, Amy Nemeth, Samantha J. Phillips, Sarah Pilla, Mark Shea Price, Madelyn Robertson, Pam Robertson, Steve Robertson, Michael Omar Walters;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Zero Day” on the website imdb.com
It is important to approach these films with sensitivity and understanding, as they delve into a highly sensitive and tragic subject matter. They aim to raise awareness and encourage discussions about the underlying causes of such incidents, as well as potential preventive measures.
The selection of films about school shootings offers a raw and poignant portrayal of the devastating impact of such tragic events. These films serve as a powerful medium to shed light on the harsh realities of gun violence in educational settings, provoking important conversations about mental health, social dynamics, and the need for societal change. While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, these films compel audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for proactive measures to prevent such atrocities. Through their unflinching narratives, these films demand reflection, empathy, and a collective commitment to safeguarding our schools and communities.
