Bad Apples

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Bad Apples

R

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1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

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56 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

A primary school teacher accidentally locks her most disruptive student in her home. Desperate to undo it, she hesitates when her class begins to flourish in the child's absence, landing her in an impossible predicament.

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Critics Consensus

A tart comedy that Saoirse Ronan's terrific performance polishes into something humane, Bad Apples has an unsettling darkness that worms its way through an otherwise playful satire of the education system.

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Iana Murray

Empire Magazine

2 days ago

4/5

Jonatan Etzler’s school satire is darkly hilarious and politically sharp — as satisfying as a crisp Granny Smith. Saoirse Ronan has never been better walking its riveting moral tightrope.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

2 days ago

2.5/4

In this darkly comic thriller, teacher Saoirse Ronan loses it and takes drastic action against a rotten 10-year-old student who’s spoiling her whole classroom bunch.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

2 days ago

It isn't satirical enough.

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Jason Flatt

But Why Tho?

2 days ago

5.5/10

Bad Apples is a bizarre bunch of elements that don’t really meld together.

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Al Alexander

Movies Thru the Spectrum

2 days ago

B-

None of this is even remotely plausible ... but Ronan, as always, is so ideal in the role that you’re compelled to follow along as she so expertly conveys Maria’s internal struggles with conscience and moral judgment.

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Betsy H

@RT69895511 5 hrs ago

I’m surprised this was marked as a dark comedy. As a former teacher, I had these kids and thought it would be a fun premise. I expected a quirky dark comedy, but it really just kept looking like a sad tale of a child who was neglected by his father, pushed aside by his school, abused and used by his teacher, and betrayed by his community. I would expect this would be triggering to anyone who has suffered abuse and just didn’t find it entertaining.

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abby J

@abbyjeavons 5 hrs ago

this movie was bad. ending was poor. i am left confused.

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Michael M

@LateforDinner442 9 hrs ago

It doesn't play as a comedy but is kind of entertaining. Well acted and tight story that moves.

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Lauren F

@Laurena2100 1 day ago

Bad apples, by name, bad apples by nature. watching it was horrific boring, predictable. And just like every other sort of trying to be a thriller, but it ends up to being like I don't know how at any point. This movie was a comedy. I don't think I smiled once so avoid at all costs boring. Sorry.

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James S

@RT75329581 1 day ago

I walked out on maybe four movies in my entire life and this is one of them. It was absolutely terrible not a single second that I smile laugh or find any of it somewhat interesting. We left about 40 minutes into the movie skip avoid don’t waste your money don’t waste your time more importantly pass.

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Darren D

@DarrenJD 1 day ago

This dark satirical look at teacher burnout and problematic students, "Bad Apples," got a reaction from me. It’s a stressful and twisted tale where no one is entirely innocent. Yet, there are moments I couldn't help feeling it struggled to fully convey its message about education, inclusion, and exclusion in the classroom. Saoirse Ronan is fantastic as the teacher, Maria. She only wants the best for her students before falling into a tailspin and a moral dilemma. The performances from the child actors perfectly capture the discomfort that the story aims to evoke.

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Jonatan Etzler

Director

Saoirse Ronan

Maria Spencer

Eddie Waller

Danny

Nia Brown

Pauline

Jacob Anderson

Sam

Rakie Ayola

Sylvia

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Synopsis

A primary school teacher accidentally locks her most disruptive student in her home. Desperate to undo it, she hesitates when her class begins to flourish in the child's absence, landing her in an impossible predicament.

Director: Jonatan Etzler
Producer: Oskar Pimlott
Screenwriter: Jess O'Kane, Jess O'Kane
Distributor: Republic Pictures
Production Co: Pulse Films
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2026
Runtime: 1h 40m

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