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Bad Apples

Play trailer 1:48 Poster for Bad Apples R Now Playing 1h 40m Comedy Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 62 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 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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Bad Apples

Bad Apples

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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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Critics Reviews

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Iana Murray Empire Magazine Sep 18, 2026
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. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers The Travers Take Sep 18, 2026
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. Go to Full Review
Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) Sep 18, 2026
It isn't satirical enough. Go to Full Review
Tiffany McLaughlin Pop Culture Leftovers 2 days ago
In a summer full of breakout independent films and smash hits from young, first-time directors, Bad Apples is director Jonatan Etzler's English-language debut. With Saoirse Ronan attached to star, that was all it took for me to take a bite. Go to Full Review
Cameron Meier MeierMovies.com 6 days ago
3.5/5
The novel’s seeds could have grown more, but the film is nevertheless delicious. Go to Full Review
Dulcie Pearce The Sun (UK) Sep 21, 2026
5/5
Directed by Jonatan Etzler, the film’s slow descent into madness plays out beautifully, with Ronan giving a brilliant performance as the complicated Maria. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jos Manuel - Chema - S @RT43826464 1 day ago This is a clever film worth watching that probably will stay in your head for some time, and it's also very entertaining. See more Bob P @bobpotter50 2 days ago Saiorse Ronan is fabulous in this thriller that is both unbelievable and totally believable in that society permits a lot of childhood misbehavior. The only criticism I have is that the boy looked pretty well groomed for living in a basement for months without a shower or bath. See more Graham K @RT83627672 3 days ago The film shows how a series of events can propel life in a different direction and how unconventional acts can be perceived as ok where the greater good benefits. The beginning is difficult to watch because it accurately portrays a real world situation - education/behaviour/staffing/money. I considered leaving - others did go, but was glad to stick with the film when it opened out. It may be that the director wanted to "overplay" a negative as far as telling a story, but it was not overplayed with how such a situation is in real life. I would advise anyone to endure the scene setting to appreciate the second phase. See more Taylor H @RT53640855 3 days ago The fact that all the parents knew and they brought gifts 🤣 See more Corrine P @CorryPatty 4 days ago I enjoyed it. The humour worked really well imo. It reminded me a bit of Heel with Stephen Graham, but this was a lot better. See more Diana E @RT51900873 5 days ago I felt aligned with her. The student was overwhelming disruptive and should have been deal with at another level. It amazed me that there was an upside to his learning. Not the way to handle it but he was a bad Apple. Needed a nun to set him straight. See more Read all reviews
Bad Apples

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Bad Apples

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Movie Info

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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