I had not expected much from this film when I saw the film cover on my Firestick. I gave it a shot anyway and was pretty surprised. The films quality is shot like a big production and the narrative was actually quite original. The film follows a 17yr old high school student who is extremely bright and unusually industrious, offering a "murder for hire" service to his fellow students. It is apparent there is no shortage of customers at his school. Not to divulge too much, the films quality's lie in the relationships and interaction with the main character and a hapless detective who is hot on his trail throughout. Really good performances from all concerned. A good script and clever dialog kept me interested throughout. Way better then I expected!
24 Reviews
Funny, slick, pleasant on the eye.
benprichardsdotcom30 January 2019
This one is a light hearted black comedy if those two descriptions can go together. Clever with a decent twist that I certainly hadn't anticipated. So happy we abandoned Wreck It Ralph II after 10 minutes to watch this instead.
Very Enjoyable, I Was Gripped
martimusross18 February 2019
This was quite a hidden gem, well scripted, well acted and the twists and turns kept you gripped. It was very inventive and had a touch of the Desperate Housewives about it, where the most heinous crimes seem normalised within a suburban setting.
Very enjoyable and some very promising actors displaying convincing performances.
Very enjoyable and some very promising actors displaying convincing performances.
Entertaining
kathmummybear2 March 2020
Tightly woven dark comdramady
safsurfer4 January 2020
This was a fun film with a very well written script that will keep you entertained till the very end. The plot was simple and the acting was excellent. Even though some scenes were sort of predictable there was enough twists and turns to keep it smart and interesting. Definitely worth a watch as I rated it a solid 7, for very fair.
Witty Indie film
Brittany22462211 January 2022
So I watched this online. It's pretty entertaining and funny at times, I think it's definitely a film that is niche and you kind of have to get the humour. It's not as bad as some people think it is. I will say one thing some of the dialogue of the teens is a little off and not what real teens sound or act like. That seems to happen though when older people write for teens they often don't get what the actual teen generation are like. My sis is a teen and she felt that way when watching it as well. Other than that it's pretty entraining indie film.
Calling all poorly written characters...
umimelectric5 February 2019
It takes a lot of unrealistically dumb characters for the whole town, school, and police department to be fooled by a 17 year old kid. This is not a spoiler, as you're made aware from the beginning that he's the one behind the murders, and the plot is basically about one bumbling detective, who happens to be the only smart person in the entire universe as far as this narrative is concerned, and his pursuit of this seemingly upstanding juvenile delinquent. It's a dark comedy, so I understand that I shouldn't be too harsh or take it too seriously, but the killer really got under my skin. Perhaps that's the point, and maybe that's something that should be applauded. Heathers set the tone for films like these, but it takes a lot of suspension of disbelief to think that there are this many evil students, this many oblivious cops siding with a kid over their 15-year veteran detective, and a teenager who has a plan for everything that is seamlessly realized without a hiccup time and time again. To say it's a great film would be a perfect crime.
Who would have thought....
s32761692 March 2019
Who would have thought such an innocuous title could be so surprisingly good. Extracurricular Activities is one of those films you may be tempted to overlook and I get that. Based on its cover and initial impressions it looks like a B in a bad way kind of movie.
That said don't judge this film by its cover.Beneath its cheesy exterior lies a darkly witty, cleverly written tale that mixes any teen drama you care to name, with a "Dexter" style twist.
A well deserved 8/10 from me.
That said don't judge this film by its cover.Beneath its cheesy exterior lies a darkly witty, cleverly written tale that mixes any teen drama you care to name, with a "Dexter" style twist.
A well deserved 8/10 from me.
They tried, they really did, but the movie was bland...
paul_haakonsen19 June 2019
Initially I must admit that I had excepted more in the comedy department from "Extracurricular Activities", so I was a little bit disappointed with what this movie actually turned out to be.
That being said, don't get me wrong. The movie is actually enjoyable and entertaining, it was just not exactly what I had thought it to be.
The storyline in the movie was sort of what made the movie less than mediocre for me, because it didn't really captivate me, nor did it ever manage to entice me to really submerge myself into the plot throughout the course of the entire movie.
The characters in the movie were adequate, but I never really took a liking to them, perhaps because the movie's plot wasn't really all that spellbinding for me, so I didn't really invest much into the movie.
As for the ways that people were murdered in the movie, well it was bland. It didn't really have a wow-effect, and I just shrugged my shoulders upon the methods. It just felt like a half-hearted effort.
"Extracurricular Activities" is the type of movie that you watch once, and then never again. It came and went without leaving any kind of mark or dent, only to fade into movie oblivion quietly and all by its lonesome self.
That being said, don't get me wrong. The movie is actually enjoyable and entertaining, it was just not exactly what I had thought it to be.
The storyline in the movie was sort of what made the movie less than mediocre for me, because it didn't really captivate me, nor did it ever manage to entice me to really submerge myself into the plot throughout the course of the entire movie.
The characters in the movie were adequate, but I never really took a liking to them, perhaps because the movie's plot wasn't really all that spellbinding for me, so I didn't really invest much into the movie.
As for the ways that people were murdered in the movie, well it was bland. It didn't really have a wow-effect, and I just shrugged my shoulders upon the methods. It just felt like a half-hearted effort.
"Extracurricular Activities" is the type of movie that you watch once, and then never again. It came and went without leaving any kind of mark or dent, only to fade into movie oblivion quietly and all by its lonesome self.
Clever. Underrated. Gem.
trevd-229775 February 2019
I had heard nothing about this film apart from the few reviews here. This was a REALLY pleasant surprise. A lighthearted & darkish (if not black) comedy of sorts, without the usual irritating teens. The young people portrayed here were really likeable, the acting from all involved was above par, and the writer, Bob Saentz, is very talented.
I thought the acting of Timothy Simons who plays Detective Cliff Dawkins was particularly good. Lots of subtle character quirks.
I highly recommend this very entertaining movie & am really surprised I haven't heard more about it. I rate it an easy 8.5/10.
I thought the acting of Timothy Simons who plays Detective Cliff Dawkins was particularly good. Lots of subtle character quirks.
I highly recommend this very entertaining movie & am really surprised I haven't heard more about it. I rate it an easy 8.5/10.
It doesn't work that way
SilverOrlov2 November 2021
The whole film I had a strong feeling that the author deliberately underestimate the detective's working and thinking abilities(and with the background of the fact that he closed some complicated case in the past, it is completely stupid), and deliberately overestimate the "genius and elusiveness" of the villain... The film did not seem to tell the story of the confrontation, but embodied someone's(the author's?) fantasies about "tough bad guys". Bad and poor quality work.
Writers who don't care or know how people behave strike again
eshelley-12330 May 2019
Despite decent acting, with a few interestingly framed shots, those positives felt out of place in a film this bad. I usually give props in ratings for individual aspects of films, but the other reviews and ratings feel so fake I'm going low. Really for me, this was a 3/10. None of the characters ever felt like actual characters, nor funny enough to be passable jokes. They were simply the victims of a horribly contrived and predictable plot.
The actors did as well as they could have done with this mess, and the lead could have been so interesting, had this had any semblance of a competent writer and director, if they actually understood young people.
It's clear that no effort or thought went into the construction of this narrative or its characters, and if the "plot twist" surprised you, you probably find flamin' hot cheetos to be spicy. In this case, the cheetos have more character than anyone in this movie.
If "Ferris Bueller" were a mystery movie...
ChrisMIN4321111 June 2019
That would probably best describe Extracurricular Activities, a (kinda) dark comedy revolving around a high school kid named Reagan (Colin Ford, of Under the Dome) who helps "assist" some of his fellow students who have problems with their parents. This raises the attention of a police detective (Timothy Simons) at the scene of deadly accidents who puts two and two together- he thinks- and soon is the only one convinced the student is up to no good.
Ford and Simons pretty much are the main reason to check this out, the same way that Bueller and Ed Rooney were perfect antagonists in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". One issue- some of the secondary characters are either too earnest (Reagan's parents) or appear to be ungrateful.
Ford and Simons pretty much are the main reason to check this out, the same way that Bueller and Ed Rooney were perfect antagonists in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". One issue- some of the secondary characters are either too earnest (Reagan's parents) or appear to be ungrateful.
no one compelling
SnoopyStyle2 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Parents are the worst and they're dying in various accidents. Police detective Cliff Dawkins (Timothy Simons) suspects that high school student Reagan Collins (Colin Ford) is orchestrating the deaths. His investigation gets him into trouble and he recruits cheerleader Mary Alice Walker (Ellie Bamber) to help.
Cliff is too angry and Reagan is too cold. Neither are rooting material. Neither are compelling characters. Quite frankly, win, lose, or draw or anything else would be fine by me. At least, I want Reagan to have fun. He could Christian Slater this psycho killer character. As for Cliff, he's more annoying than anything. He is a great detective on one hand and a complete idiot on the other. The Sam character is a million times worst. The only way to make that guy work is to make it funny. He is not funny. There isn't much comedy that works in this one. It would help if Cliff dials back his arrogant anger a bit. It would also help if the cops are not all idiots. The first story plot issue is revealing Reagan's criminality too early. By holding it off until Cliff starts investigating, there can be some additional tension of whether Reagan is actually guilty or innocent. At the end of the day, neither lead character appeals to me which does not pull me into the story.
Cliff is too angry and Reagan is too cold. Neither are rooting material. Neither are compelling characters. Quite frankly, win, lose, or draw or anything else would be fine by me. At least, I want Reagan to have fun. He could Christian Slater this psycho killer character. As for Cliff, he's more annoying than anything. He is a great detective on one hand and a complete idiot on the other. The Sam character is a million times worst. The only way to make that guy work is to make it funny. He is not funny. There isn't much comedy that works in this one. It would help if Cliff dials back his arrogant anger a bit. It would also help if the cops are not all idiots. The first story plot issue is revealing Reagan's criminality too early. By holding it off until Cliff starts investigating, there can be some additional tension of whether Reagan is actually guilty or innocent. At the end of the day, neither lead character appeals to me which does not pull me into the story.
Excellent dark comedy!
yealexaa17 January 2020
pink panterish
ops-5253531 January 2019
Well i expected fun, but i didnt notice much of that here, there are a few strains of giggeling comedy but i really miss the funny pranks and slapstick humour that nearly killed me from laughing hypoxia when i grew up in the 80's and 90's.. its witty here and there but not enough to make an grumpy old man like me laugh.
a teenage movie are also usually filled with partymusic, the parties held here are as silent as when mr murdoch told the titanic to shut up and make ''order'' to enter the lifeboats threatening with a bulletless gun., just a tiny tingle of tones you barely hear, youre glitching mr director, if you ask me
though i smiled inbetween, it was more to the clever story,rather than the comedy. it has got some twists you may not expect so there are qualities. the cast gave a mixed impression, but the tall twinky detective and the main chiller does a good job. also the filmography are flawless, and the settings are great. the technical quality are overall good so i give it a 5, but with a reluctant recommendation.
a teenage movie are also usually filled with partymusic, the parties held here are as silent as when mr murdoch told the titanic to shut up and make ''order'' to enter the lifeboats threatening with a bulletless gun., just a tiny tingle of tones you barely hear, youre glitching mr director, if you ask me
though i smiled inbetween, it was more to the clever story,rather than the comedy. it has got some twists you may not expect so there are qualities. the cast gave a mixed impression, but the tall twinky detective and the main chiller does a good job. also the filmography are flawless, and the settings are great. the technical quality are overall good so i give it a 5, but with a reluctant recommendation.
In murder mysteries, the plot needs to be flawless. It isn't.
The_Melancholic_Alcoholic3 June 2023
No doubt there's a whole lot more wrong with this film, but what stood out to me was:
Why, oh why does Standard Issue Hot Girl Mary (Ellie Bamber) fall for Loner Geek Weirdo Boy Reagan, Colin Ford??? It's true, she's steadfast in her yearning for him, and from the beginning, too. But why would she want him? There's a lack of BFF for Mary, to whom she could have told exactly WHY she falls for the Phoneless Weirdo. What doubled down on the lack of credibility was his displayed UNinterestedness in her. Yes, yes, sure, he plays hard to get, perhaps to keep her interested. But that crap just doesn't fly.
I get it, this is a movie predominantly about a Lone Wolf Hero Entrepeneur who is outsmarting the Dumbo Cop Who Peaked In High School.... eeer ""the Adderall Case" than about the believability of the background romance, but since she is kind of essential to the plot, it would have been wise to make her role credible.
The óther thing which wasn't credible: How quickly the detective suspected Colin Ford. There was no clever detecting, no sudden insight, nothing.
You almost hope that this used to be a 110 minute movie, which was horrendously butchered because of "speed" or whatever. If the writer was forced to downsize the script, Woe unto them. If they did that themselves: Lousy writing!
I liked the police commissioner/chief, good strong role. Thát was about the only thing truly credible about this movie.
Ford isn't a bad actor, if his role had been like the one in Daybreak, it would've improved the movie. I'm not sure if "Detached Emotionless Genius" is totally his thing.
By the way: "Reagan" is a dumb name for a "hero". It's the 3rd reason to think this might've been written by a right-winger, the other 2 being the Lone Wolf glorification and the absence of morals: is it okay to kill people for being basically unkind awholes? Movie says yes.
5,5 oth 10, rounded off 5 (2,5 of those points go to the hawtness of Ellie Bamber, who should get commended, always, since she showed her 18 year old b---tock in Nocturnal Animals.... Those British lassies!!!) The Melancholic Alcoholic.
I get it, this is a movie predominantly about a Lone Wolf Hero Entrepeneur who is outsmarting the Dumbo Cop Who Peaked In High School.... eeer ""the Adderall Case" than about the believability of the background romance, but since she is kind of essential to the plot, it would have been wise to make her role credible.
The óther thing which wasn't credible: How quickly the detective suspected Colin Ford. There was no clever detecting, no sudden insight, nothing.
You almost hope that this used to be a 110 minute movie, which was horrendously butchered because of "speed" or whatever. If the writer was forced to downsize the script, Woe unto them. If they did that themselves: Lousy writing!
I liked the police commissioner/chief, good strong role. Thát was about the only thing truly credible about this movie.
Ford isn't a bad actor, if his role had been like the one in Daybreak, it would've improved the movie. I'm not sure if "Detached Emotionless Genius" is totally his thing.
By the way: "Reagan" is a dumb name for a "hero". It's the 3rd reason to think this might've been written by a right-winger, the other 2 being the Lone Wolf glorification and the absence of morals: is it okay to kill people for being basically unkind awholes? Movie says yes.
5,5 oth 10, rounded off 5 (2,5 of those points go to the hawtness of Ellie Bamber, who should get commended, always, since she showed her 18 year old b---tock in Nocturnal Animals.... Those British lassies!!!) The Melancholic Alcoholic.
Young Dexter
mmentges-131 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a great little find on Amazon Prime. This really could have been a series, as it is a great dark commedy. There really is no violence as the murder of the parents is off screen and they likely dererved it as was the case with Dexter. Good acting and highly entertaining. Collin Ford has a big career in front of him - I picked out Brad Pitt 30 years ago in a small film called "Across the Tracks" - before Thelma and Louise - I think this guy is the next breakthrough actor.
This movie is a shame
lilitbroyan8 June 2020
Very clever
lolly6717 September 2020
Never having heard of this movie before and then just runnung across it on Prime Video, I watched the trailer and then decided to watch the movie. It is by no means a deep, arthouse kind of movie. Thank goodness! It was fun, funny and had a great twist at the end. I very much enjoyed it because it was just a movie that had plenty of great actors I have seen in other series and movies.
decent plot lines
AziziOthmanMY4 May 2019
A death note like plot
corneliusroz17 April 2021
The whole story is much like death note. But what i loved is how good is the contract killing highschool kid. He's unbelievable as a protagonist. The movie had potential to be something amazing but they ended it hastily. Overall i liked it.
Simple plan(s)
kosmasp13 August 2022
What is a dark comedy? And is it still a political correct term to use and say? You don't want to offend anyone and all that. That being said, the movie is quite clever. Or the story it tells - and its characters. Maybe even too clever for some (and its own good).
Still there is a lot of fun you can have with this - even with all its flaws. You can cherish the twists or be mad at the movie for them. I chose to go with the flow and really embrace most of it. I didn't mind the bumps along the road either. Just take it with a grain of salt (no pun intended) ... or whatever else you use yourself.
Still there is a lot of fun you can have with this - even with all its flaws. You can cherish the twists or be mad at the movie for them. I chose to go with the flow and really embrace most of it. I didn't mind the bumps along the road either. Just take it with a grain of salt (no pun intended) ... or whatever else you use yourself.
I love a twisted ending!
TeneshaLCurtis24 November 2023
"Extracurricular Activities" is my favorite film from Bob Saenz so far. Though he has written or co-written multiple family-friendly and / or seasonal films à la Hallmark (and done quite well with all of those!), I would be excited to see more film ideas like this one get produced. I've always been a fan of dark pieces (literature, music, film, visual art, etc.), so I knew this was my kind of movie from the moment I read the description. It's fun for me when the lines between the "good people" and the "bad people" are murky. In "Extracurricular Activities" I saw a "villain" that I could root for and got an ending that satisfied my sinister heart!
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