Saoirse Ronan Stars in 'Bad Apples,' a Satirical Black Comedy

Saoirse Ronan leads the cast of "Bad Apples," a satirical black comedy that finds its mischief in a deadpan delivery, particularly from Ronan as a teacher at her wit's end. Directed by Jonatan Etzler and inspired by a Swedish novel, the film is set in a West-of-England primary school.

Ronan portrays Maria, a teacher who feels teaching is her calling but struggles to manage the unruly behavior of an 11-year-old student named Danny, played by Eddie Waller. Danny's disruptive actions, including pushing a classmate down the stairs, lead to Maria's pleas for his removal being dismissed by the headteacher, who insists managing difficult children is Maria's job.

The film depicts a chain of events that escalates when Maria, unable to get help from Danny's father, locks the boy in her basement. This unconventional approach results in two significant outcomes: Maria finds a more effective teaching style at school, benefiting her students, while Danny receives the focused attention he needs in the basement. The narrative addresses the police search for the missing child while he is safely, and productively, being held.

Both Ronan's performance and Waller's debut screen role are highlighted as crucial to the film's ability to maintain a sense of plausibility despite its far-fetched premise. Nia Brown also features as Pauline, a student whose crush on Maria unravels dramatically.

"Bad Apples" treads a fine line, straining credulity as it progresses but reportedly never to the breaking point. The film tackles the serious subject of child abduction in a way that is described as boldly subversive, a characteristic that may not appeal to all viewers. Despite its controversial themes, the film is noted for its enjoyment factor, particularly for teachers who might recognize elements of their own experiences.

The review also touches upon two other films: "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom," a stop-motion animated horror-film pastiche, and "Resident Evil," the eighth installment in the franchise, which is characterized as "monstrously silly" and potentially an allegory for the Covid pandemic.