As a movie lover who enjoys films that show the hidden harsh sides of growing up — those uncomfortable moments where fitting in feels very important — The Plague felt like a strong and painful story when I watched it at Cannes. Directed by Charlie Polinger in his first feature film, this psychological thriller does not use ghosts or bloody horror. Instead, it captures the true fear of growing up subject to taunting and social mores.
The movie makes a summer water polo camp into a house of stress, fear and emotional pain. It features young actors Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin and Kenny Rasmussen, with Joel Edgerton cast as the adult coach who oversees it all. The film had its world premiere on 16 May 2025 in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. It will get a limited release on December 24, 2025, and then a full release on January 2, 2026, through Independent Film Company. Let’s look at the story, the cast, and what makes this film stay in your mind long after watching.
The Plague Movie Plot
The movie is set in 2003 at an all-boys water polo camp in rural America. The story follows Ben (Everett Blunck), a shy 12-year-old who just wants to fit in with a group of confident local boys. The group’s leader, Jake (Kayo Martin), controls everyone by bullying Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), a lonely boy with acne. Jake refers to Eli’s skin condition as “the plague,” acting like the affliction is contagious. The lie causes the boys to shun and taunt Eli.
When Ben suddenly opts to be nice to Eli, the group turn on Ben, too — now also “infected” by virtue of not being unfriendly. He is the next target, and the bullying intensifies. The boys force Ben to undergo weird “tests”: solo swims, awkward body checks, group chants intended to humiliate him. Ben gets so frightened that he begins to believe the “plague” is real, and his stress manifests itself in a rash and panic attacks.
The movie examines how desperately kids long to fit in, how pressure from groups can transform people — and down the line we go again with the hurtful power of cruelty flowing like an infectious disease. Polinger’s writing shows fear in simple moments — a coach’s talk becomes threatening, underwater scenes feel strange and unreal, and the camp itself looks like a trap. At 95 minutes, the movie is short but intense, similar to Lord of the Flies mixed with the slow fear of It Follows.
Polinger says he was inspired by The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Beau Travail, and the film reflects those influences with its eerie style and focus on male insecurity. It becomes a powerful and disturbing look at the emotional wounds children carry into adulthood.
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Star-Studded Cast and Crew of The Plague Movie 2025
The Plague brings together a young cast that feels very real and natural, supported by Joel Edgerton as the camp coach. His character watches the boys closely but never fully stops the bullying, showing the silent role adults sometimes play in these situations. Edgerton uses the same calm but unsettling style he showed in The Gift and Loving.
Everett Blunck stars as Ben, and he turns in a sturdy performance that reflects how it feels to be an emotionally aware tween just trying to survive social demands. His fear and disorientation feels genuine, helping him to stand out after several small roles in The Mandalorian.
As Jake, the charismatic but ruthless leader, Kayo Martin is fetching. His character is at once lovable and frightening, like a child who enjoys power just a bit too much. Kenny Rasmussen plays Eli, the outcast, and his quiet and emotional performance becomes the heart of the movie. The boys — Lennox Espy, Lucas Adler, Caden Burris, among others — bring the camp to life with their realistic group dynamics.
Interviews Polinger is impressively self assured as both writer and director, his jarring memories of having to lug around for life those years with him turned into serious movie that matters. And the cinematography catches the weird, lonely feeling of that world, particularly in its underwater shots. The music compounds the fear with soft, creepy sounds. At 95 minutes, this is a taut, focused movie — a small film with heavyweight emotional force.
| Key Cast Members | Role Highlights | Notable Insights |
| Joel Edgerton | Camp coach, distant authority | Exhibits adult responsibility; calm but intense |
| Everett Blunck | Ben, the awkward newcomer | Big role; shows fear and confusion |
| Kayo Martin | Jake, charismatic leader | Charming but cruel; delivers a strong, memorable performance |
| Kenny Rasmussen | Eli, the bullied outcast | Quiet, emotional role; powerful presence |
| Lennox Espy | Clique member | Adds tension to group behavior |
The Plague Movie Teaser, Trailer, and Release Date
The movie’s promotion has been slow and mysterious. It started with a Cannes poster in May 2025 showing the bottom of a pool with a single acne mark — simple but unsettling. The official trailer came out in November 2025. The 2:30 trailer shows boys playing in slow motion, whispers turning into loud chants, and Ben slowly breaking down as he goes through the group’s tests. The music is gentle but anxious, and Edgerton’s calm tone turns with menace by the end. In the trailer is a little sense of the film’s quiet, potent fear.
Filming for the movie wrapped in 2024 in Romania, which was dressed to appear as 2003 America. The undersea scenes were given a dreamy, distorted quality in post-production. The motion picture was shown to Independent Film Company in August 2025. It is rated R and has a running time of 95 minutes. The film opens in limited release at select theaters December 24, 2025, before expanding nationwide January 2, 2026.
Social Media Buzz and Why The Plague Movie 2025 Is a Must-Watch
Social media users are very interested in The Plague because it feels real and emotional. People on X have made threads comparing the movie to Lord of the Flies, with a post from @BloodyDisgusting getting 20K views. On Instagram, short videos copy Jake’s creepy smile. Hashtags like #ThePlagueMovie and #CharliePolinger have over 50K mentions. On Reddit’s r/horror, a popular post with 3K upvotes called the film “body horror for the soul.” Its Cannes success and 88% Rotten Tomatoes score only add to the hype.
In 2025’s crowded indie horror scene, The Plague stands out because of Polinger’s honest direction and Blunck’s strong acting. It is a must-watch for people who enjoy movies about childhood fear and emotional horror.
Conclusion
The Plague movie 2025 arrives on December 24, 2025, bringing Charlie Polinger’s first film, Joel Edgerton’s guidance, and Everett Blunck’s emotional performance as Ben together in a story that is more than just cruelty — it demonstrates how guilt and fear can be as infectious as an illness. With Kayo Martin’s fearsome presence, it becomes more than frightening: It’s honest about growing up. To ring in the holidays, The Plague is a cutting and honest portrayal of youth under pressure — cop tickets and dive in.