The Fallout is a compassionate look at the difficulties of emotional recovery, even when the protagonist hits a few bumps in the road. Hopefully, it also encourages a sustained social and political commitment to preventing further violence in schools. High school is difficult enough on its own. Directed by Megan Park.
It can be heavy, but it can also hold moments of humor and joy. For those not completely worn down by the all-too-real tragedies on the news, The Fallout is worth a watch. The Fallout is now streaming on HBO Max. It is 96 minutes long and rated R for language throughout, and teen drug and alcohol use.
Parents need to know that The Fallout is a poignant, intense drama about a diverse group of teens experiencing grief after going through the trauma of a school shooting. Mature content includes drug use and drinking by teens, strong language (“f–k,” “s–t,” and more), kissing, implied sex, sounds of gunshots and screaming, and some blood.
It can be easy to assume a film about a school shooting is exploitative and has nothing new to say, but in Park’s capable hands, this movie is far more than an after school special. Enriched by a profound performance from Ortega, The Fallout is a nuanced take on tragedy that focuses on the difficult question of what comes after.
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