‘Graduation’s a killer’
Departing Seniors is a 2023 American comedy horror film about a nerdy high school senior who develops psychic abilities which he must use to stop a mysterious serial killer targeting his classmates.
Directed and co-produced by actress turned filmmaker Clare Cooney, making her feature directorial debut from a screenplay written by actor Jose Nateras. Also produced by Jose Nateras, Kelly Parke and Dashawna Wright.
The Choppe Productions-Mary Ellen Moffat-Divisionist Films-Queensbury Pictures production stars Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Maisie Merlock, Ireon Roach, Yani Gellman, Sasha Kuznetsov, Cameron Scott Roberts and Ryan Foreman.
Plot:
Javier (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio) is a nerdy high school senior who endures constant harassment from a group of bullies. However, after a fateful altercation lands him in the hospital, Javier awakens to discover he possesses psychic powers, granting him glimpses into future events. Javier begins to have visions of a shadowy killer who is targeting his classmates, including his tormentors. The question is, will Javier intervene to prevent these events or allow them to transpire?
Reviews:
“Diaz-Silverio’s immensely likeable Javier […] is gifted not with intuition – he keeps misreading his visions, to the extent of picking the wrong suspect after a through-the-maskholes-of-a-killer premonition – but with empathy. A few years ago, this would have been awash with social media stuff and clicks-for-kills jokes, but Departing Seniors has even matured past that stage of slasher and works up some charm and wicked humour…” The Kim Newman Website
“At its best, Departing Seniors breathes life into the tropes of coming-of-age horror films. Cooney has gathered a truly talented and memorable group of young actors to elevate a clever if somewhat predictable take on the high school slasher. This cast, top to bottom, impresses and Nateras writes characters that they can sink their teeth into.” ★★★½ Maddwolf
“Taking cues from The Dead Zone, Cooney’s film finds a rhythm when she uses bright, spacious hallways for sites of real terror. Unfortunately, the mystery lacks intrigue, spinning its wheels toward a predictable conclusion. You come to wish “Departing Seniors” took Javier’s abilities further, that he revealed the unlikely inner truths of these characters rather than merely being a plot device…” RogerEbert.com
YouTube reviews:
Trailer:
Release:
Departing Seniors premiered at FrightFest in London on August 28, 2023, and was shown at the Chicago International Film Festival in October.
In the US, Dark Sky Films released Departing Seniors theatrically in select locations on VOD on February 2, 2024.
Technical specs:
1 hour 25 minutes
