The horror movie “Departing Seniors” lacks compelling elements beyond horror. Its murder mystery lacks tension and clever kills, feeling unnecessary in the story.
In Clare Cooney’s debut film, “Departing Seniors,” the main character Javier, a queer Mexican-American teen, gains an unwanted psychic ability after a fall at school. He can see people’s pasts or futures by touching them or their belongings. As a killer targets his school before graduation, Javier feels powerless to stop the violence despite his newfound ability.
Screenwriter Jose Nateras takes inspiration from Stephen King’s “The Dead Zone” for this plot point, adding a fresh sense of humor within a high school setting. Ignacio Diaz-Silverio shines as Javier, displaying wit and disbelief towards the chaos around him. He shares a lively chemistry with Ireon Roach, who plays his supportive friend Bianca, though her character could use more depth beyond aiding Javier.
Javier shares a budding romance with the new student, William, who also happens to be gay and a band enthusiast. However, other supporting characters like the school athletes, mean-girl valedictorian, and the English teacher lack depth.
“Departing Seniors” doesn’t bring much new to familiar character types and tropes. Some parts of the story, like the swimming-pool kill, don’t make sense. It’s unclear why nobody reacts to a murder on campus or why Javier’s dad is mostly absent, even during crucial moments. Additionally, the absence of letters on the jocks’ jackets raises questions.
These issues might be easier to overlook if the filmmaking were better or if the pacing was more suspenseful. The sound quality varies, and the ending hints that the masked murderer may strike again at the school, leaving room for improvement.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Plot | Lackluster murder mystery elements, overshadowed by horror. |
| Main Character | Javier, a queer Mexican-American teen, gains psychic abilities after a fall at school. |
| Inspiration | Inspired by Stephen King’s “The Dead Zone,” injected with humor within a high school setting. |
| Acting | Ignacio Diaz-Silverio shines as Javier, with good chemistry with Ireon Roach as Bianca. |
| Supporting Characters | Characters like William and Bianca lack depth beyond their initial roles. |
| Story Elements | Familiar character tropes and unresolved plot points like the swimming-pool kill. |
| Filmmaking | Inconsistent sound quality, pacing, and potential for improvement highlighted by the ending. |
