Detention Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teens get detention, time travel, fight aliens, and someone gets axed…I think?

🍿 Detention: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Murder and Introduction to Grizzly Lake High

The film opens with Taylor Fisher, a popular high schooler, delivering a sarcastic guide to high school life before being brutally murdered by a killer dressed as ‘Cinderhella’, a horror movie villain. The narrative then shifts to Riley Jones, a cynical outcast with a broken leg, who contemplates suicide but is interrupted. This sets the stage for the quirky and chaotic events to unfold at Grizzly Lake High.

Suspicion and Initial Attacks

Following Taylor’s murder, tensions rise as the students become aware of the Cinderhella copycat killer. Riley becomes a target and survives multiple attacks, leading to suspicion and paranoia among the students. Key characters such as Clapton Davis, Ione Foster, Billy Nolan, and Sander Sanderson are introduced, each with their own quirks and potential motives.

Detention and Time Travel Revelations

Due to the escalating murders and a compromising video involving Riley, Principal Verge assigns detention to the main suspects. During detention, the students uncover bizarre connections, including Ione switching minds with her mother in 1992 via alien technology. They also discover a hidden time machine within the school’s mascot, leading to chaotic time-travel escapades.

Altering the Past and Final Confrontation

Riley and Clapton travel back to 1992 in an attempt to prevent a bomb explosion caused by a younger Principal Verge and Sander. Their actions alter the present, creating a new reality where Verge is married to Ione’s mother, and the students are popular. However, the killer, Sander, resurfaces, leading to a final confrontation at prom involving magnetic fields and the school mascot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Riley Jones (Shanley Caswell): Riley is a cynical outcast who becomes entangled in a series of murders linked to a horror movie villain.
• Clapton Davis (Josh Hutcherson): Clapton is a laid-back hipster who is liked by everyone, including Riley, and is caught up in the time-traveling chaos.
• Ione (Spencer Locke): Ione is a cheerleader and Clapton’s girlfriend who switches bodies with her mother to maintain her popularity.
• Principal Verge (Dane Cook): Principal Verge is the school principal who dislikes Clapton and finds himself caught in the bizarre events unfolding at Grizzly Lake High.
• Sander Sanderson (N/A): Sander is Clapton’s friend who is secretly the Cinderhella killer and obsessed with changing the timeline.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Taylor Fisher: “I’m Taylor Fisher and I’m a B**CH – beauty, intelligence, talent, charisma, hoobastank.” – Taylor’s opening line is a sarcastic introduction, showcasing her character’s self-aware and satirical nature before her untimely demise.
• Principal Verge: “I know it looks like such a lighthearted, feel-good comedy, being an expecting teenage mom, but let me tell you something – I’ve been principal at this school for five years. Let me tell both of you something – pregnant teenagers are never funny, ever.” – Principal Verge’s line is a sarcastic jab at teen pregnancy tropes, highlighting his cynical view of high school life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $44,444
• Worldwide Gross: $44,444

💥 Detention Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Detention’ is insane. Absolutely bonkers. At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on, but then I just embraced the chaos. The jokes fly by so fast, you might miss half of them, but it’s worth it for the sheer absurdity. The time travel bit with the bear? Hilarious! I honestly don’t know if I loved it or hated it, but I definitely couldn’t look away. It’s like a fever dream you can’t escape, but in the best way possible.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of horror-comedy films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fast-paced, quirky movies”
  • “Audiences interested in films with time travel and sci-fi elements”
  • “Those who appreciate self-aware and satirical narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Teenage drug use”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Screen Anarchy: “Joseph Kahn’s Detention is a frenetic, pop-culture-infused rollercoaster that defies genre conventions. It’s a wild ride, not for the faint of heart, and you’ll need multiple viewings to catch everything. A truly unique and audacious vision.
• Bloody Disgusting: “Detention earns its place among the criminally underseen horror-comedies. Its blend of genres, razor-sharp wit, and breakneck pace create a viewing experience that’s both exhilarating and challenging. If you’re tired of the same old tropes, this is a breath of fresh air.
• IMDb User Review: “Detention is like Heathers, Donnie Darko, and The Breakfast Club on acid, with a Red Bull soda chaser. Super fun and destined to be a cult classic.

Audience Reactions

Viewers either love it for its originality or hate it for its confusing plot.: The film’s fast pace, pop-culture references, and unique style resonate with younger audiences.

Some viewers found the characters engaging and the dialogue witty, despite the complicated story.: The blend of horror, comedy, and sci-fi elements creates an entertaining, if chaotic, viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: Detention is a polarizing film. Its unique blend of genres and frenetic pace appeal to some, while others find it confusing and over-the-top. It’s a cult film in the making, but definitely not for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Joseph Kahn has stated that securing music licenses for the circular tracking shot in the library, which depicted various musical eras, was the most expensive aspect of the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Detention?

As of October 2024, ‘Detention’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for current availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Detention, you might like these similar films:

• Scream (1996): Both films blend horror and comedy while satirizing slasher movie tropes.
• Heathers (1988): Features dark humor and satire of high school cliques and social hierarchies.
• Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010): Shares a fast-paced, visually stylized approach with pop culture references.
• The Cabin in the Woods (2011): Subverts horror genre expectations with meta-commentary and self-aware humor.

🛒 Detention Related Products

• Detention (Blu-ray): Own the cult classic on Blu-ray and experience the madness in high definition, complete with behind-the-scenes extras and director commentary. Perfect for repeat viewings to catch every hidden detail.
• Heathers (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A classic black comedy, Heathers is one of the films most frequently compared to Detention. This Criterion Collection release comes with special features.
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World [Blu-ray]: Another film often compared to Detention, those who like Detention will want to see Scott Pilgrim. This Blu-ray edition comes with special features.
• Scream [Blu-Ray]: One of the all-time classic teen slashers, this film is perfect for those who enjoy the slasher aspects of Detention.

🎧 Soundtrack

Detention features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Frenchy’s” – performed by Holy Fuck

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A scared Julynn breaks all the rules just to stay in detention 😱😱

Ever felt like breaking the rules just to avoid something even worse? Julynn’s detention antics are hilarious and way too relatable. See how far she goes to stay put!

How to go to detention on the first day of school 😖

Starting school can be tough, but getting detention on day one? That’s a whole other level! Check out this funny guide on how *not* to behave in class.

Bart discovered a new talent in himself 😲 The Simpsons #simpsons

Remember that time Bart discovered a hidden talent? It’s a classic Simpsons moment that still cracks me up! You have to see how it unfolds.

✨ Rate