🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Danishka Esterhazy
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 42min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (18K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girls in a fancy prison learn that being clean and obedient might not get you adopted, but it WILL get your face peeled off for rich people.
🍿 Level 16: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Vestalis Academy
Sixteen-year-old Vivien resides in the Vestalis Academy, a strict boarding school where young girls are taught virtues like obedience, cleanliness, and docility. They believe they are being prepared for adoption by wealthy families in a world ravaged by toxic air. The girls are isolated, never seeing the outside world and adhering to a rigid routine enforced by Miss Brixil and Dr. Miro.

Reunion and Suspicion
Vivien is reunited with Sophia, a former friend she felt betrayed by years ago. Sophia challenges Vivien’s beliefs about the academy, urging her to stop taking the daily ‘vitamins.’ Vivien complies and soon discovers the true effects of the pills: they induce a deep sleep, during which the girls are subjected to unknown procedures. This sparks Vivien’s suspicion, and she starts questioning the academy’s motives.

Uncovering the Truth
Together, Vivien and Sophia investigate the academy, uncovering a horrifying truth. They discover that the girls are being raised as sources for skin grafts for wealthy, older women seeking rejuvenation. The academy is a front for a human trafficking operation run by Dr. Miro and Miss Brixil, connected to a Russian mob. The virtues they are taught are merely to ensure their skin remains flawless and obedient.

Escape and Rescue
Determined to escape, Vivien and Sophia plan their escape. They face numerous challenges, including the academy’s strict security and the ever-watchful eyes of Miss Brixil and the guards. Eventually, they manage to outsmart their captors, expose the operation, and alert the authorities. The film culminates with the girls being rescued, finally seeing the outside world they were told was poisonous.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Vivien (Katie Douglas): A sixteen-year-old girl trapped in a prison-like academy, who seeks the truth behind her confinement.
- Sophia (Celina Martin): Vivien’s former friend who reunites with her and urges her to question the academy’s motives.
- Miss Brixil (Sara Canning): The woman in charge of the Vestalis Academy, enforcing strict rules and maintaining a deceptive facade.
- Dr. Miro (Peter Outerbridge): The physician at the academy, complicit in the sinister activities occurring within its walls.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Miro: “Vitamins are necessary for healthy growing bodies. Vitamins prevent disease. Take your vitamin now.” – This mantra is repeated constantly over the intercom, emphasizing the forced conformity and control.
- Vivien: “Each hall has its top girl, and in this hall, it’s me.” – Shows Vivien’s initial hardened attitude and drive for perfection within the Academy.
- Sophia: “Stop taking the vitamins.” – Sophia warns Vivien that the vitamins are part of the manipulation, leading to their rebellion.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $15,575
💥 Level 16 Reviews
Personal Review
Level 16 really creeped me out! I thought it was a cool premise to start, but as the story unravelled and the mystery got deeper it became even more thought provoking. The ending really resonated with me – I like movies that stick with you long after you’ve watched them and ask questions.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dystopian thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in social commentary on beauty standards”
- “Those who enjoy character-driven stories with suspenseful plots”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Themes of exploitation and human trafficking”
- “Some disturbing and violent scenes”
- “Mature thematic elements”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “Level 16 is a chilling and thought-provoking thriller. The film is well-crafted, with strong performances from the young cast, particularly Katie Douglas. Its dark atmosphere and suspenseful plot make it a compelling watch, exploring themes of exploitation and the pressure for female perfection.
- Slash Film: “The film’s cinematography, colors, and score were perfection in achieving a constant and engaging eerie atmosphere. Mad props and respect to Danishka Esterhazy for this thrilling and suspenseful ride. It’s a near-perfect 9/10 from me.
Audience Reactions
The movie had an amazing plot, was well acted, and had an amazing story.: Viewers praised the film’s ability to create suspense and tension, keeping them engaged throughout.
Fans admired the movie’s acting and praised the lead actors, especially Katie Douglas.: The film does a great job of capturing the scary idea behind the whole “perfect girl” complex.
Overall Consensus: Level 16 offers a suspenseful and thought-provoking dystopian thriller that explores themes of exploitation and the quest for perfection.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in an abandoned Toronto police station, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.”
- “All of the girls are named after classic Hollywood actresses: Vivien (Leigh), Sophia (Loren), Ava (Gardner), Rita (Hayworth), Olivia (de Havilland), Clara (Bow), Hedy (Lamarr), Audrey (Hepburn), Grace (Kelly), Veronica (Lake), Greta (Garbo), May/Mae (West), and Natalie (Wood).”
🖥️ How to Watch Level 16?
Currently, ‘Level 16’ is available for streaming on Showtime. You may also find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Availability might vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Level 16, you might like these similar films:
- The Island (2005): Shares the theme of manufactured humans for organ harvesting and the discovery of a false reality.
- Never Let Me Go (2010): Explores similar themes of manufactured people raised for organ donation with a focus on their emotional lives.
- The Handmaid’s Tale (1990): Features a dystopian world where women are controlled and exploited for their bodies.
🛒 Level 16 Related Products
- The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood (Paperback): A novel with a similar dystopian theme of female control and rebellion. Explores oppressive societies and the fight for freedom. Compares to Level 16 in terms of social and political themes.
- Black Mirror: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of episodes from the series Black Mirror that features similar dystopian sci-fi content. Includes stories about oppressive tech, and mind-bending stories about control.
- Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro (Paperback): Another dystopian novel that explores themes of sacrifice and identity. Shares similar plot elements and underlying message, making it perfect for thoughtful viewers.
- Doris Day – The Essential Collection: Contains the track ‘I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Pray’rs)’, featured in Level 16, it contains a lot of other great hits by the iconic singer. Great for Level 16 fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
Level 16 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Level 16’ is a dystopian thriller about young girls in a boarding school who discover they are being raised for skin grafts to rejuvenate wealthy women. It explores themes of exploitation, control, and the obsession with beauty.
As of now, ‘Level 16’ is streaming on Showtime. Check platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options.
Yes, ‘Level 16’ shares thematic similarities with ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’ exploring dystopian control over women’s bodies and reproductive rights. However, ‘Level 16’ focuses on the beauty industry and skin grafts, while ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ centers on reproductive enslavement.
The main actors in ‘Level 16’ include Katie Douglas as Vivien, Celina Martin as Sophia, Sara Canning as Miss Brixil, and Peter Outerbridge as Dr. Miro.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Prison-Like School Raises Girls to Sell Them as Products to the Rich People
Want a quick rundown of ‘Level 16’ before diving in? This recap nails the creepy boarding school vibe and the disturbing secrets hidden within. Honestly, it’s a wild ride, and this video sets it up perfectly!
Level 16 (2018) Film Explained in Hindi/Urdu | Level Sixteen Evil Academy Summarized हिन्दी
Prefer to understand the film in Hindi/Urdu? This video breaks down the entire ‘Level 16’ plot, exploring its themes and suspenseful moments. Seriously, even if you’ve seen the movie, this explanation adds a whole new layer of understanding!
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