School's Out Forever (2021) User Reviews (46)

All the potential went right out the window...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 19 April 2021]

I have to admit that when I read that the movie was set to take place during the aftermath of an apocalyptic event, I was a bit thrilled and interested in watching this 2021 movie from writer and director Oliver Milburn.

And so I did.

But the movie wasn't really what I had hoped for. Sure, "School's Out Forever" was watchable, but this was just a movie that ended up being too mundane and bland. It was essentially the storyline that failed to entertain me, as I had expected a bit more from the movie than what it turned out to be.

Initially the movie started out alright and it seemed to be heading in the right way as the apocalyptic event started to take place, but then writer and director Oliver Milburn sent the movie on a journey down a sloped hill; a journey from which "School's Out Forever" never bounced back. The story settled into a slump and ended up being nothing more than mediocre actually.

It should be noted, though, that the acting performances in the movie were definitely good from everyone on the cast list. So that was certainly something that carried the movie a great long way. And the characters that the actors and actresses had to work with were well enough detailed and fleshed out. Just a shame that the storyline itself sort of sank into the mud and never got back on track.

Ultimately, while I managed to sit through the entire ordeal that is "School's Out Forever", then this wasn't a noteworthy or memorable movie experience. It was watchable, yeah, but that was essentially all there was to it.

My rating of the 2021 movie "School's Out Forever" lands on a very bland and mediocre five out of ten stars.

Kinda slightly above average

[mjb301086 · 6/10 · 17 February 2021]

This wasn't awful by any stretch of the imagination but it also was really that great. It worth a watch if you have nothing better to do. Generous 6.5/10

Did not disappoint.

[LordCommandar · 6/10 · 16 February 2021]

A very fresh perspective on a virus outbreak pandemic and the fallout of who's left at an all boys school and the neighboring town's people. Fast paced, graphic and very well executed. Personally I didn't care for ending too much only because of what happened between the two best friends (no spoliers). Having said that, this film did not disappoint at all. Young actors who were spot on and a script that wasn't nonsensical. A definite recommend.

Watchable

[Sergiodave · 5/10 · 18 February 2021]

Can't really understand the hate for this movie, it's an okay watch, completely unbelievable, but that's why its called fiction. Fine to pass the time.

It was surprisingly quite good, but it could've easily been great

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 16 February 2021]

This is newb filmmaker Oliver Milburn's second full length feature film as editor, writer and director, with only a few previous shorts on his resume. His main forte has been Visual Effects on some popular TV shows, and that talent was evident here.

The cinematography and his directing was very impressive, as was the score, landscape and sets. Casting and performances were all great and convincing. This story, adapted from the Schools Out novels by Scott K. Andrews, is cross between Lord Of The Flies, Shaun Of The Dead, Red Dawn and The Road. As a movie, Milburn's screenplay certainly could've used some edits from a seasoned writer. It had some pacing and continuity problems, as well as some plot and technical issues. I felt some scenes were too long and/or unnecessary. I'm sure the sealed letter he held onto (no spoilers) for most of the first act was a metaphor, I think, but it wasn't elaborated. In the 105 min runtime, "a lot" happens in the last 20 minutes, but anything prior felt too long and somewhat unnecessary. It would've been much better if his screenplay had more substance, and less filler, and extending (the best part) more than the 20 mins. Even cutting out much from the early parts and leaving the last 20 mins untouched but with the overall runtime no more than 85-90 mins, I would have enjoyed it much more.

Overall for a young newb filmmaker, this UK production was very well executed. Had the writing been tighter, it would have been great. Did I enjoy it enough to recommend it? Yes. Would I see it again? No.

don't like them

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 12 March 2021]

Troublemaker Lee Keegan gets kicked out of an all-boys private school. Soon after, the world is hit with an apocalyptic pandemic and only those who have O neg blood type survive. He goes back to the school to rendezvous with his mother who is trying to journey home.

I have a tough time rooting for anybody other than the nurse. First, the main kid is a brat. He's annoyingly whiney while trying to project boyish charms. His friend is a psychopath. The boys are mostly Lord-of-the-Flies proto-frat-boys. They spend their time drinking rather than preparing for the inevitable attack. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that they didn't rape the paralyzed prisoner. The teacher is pathetic and arrogant. I don't like most of these people. I do like the nurse's final act. I like some of the action. It would help if Lee is a more likeable character.

I suspected less, but definitely was surprised.

[xxxNomadicxxx · 6/10 · 15 February 2021]

This isn't a bad watch by no means. It has its drama, action, and a story line to go with it.

illogical hogwash

[pietclausen · 1/10 · 17 February 2021]

Based on the Afterblight chronicles book, School's Out, it should be a slick movie, but it is nothing but illogical hogwash. The kids and teacher haven't got a clue what to do in a silly roundabout as survivors in their school.

Made For TV Movie

[TharsheyN · 6/10 · 16 August 2021]

The movie was okay, the main character thou was a let down. His school is being attacked, the ladies daughter is crippled and she wants revenge... Mac his best friend sets out a defense plan to protect the school. Lee is useless, doesn't shoot anyone and because of that more of his friends die.

Mac does what is needed to protect the school and his friends, in the end Lee finally grows a pair and pulls the trigger but instead of it being an enemy he blows his best friends head up.

Mac did go to far when he killed their teacher but Lee could have been there to hold him in check as the rest of his ideas and decisions where for the best.

Storyline wise it's nothing special, pandemic, no law and order, shootout at the school.

6/10 from me, great performance by the actor who played Mac and Matron. Lee pretty much just walked around with his mouth hanging open half the time...

Wouldn't recommend if you're looking for a good movie to watch, would recommend if you looking for a okay movie to pass the time with and have a laugh or two.

Not a comedy

[andyfknight · 5/10 · 23 November 2021]

This is not a comedy in the slightest way. It should definitely not be categorized as such. That being said, it's an alright apocalyptic/pandemic film. I just went into it expecting something totally different.

Recommended

[muppetsprout · 10/10 · 17 February 2021]

Enjoyed this film alot. Beautifully shot, fantastic visual effects and some funny moments too. For a thriller/horror this film is not over the top or predictable. Would highly recommend & look forward to seeing more from this director in the future.

good action ,decent production, well directed.

[surfisfun · 7/10 · 15 February 2021]

Start as a comedy, then black humor to more drama with gruesome moments. i was expecting a dud, but i was surprise and please overall with the actors. Because of covid times , it deserve an 8 . Soundtracks and soundscape also good.

Movie snub says it's not half bad

[tiffanyscampbell-812-891928 · 3/10 · 16 January 2023]

Let me preface this by saying I am a movie snob. I worked in the field for a while so I looked at it differently.

That being said it is not half bad. It's like Lord of the Flies married Commando and had a baby during the pandemic. It starts out as a comedy and then gets dark quickly. Children take shelter in their school after a pandemic breaks out. Only people of a certain blood type can survive the outbreak. Anarchy ensues as people start to die.

A girl breaks into the school and causes more trouble than anyone was ready for and the children have to do what they can to survive.

Never leave children in charge. 🤣🤣🤣

England is gone if they act according to their woke SHTF movies...

[anynameoriginal · 4/10 · 16 February 2021]

Cringe worthy is all I can think when viewing movies like this. The stupid, it hurts. The ending probable hurt more than anything. If the lead "baddie" had half a hair of leadership (listened to her military advisor before he went loco too), the "siege" would lasted about 4 minutes. The movie does not go into detail about the virus, but lets just say if it spread with any effectiveness, there wouldn't of been a non-contaminated person in any capacity. Funny the movie makes comments against ownership of guns, but sure highlights two of the needs for them (self preservation, defense against a corrupt government). The concept of using the hostage as an ace in the hole totally got bypassed, as did the concept on being on the same page leadership wise. Give me an intelligent lead instead of someone that flips back and forth between the moral dilemmas in the heat of the battle (and on the other hand, someone that goes total salvage without thinking about their actions).

I would give this a 5.5/10 (it is entertaining), but that ending ruined any momentum. But don't worry, our hero is going to walk to the coast with a backpack (and make it about 2 miles in my estimations).

Pretty good

[terri-63519 · 7/10 · 29 May 2023]

I kept thinking of "Taps".

Everything about it just kept reminding me of "Taps". The boys' school and the military boys' school, the little bitty kids taking up guns, the older boys taking command...the only difference was this movie is in England and "Taps" is in the US.

Also, this is tagged as a comedy? We've been watching British movies, series, comedy, well...EVERY genre for years and years, but I can't remember ever seeing a movie THAT mislabeled.

So, don't go in, thinking it's a dark comedy or anything. Take it for what it is; a bad situation gone so bad, there is no coming back.

But it's well acted and a pretty good movie.

Schools Out Dystopia Style .,

[elidav · 5/10 · 4 September 2021]

Apocalypse set in a School so you get a chance to see people killed with Javelins , Sulphuric Acid ( Conc ), School Ties , Bunsen Burners , Library Books etc which makes a nice change !

Quite Enjoyed It

[logger6713 · 7/10 · 1 July 2021]

I fell upon this. It had just started so I watched it and found it pretty good. Well shot and quite gripping.

Give it a go, you may enjoy it too.

Nothing funny here

[jganson-33613 · 3/10 · 2 November 2021]

Why this has a comedy label attached to it bewilders me. Just a waste of 1 hour and forty minutes. I would stop the review at that but they seem to require 150 characters so I have to ramble on pointlessly. Sort of like this movie waste your time.

from a country stiving...

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 16 February 2021]

With heavy pandemic issues in real time and a rather rusty filmindustry, this is a progress on moviemaking that i hope will proceed in the years to come...

its a apocalyptic drama where a virus, seemingly much more deadly than the corona variants we're dealing with in situ, more like the black plague kind of disease is my guess. its played out at a ''private school'' for boys with posh students and rather old fashion administrative structures and orders. its a pretty locked up, closed fence society with little input from the outer world, so when one of the students gets expelled for pranking the schools property, he is met with societal decay and selfjustice due to pandemic panic and has to protect his own home and ill father with anything at hand. eventually he gets back to the school premises where the fortification of the school has already begun.

its a film about inner justice, prowling,vigilantees murder as selfdefence and murder to survive. its also a film that creates and differs men from humans and heros from humans, and woman into monsters.

its a well acted movie , even though there are some pretty mediocre theater in periods, but that is more a lack of fantasy and a rigorious way of direction by the directors,writers and producers. so the acting rescources and loads of additional scientific material could have been used to make it even better, but when the tough gets going it gets hot, and ill admit that my shoulders were up under my ears at moments.

the squemish viewer will for surtain ask why, what, where and how come, e.g. howcome these students were immunized and not becoming ill after being in touch with the lepracons, and where is the governments task forces. its also an issue how to make an end to a story like this, i didnt like the finals, but it gives some opportunities for a sequeling update in the near future.

so one songs chimes in my ears after viewing thish british pandemic havoc, cause frankie goes to hollywood once sang'' when two tribes goes to war ,a point is all that you can score''. let this be the point as the grumpy old man gives a recommend. it is what it is, a progression in quality filmaking, done with a twist even though the generic replication here and there.

I just can't moved on.

[ashdgmac · 4/10 · 7 July 2021]

I literally have a lot to say, but i would go on a point.

I liked the movie, i like the cinematography and everything, the production and so on. You know, people would literally love any movie, but it depends on the ending part. I don't know but the ending has a lot of impact to the viewers. I would go with what Happened to the best friend at the end. I can also accept what or if that should what will happen between them but i was looking for something little moment of regret for what he did for his friend, like even from his reaction before he left him.

I should give give 7 point for the ending but I have to give 1 point for it. (Sorry, it ruined my moment and can't move on for that, it breaks my heart so deep) 3/3 points for the story line and everything from the production for that awesome and great work.

But i highly recommend this movie, it just me who doesn't fit for that kind of ending.

Darkly comic and fun thriller

[mbaugh-99605 · 9/10 · 17 February 2021]

Wasn't sure what to expect from this film and it did not disappoint. There's excellent performances, storytelling, action and funny moments throughout. Milburn pulls it all together with a nippy script, slick editing, and a few surprises along the way.

It's clear from the opening scenes punches will not be pulled (nor anything else that can conceivably be weaponised), and doesn't let up until the bloody end. However, it confidently walks the line between not glorifying violence whilst maintaining intrigue over what creatively insane action sequence is coming next. There's clear nods to other British greats like Shaun of the Dead and Misfits aplenty.

Best movie I've seen in a long time.

[simon-1233 · 7/10 · 11 March 2021]

Kept me engaged all the time and will definetly watch it again if friends come over. It was tense, slightly funny, and well acted. Have already suggested it to other members of the family to watch. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie and the people were real and relateable. Guessing not a mega budget but it knocked the socks of a lot of films just due to entertainment factor. Would have given it 10 stars as it really entertained but with common sense gave it seven...But again a really good movie.

Survival at Boarding School

[RobAKehoe · 7/10 · 3 March 2021]

Good action/horror survival movie with decent characters and acting. The ending was the only let down for me and I felt it tried to preach to the audience with it being a bit unrealistic how things turned out. But throughout the movie I was gripped.

Rather fun in a gory way...good acting

[danew13 · 6/10 · 9 March 2021]

The story was that of castle siege during a devastating pandemic...a decent plot and good acting from a young cast. I had reservations before, but liked it after.

Better than I expected!

[wendy-manis23 · 7/10 · 7 March 2021]

Good movie. Was a slow burn for the first half but I found myself getting more and more into it. The acting isn't bad, it was well made, wasn't the best writing but I enjoyed myself.