Written by Taryn Crankshaw

Warning: This review is for Bad Apples, which is a film presented at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. There may be slight spoilers present. Reader discretion is advised.

Image courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Adapted from a book, De Oönskade, Rasmus Andersson, and directed by Jonatan Etzler (marking his English language film), Bad Apples is satire at its best: biting, dark and obscure. Screenwriter, Jess O’Kane, makes a stunning feature film debut with a script that’s as crisp and tart as a Granny Smith.

The film begins with a field trip to an apple factory gone wrong, resulting in a bad day for Maria (Saoirse Ronan), a well meaning but overwhelmed educator. Her biggest problem is her student, Danny (Eddie Waller), a rage fueled EF5 tornado, trapped in the body of a ten year old boy. His violent outbursts and fits results in an injured classmate and metaphorical migraine for Maria. However, things take a twisted turn when she manages to restrain him after one of his episodes and ultimately decides to hide him in her basement. At this point, Bad Apples could have played it safe making this a straight up drama, maybe something along the lines of Nadav Lapid’s 2014 hit, The Kindergarten Teacher. Instead, it takes the risky route, opting for a comedic tone. Given the nature of the situation, it’s a gamble but it works.

As the story plays out, not only does the plot become increasingly unhinged but so do the characters. Ronan, who never misses, manages to make us sympathize and root for her despite the fact that she’s kidnapped a child. In the second act, we’re treated to some lovely moments between her and Danny, who spins a 180 by letting his guard down to show some vulnerability. It should be noted that this is Waller's first film, and he plays off the seasoned Ronan like an absolute pro, evoking both terror and tenderness.

Perhaps, Apples excels best with how it handles tension. Brimming in every scene, the anxiety of every bad decision (and the consequences that follow) made by Maria is palpable. During my screening, I saw a wave of shoulders rising, and faces covering hands, especially during the bonkers third act. Watching the movie is almost like breathing exercise. One minute you're holding onto it for dear life and the next, and then someone drops one of O’Kane superb lines of dialogue, and you’re laughing. It’s an emotional roller coaster for not only the characters but the audience, making it an experience that is best watched with company.

A tale of morals and ethics of Bad Apples could make a class of Philosophy PhD candidates turn feral. Fitted with excellent performances, a fun script and solid ending, “Bad Apples” graduates with high honours. It should also be noted the film is also a portrayal of a teacher at her wits end and an institute unwilling to help. In recent years, there’s been a small but powerful uptick in the depiction of overworked and unsupported educators in the media. Television’s sitcom, Abbott Elementary (2021-) and the Oscar nominated drama, The Teacher’s Lounge (2023) spring to mind. “Bad Apples” joins its fellow onscreen comrades as a striking portrayal of an education system turned rotten and in thus, pushes those with good intentions sour.

Taryn Crankshaw is an actress and writer from Toronto, Canada. In 2023, her screenplay, "Big Day" reached the Top 15% of all Academy Nicholls Fellowship entries and was named Grand Prize Winner of the Hamilton Film Festival's Screenplay Competition (2022). In addition, she is also a graduate of the McMaster University's Film and Theatre Studies program, Second City Conservatory, and currently works for the Toronto International Film Festival.