The Daily Think

In the vast landscape of science fiction cinema, “The Faculty” stands out as a unique bad-ass film that blends teenage

melodrama with extraterrestrial invasion, wrapped in a cocoon of suspense and a healthy dose of social commentary. Released in 1998 and directed by Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City, El Mariachi!) this film takes viewers on a wild ride through the halls of high school where an unlikely alliance between a geek, athlete, outcast, delinquent, and innocent barbie forms to combat a sinister force threatening to take over the world. However, what sets the shit on fire for “The Faculty” and other alien invasion flicks is its unexpected twist: The use of drugs as a tool for salvation! What they did the quiet part out loud!?

SPOILERS AHEAD

BASIC ALIEN STATISTICS

Set in any town USA High School where dance man and singer Usher (well before his Super Bowl appearance) is a hard-hitting defensive back built like a young Ronnie Lott, the movie initially unfolds in your typical high school fashion, introducing us to a diverse cast of characters. Enter the Geek: Casey (Elijah Wood) to the delinquent dealer Zeke (Josh Hartnett), each character embodies a familiar high school archetype. However, as strange occurrences begin to unfold, it becomes evident that something far more sinister is at play. And not just some creepy teacher/student relationship sinister either.

1990’s DREAM TEAM OF A CAST
The catalyst for the unfolding chaos comes in the form of an otherworldly slithery parasite that infects the school’s faculty members first, turning them into ruthless, mind-controlling beings. Ruthless as in calm, looking shinier, thirsty for water and being pleasant to the students, all qualify as weird behavior for any faculty real or imagined! But before we go on, let’s look at the cast for that faculty, we had the T-1000, Salma foot in your mouth Hayek, Jon

“Daily Show” Stewart, and George Costanza’s boss on Seinfeld. Oh yeah, let’s never forget Xenia Onnatop, Jean Grey, Famke Jansen as a bookish but screaming hottie underneath her intimidated 11th grade English teacher. And in this corner a group of students led by Casey, Zeke, and the intelligent Delilah (Jordana Brewster, yeah the Fast and Furious original hottie) must band together to uncover the truth behind the invasion and put an end to it before it’s too late. They are joined by the QB who doesn’t want to be a football player, the outcast Stokely and her smokey eyed makeup, and some new student resembling your Sunday school blonde on 7th Heaven, and you got a heck of a battle between 1990’s movie stars.

WAIT, IT’S A SERIOUS COMMENTARY ON TEENAGERS?
But What sets “The Faculty” apart from its genre counterparts is its realistic take on themes such as teenage identity, peer group conformity, and the power dynamics within a high school setting. You, me, we all went through them and we all hated it, benefited from it, and survived it, but we all remember it! The film cleverly uses the metaphor of alien possession similar to the Invasion of the Body Snatchers to comment on the pressures of adolescence and the struggles of navigating the social hierarchy. Each character grapples with their own insecurities and desires for acceptance, making them relatable and compelling protagonists. Bottom line, the choice between being taken over by the alien and joining Usher and the football team and the Faculty versus living your difficult and challenging teenage life, you can see why the alien was super successful in taking over 99% of the school.

JUST SAY YES TO DRUGS AND NO TO ALIENS
However, where “The Faculty” truly shines is in its subversion of expectations regarding the role of drugs within the narrative. Throughout the film, Zeke is the quintessential bad boy drug dealer, known for his rebellious attitude (Josh Hartnett’s Rebel Without a Pause) and a penchant for selling illicit substances to his classmates that he made himself. Initially presented as a mere troublemaker, Zeke’s character takes on a new dimension when his knowledge of drugs becomes instrumental in combating the alien threat. We usually have a scientist in the role of savior, but this time we got a drug dealer to save the earth.

As the students race against time, a scary football team still in their pads, and a Faculty bent on making you conform the gang of misfits uncover a weakness in the alien parasites where Zeke reveals that a combination of caffeine and his homemade drug, “scat,” can incapacitate the infected faculty members. Through the use of a Ballpoint Bic Pen, Zeek distributes his drugs with ruthless efficiency throughout the movie. Even selling some to a future real life Criminal from “That 70’s Show.” Suddenly, Zeke’s expertise in Walter Whiting transforms him from a delinquent to a hero, challenging preconceived notions about the societal stigma surrounding drug use. “The Faculty” doesn’t shy away from depicting the consequences of drug abuse, as seen through the struggles of characters like Stokely (Clea DuVall), who grapples with addiction throughout the film. However, it also presents a nuanced portrayal of how substances can be utilized for a greater purpose when wielded responsibly.

SO ALIENS CAN’T HANDLE HUMAN DRUGS
In the climactic showdown between the students and the infected faculty, Zeke’s unconventional weapon proves to be the key to their survival. Delivered to the alien by the most unlikely of Frodo’s and by embracing their ingenuity and resourcefulness, the students defy the odds and emerge victorious, illustrating the power of teamwork and thinking outside the box. Oh and that Drugs saved the day.

WHAT THE HELL DID WE LEARN FROM THIS MOVIE?
Through its inventive premise and engaging characters, “The Faculty” delivers a thought-provoking story that challenges you Blockbuster Loving readers to reconsider your assumptions about heroism and the role of drugs in society. By embracing themes of empowerment and resilience, the film offers a refreshing take on the classic alien invasion trope, cementing its status as a cult classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.