

Movie spotlight
Cooties
This off-beat melodrama centers around a teenage boy, whose helicopter parents do not know his best friend is a sex toy.
Insights
Plot Summary
A mysterious virus infects a group of elementary school students, turning them into a feral, flesh-eating horde. A group of teachers must band together and fight for their survival as the contagion spreads throughout the school. The teachers, including a jaded substitute teacher, find themselves trapped in a desperate battle against their own students.
Critical Reception
Cooties received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who often found its premise amusing but felt the execution was uneven. While some appreciated its dark humor and attempts at satire, many criticized the predictable plot and lack of sustained tension. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some enjoying the B-movie horror-comedy vibe and others finding it to be a forgettable entry in the genre.
What Reviewers Say
The film's satirical premise and darkly humorous moments are often undercut by a predictable plot and a lack of genuine scares.
While the cast delivers committed performances, they struggle to elevate the material beyond its B-movie roots.
Cooties offers a few laughs and some gory fun but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity for sharper commentary.
Google audience: Google users found the movie to be a "guilty pleasure" with some genuinely funny moments and a unique premise. However, many also noted that the film could be repetitive and didn't fully capitalize on its potential, leading to a "hit-or-miss" experience for audiences.
Fun Fact
The film's original script was written by Leigh Whannell and Ian Brennan, who were both involved in the "Saw" franchise and "Glee," respectively. Whannell eventually left the project, but Brennan remained as a writer.
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