The Plague (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
Some movies scare you with monsters.
Some scare you with ghosts.
The Plague (2025) scares you with something far more real: childhood cruelty.
Directed and written by Charlie Polinger, this psychological coming-of-age drama takes place inside an all-boys water polo camp. On paper, it sounds simple. But once you start watching, you quickly realize that this is not an ordinary teen movie. It is an emotionally exhausting, deeply unsettling portrait of how bullying, peer pressure, and social hierarchy can slowly destroy a sensitive child.
I went into this movie expecting something closer to traditional horror. What I got instead was worse in the best possible way: a realistic nightmare that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.
Plot Overview: Survival Inside a Summer Camp
The Plague follows Ben, a socially awkward 12-year-old boy who attends a summer water polo camp. He is shy, empathetic, and desperately wants to fit in. Unlike most of the boys, he believes teamwork means supporting each other like family.
Unfortunately, the camp runs on a different system.
It is ruled by:
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Social status
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Cruel jokes
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Masculine competition
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Silent hierarchies
Soon, Ben becomes entangled in a disturbing rumor. The boys label another outcast, Eli, as having “the plague”—a fictional disease that supposedly spreads through touch. Anyone who interacts with Eli is mocked, isolated, and feared.
As Ben grows closer to Eli, he begins to fear becoming an outcast himself. Trapped between his conscience and his desire to belong, his anxiety slowly turns into psychological turmoil.
This is not a story about physical survival.
It is about emotional survival.
Not a Horror Movie—But More Terrifying Than One
Many viewers expect The Plague to be a traditional horror film. The atmosphere, music, and cinematography suggest something dark is coming.
But there are:
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No jump scares
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No monsters
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No cheap thrills
Instead, the movie builds tension through silence, stares, whispers, and social manipulation.
And somehow, that makes it more disturbing.
You keep waiting for something “big” to happen. It rarely does. The horror lives in everyday moments:
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Choosing where to sit
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Deciding who to talk to
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Entering the shower room
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Being laughed at quietly
These small decisions feel life-or-death inside a teenage social system. The movie understands that perfectly.
A Personal Reflection: Why This Movie Feels So Real
While watching The Plague, I couldn’t help thinking about my own school years.
Back in junior high, I remember how cruel kids could be. How rumors spread. How “being different” was enough to isolate someone. How people laughed along, even when they knew it was wrong.
The film reminded me of a classmate everyone called “weird.” She was quiet. She drew disturbing pictures. She kept to herself. People avoided her, whispered about her, and joked about her behind her back.
She never caused trouble.
She never hurt anyone.
She simply existed.
And yet, she was treated like something dangerous.
Watching Ben struggle in this movie brought back all those memories. It made me realize how many times I stayed silent when I should have spoken up. How many times I chose comfort over courage.
That is the power of this film. It doesn’t just entertain you. It forces you to reflect.
Cinematography and Sound Design: Creating Constant Anxiety
One of the strongest elements of The Plague is its technical execution.
Cinematography
The visuals are cold, restrained, and almost clinical.
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Many static shots
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Minimal camera movement
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Desaturated colors
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Tight framing
This style creates emotional distance while increasing discomfort. You feel like you’re observing a social experiment rather than watching a movie.
The underwater sequences are especially powerful. Watching bodies float, struggle, and collide in blue water becomes a metaphor for social confusion and emotional drowning.
Sound Design and Music
The sound design is outstanding.
Instead of loud music, the film relies on:
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Ambient noise
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Breathing
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Water sounds
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Awkward silences
When music appears, it feels eerie and invasive. It mirrors Ben’s anxiety and keeps you constantly on edge.
Many viewers praised this aspect—and rightly so. The sound alone can make you uncomfortable.
Performances: Everett Blunck Is Outstanding
Everett Blunck as Ben
Everett Blunck delivers an incredible performance.
His body language tells half the story:
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Hunched shoulders
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Nervous smiles
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Avoiding eye contact
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Shaky confidence
As the film progresses, you can see his transformation. He becomes more rigid, more frustrated, more desperate. It feels painfully real.
This is one of the most convincing portrayals of adolescent anxiety in recent years.
Kayo Martin and Supporting Cast
Kayo Martin plays Jake, the group’s leader and main instigator. He is charming, funny, and terrifying at the same time. You understand why others follow him—even when he’s cruel.
The rest of the young cast feels authentic. No one feels like a “movie kid.” They act like real boys.
Joel Edgerton as the Coach
Joel Edgerton plays the water polo coach with quiet warmth. He represents adult authority trying—and sometimes failing—to guide children ethically.
His character reminds us that adults often underestimate what kids go through.
Themes: Bullying, Masculinity, and Moral Pressure
At its core, The Plague is about:
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Bullying
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Group mentality
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Masculine identity
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Moral compromise
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Fear of isolation
The film shows how easily good intentions disappear when belonging is at stake.
Ben doesn’t want to hurt anyone.
But he also doesn’t want to be alone.
That internal conflict is the real “plague.”
The movie suggests that toxic masculinity and peer pressure are learned early. The cruelty of adulthood often starts here.
Where to Watch The Plague (2025) Online in the USA
Currently, The Plague (2025) is available for digital rental and purchase on:
Rent / Buy Platforms
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Google Play Movies
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Amazon Prime Video
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Apple TV
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Plex
Availability may change over time. For the latest updates, check:
👉 https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-plague-2025
This site shows real-time streaming options in the United States.
Is The Plague Worth Watching?
You Should Watch This If:
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You enjoy psychological dramas
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You like realistic coming-of-age films
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You care about social themes
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You appreciate slow-burn storytelling
You May Not Like This If:
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You want light entertainment
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You prefer fast-paced action
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You dislike uncomfortable stories
This is not a “feel-good” movie. It is emotionally demanding. But it is also meaningful.
Final Verdict: A Quietly Devastating Masterpiece
The Plague (2025) is not an easy watch.
It is slow.
It is uncomfortable.
It is emotionally draining.
But it is also honest, powerful, and deeply human.
Charlie Polinger’s debut shows rare maturity and confidence. He doesn’t manipulate emotions. He lets reality speak for itself.
This film proves that the scariest stories don’t need monsters.
Sometimes, they only need a classroom, a swimming pool, and a group of insecure kids trying to survive.
If you haven’t seen The Plague (2025) yet, I strongly recommend giving it a chance.
Watch it.
Sit with it.
Reflect on it.
And maybe, after watching, you’ll think twice the next time you see someone being isolated or judged.
Because silence is never neutral.
Check availability on your favorite platform and start watching today.
