A perfect weekend watch for fans of psychological narratives.
The Plague, the critically acclaimed thriller starring Joel Edgerton, has found a new streaming home in the UK. Boasting an impressive near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is shaping up to be an essential watch for fans of intense psychological dramas.
The story centers on Ben, a socially awkward 12-year-old attending a summer camp run by his father. There, he forms an unexpected friendship with Eli, a boy suffering from a fungal skin condition that has made him the target of relentless bullying from the other campers, who cruelly nickname him “The Plague.”
As tensions grow, Ben finds himself drawn into a disturbing culture of exclusion and fear.
According to the official synopsis, “Ben becomes entangled in a cruel, escalating ritual of scapegoating and fear. As the lines between teasing and real harm blur, Ben is forced to confront his own complicity and the terrifying cost of belonging.”
Written and directed by Charlie Polinger, The Plague has been described as a tense and unsettling coming-of-age thriller that explores masculinity, peer pressure, and the dark consequences that emerge when cruelty is dismissed as harmless fun.
Who is in The Plague?
• Everett Blunck as Ben
• Kayo Martin as Jake
• Kenny Rasmussen as Eli
• Joel Edgerton as Daddy Wags
• Lennox Espy as Julian
• Lucas Adler as Logan
• Elliott Heffernan as Tic Tac
• Caden Burris as Matt
What did the critics say about The Plague?
Upon its release last year, The Plague earned widespread acclaim from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting an impressive 97% approval rating based on 119 reviews. Audience reactions have been more divided, however, resulting in a 66% audience score.
Critics have been particularly enthusiastic about the film’s portrayal of adolescence and social dynamics.
The Curb praised the thriller as a standout in the coming-of-age genre, writing that The Plague “earns its place in the pantheon of nerve-wracking coming-of-age stories.”
Meanwhile, Collider described it as “one of the most vital movies in recent memory” when it comes to capturing the emotional reality of being 12 or 13 years old.
Slant Magazine also highlighted the film’s unsettling authenticity, noting that it is “vividly, terrifyingly attuned to the way children create a social order that resists sensible adult intrusion and influence.”
The Houston Chronicle was equally complimentary, calling the film “gripping” and comparing the experience to a lingering bad dream. The review added that the movie creates a constant sense of unease, making viewers feel as though something sinister could happen at any moment.
Where can I watch The Plague?
The Plague is available on both Sky Cinema and NOW, having been added to the streamers over the weekend. They both require a subscription – Sky Cinema costs £10 a month on top of a normal TV package, while the Cinema package with NOW costs £6.99 a month.
Other Joel Edgerton movies you can stream right now
Joel Edgerton is well known to Star Wars fans for his role as Owen Lars, appearing in Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and later reprising the character in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. Those titles, along with the spy thriller Red Sparrow, are available to stream on Disney+.
Viewers looking to catch Edgerton’s acclaimed performance in Train Dreams can find the film on Netflix. Meanwhile, Zero Dark Thirty, Master Gardener, and Thirteen Lives are all available to stream on Prime Video.
The Plague is streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW.
