“Bad Apples” arrived at TIFF with the look of a familiar schoolroom story, but the film quickly shattered that frame. What followed was a biting dark comedy that thrived on the chaos between a teacher and her most disruptive student, pushing both into increasingly outrageous territory. The movie builds into a sharp and unsettling satire, powered by two performances that never flinch.

Saoirse Ronan plays Marie, a young teacher determined to reach every student, even the one most parents and staff have long given up on. Her classroom is filled with plenty of energy and frustration, but her biggest obstacle is Danny, a ten-year-old whose gift for disruption turns every lesson into a battlefield. Newcomer Eddie Waller makes a remarkable debut as the pint-sized agent of chaos, channeling a mix of menace and mischief that keeps both Marie and the audience guessing.

When Marie takes drastic measures to contain Danny’s behavior, the film morphs into a twisted power struggle that grows stranger by the day. What might sound grim on paper plays on screen with a wicked sense of humor. Director Jonathan Etzler maintains a crisp pace and sharp edge, drawing uncomfortable laughs straight from the bold extremes of Marie’s actions. 

Ronan, nominated for several Oscars for past dramatic roles, proves she can play in a different register without missing a beat. She stays true to Marie’s perspective, turning escalating absurdity into humor that feels unsettlingly believable. 

Waller matches her with a performance that is both unhinged and unexpectedly sympathetic. Danny could have been a cartoonish troublemaker, but Waller’s performance suggests hurt and neglect beneath the tantrums. His scenes with Ronan generate the film’s most electric and at times, genuine, moments.

Nia Brown also stands out as Pauline, a classmate whose cunning rivals the adults. Her friend-to-foe turn not only adds a jolt of tension to the story, but also provides some of the film’s funnier moments.

It’s a bold premise, but “Bad Apples” never loses its nerve. Ronan anchors the madness with a performance that never loses its grip on the audience (or her students for that matter), while Waller announces himself as a talent to watch. At TIFF, “Bad Apples” makes its mark with sharp humor, unnerving charm, and a fearless take on dark comedy. 

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