Archive · 12 Nov 2025
The Plague Trailer Released, Explores Bullying at Water Polo Camp
Imagine a summer camp for water polo, but instead of fun, it's pretty tough for a shy 12-year-old boy named Ben.
Some kids at the camp are mean and bully him.
They even create a pretend illness called 'the plague' and pretend to give it to someone who is an outcast.
Ben starts to worry that this game might be more serious than it seems.
The movie shows his difficult journey as he deals with these bullies.
It's a story about growing up and facing harsh situations.
The film was shown at a big movie festival in France and will be in theaters soon, with stars like Joel Edgerton.
The official trailer for the coming-of-age thriller 'The Plague' has been released.
The film, written and directed by Charlie Polinger, centers on a socially anxious boy bullied at a water polo camp.
The bullies at the camp engage in a cruel ritual naming an illness 'the plague' and targeting an outcast.
'The Plague' debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and will be released in select theaters on December 24.
The movie stars Everett Blunck, Joel Edgerton, and others, and was filmed in Romania.
- Who
- Joel Edgerton, Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, Lennox Espy, Lucas Adler, Elliott Heffernan, and director Charlie Polinger
- What
- The official trailer for 'The Plague,' a coming-of-age thriller about a socially anxious boy targeted by bullies at a water polo camp, has been released.
- When
- The film debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is set for a select theater release on December 24, followed by a wider North American release on January 2.
- Where
- The film is set at a water polo camp and was shot in Romania. It will be released in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles.
- Why
- The film explores the harsh realities of bullying and a cruel ritual involving an outcast and a mock illness named 'the plague' among campers.
The Plague's Narrative
Festival & Production Details
Focus of the Film
The Plague's Narrative
The film centers on a 12-year-old boy named Ben (Everett Blunck) who is socially anxious and becomes the target of bullies at a water polo camp. The bullies engage in a cruel ritual where they name an illness 'the plague' and target an outcast.
Festival & Production Details
The film is described as a coming-of-age thriller and psychological drama-thriller, marking Charlie Polinger's feature directorial debut. It was written and directed by Polinger and shot in Romania.
Film Festival Screenings
The Plague's Narrative
The film's plot explores the harsh realities of bullying and the fear that a 'joke' ritual might be hiding something real.
Festival & Production Details
The Plague debuted in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has also been screened at other festivals, including Fantastic Fest.
- Director
- Charlie Polinger
- Starring
- Everett Blunck, Joel Edgerton, Kayo Martin, Kenny Rasmussen, Lennox Espy, Lucas Adler, Elliott Heffernan
- Setting
- Water polo camp
- Debut Festival
- Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard section, 2025)
- Filming Location
- Romania
- Select Theaters Release Date
- December 24
- North America Release Date
- January 2