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Detention

Play trailer Poster for Detention R,  2012,  1h 29m,  Horror/ Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 44% 45 Reviews Tomatometer 46% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
44% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A teenage outcast (Shanley Caswell), her friend (Josh Hutcherson), a nerd (Aaron David Johnson), and other students face terror from a serial killer who targets high-school students.
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Detention

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Detention

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Director Joseph Kahn's relentlessly kinetic style gives Detention a rebellious kick, but the overload of ideas keeps this genre mashup from ever cohering into a satisfying whole.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Howell Toronto Star Apr 26, 2012
2/4
Neither good enough to impress as a meta mashup of horror and comedy, nor bad enough to hoot and throw popcorn at, it slides into a gray area of unfocused ideas and unrealized potential. Go to Full Review
Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Apr 14, 2012
2.5/4
It breaks the mold and burns the roadmap, fearlessly pushing boundaries and going into nonsensical corners most films and filmmakers wouldn't even dare of traipsing through. Go to Full Review
Peter Hartlaub San Francisco Chronicle Apr 13, 2012
2/4
There will be young moviegoers who proclaim this genius, and more stodgy audience members who find it torturous. If you're not tweeting and texting a combined 50 times or more per day, you're probably in the latter camp. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 22, 2023
3/5
Somehow manages to be both obnoxious and abrasive, yet in an endearing way that feels like we're being introduced to an entirely new generation of filmmaker, thanks to its frenzied and frenetic execution. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast Apr 26, 2022
4/5
Kahn exploits his music video expertise in this overwhelming, joke-a-minute genre explosion. Featuring cute as a button Josh Hutcherson, the editing alone guarantees this unconventional horror comedy won't be for everyone. If it is, though, it's A+ Go to Full Review
Trace Thurman Horror Queers Podcast Apr 13, 2022
5/5
If a movie was able to do several lines of cocaine before you hit play, Joseph Kahn's Detention would be that movie. It's wild, kinetic and all over the place in the best possible way. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Anakin W Aug 19, 2017 worst satire parody ever. talk about trying too hard
Finn P May 7, 2017 I really loved some of the references, but it was a bit of a mess of a movie. Not bad, look at it as a "scary movie" type and you'll probably enjoy it somewhat. See more
George R Feb 5, 2014 i actually really liked this one, haha -- it's stupid & has a "campy" feel to it, so if you're into that thing you'll probably like it too. a lot of random things happen, but i kind of loved it. i recommend for all the wanna be scary movie watchers since it's really more of a comedy than anything. See more
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Detention

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joseph Kahn

Director

Josh Hutcherson

Clapton Davis

Shanley Caswell

Riley Jones

Dane Cook

Principal Verge

Spencer Locke

Ione

Aaron David Johnson

Sander Sanderson

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Detention

Dane Cook as Principal Verge in "Detention." A scene from "Detention." A scene from "Detention." Dane Cook as Principal Verge in "Detention." Shanley Caswell as Riley Jones in "Detention." Josh Hutcherson as Clapton Davis in "Detention." Spencer Locke as Ione in "Detention." Spencer Locke as Ione and Josh Hutcherson as Clapton Davis in "Detention." Dane Cook as Principal Verge in "Detention." A scene from "Detention." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A teenage outcast (Shanley Caswell), her friend (Josh Hutcherson), a nerd (Aaron David Johnson), and other students face terror from a serial killer who targets high-school students.
Director
Joseph Kahn
Producer
Mary Ann Tanedo, Richard Weager
Screenwriter
Joseph Kahn, Mark Palermo
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co
Detention Films
Rating
R (Crude and Sexual Content|Bloody Violence|Some Teen Drinking|Drug Use|Language|Nudity)
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 13, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 31, 2012
Runtime
1h 29m
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