Doug (Will Breen) wants to write plays. Instead he teaches drama at middle school. Doug also wants to get back with the art teacher, Abbie (Gillian Jacobs). Instead she’s taken up with the unctuous and ambitious principal (Rob Lowe). Seething, Doug decides to avenge himself on the world the only way he can. Under the guise of putting on West Side Story, he enlists his cast in a brand new musical he will write and direct, an all-out assault on the white bread values the principle holds dear…
Be warned: despite having more than its share of adorable and talented kids, The Musical is in very questionable taste and genuinely shocking. For those who appreciate black comedy, you will be in your element here.
Preceded by the short film: How Brief (15 min)
At times, genius and at others, just cringey, The Musical the mean-spirited movie of the year.
Kristy Strouse, Film Inquiry
The Musical is a laugh riot and an absolute winner.
Abe Friedtanzer, Awards Watch
This short, nasty film finds much of its sharpest humor in good old-fashioned misanthropy… an acquired bad taste, but riotously funny at its most daring.
Guy Lodge, Variety
Giselle Bonilla
Will Brill, Gillian Jacobs, Rob Lowe
USA
2026
English
Book Tickets
Friday November 20
Indigenous & Community Access
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Credits
Producer
Rob Lowe, Greg Lauritano, Alexander Heller, Findlay Brown, Jordan Backhus
Screenwriter
Alexander Heller
Cinematography
Tu Do
Editor
Chris Chandler, Devin Dulany
Original Music
Mateo Nossa
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