Most Rewatchable Scene
Roll call; Billy’s escape
In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:32Read transcript
- Billy’s punishment with a metal rod briefly creates anxiety about how sadistic the scene will become.
- The basement party establishes friendships through disguised mouthwash liquor, crude etiquette, radiator signals and a hacked phone-sex line overheard by the dean.
- The first roll call establishes the hostages, including Ricardo revealing he understands Spanish and Billy lunging at the terrorists.
- The roll-call intimidation is considered too weak; proposals include a frightened younger boy, more physical threats or displaying the murdered teacher.
- Wheaton proposes making noise, drawing the terrorists inside and jumping them.
- Joey’s angry attack after a mafia joke is unintentionally funny because his tiny punches do not match the others’ alarm.
- Billy’s timed escape, return deadline and shower concealment create suspense; the dean’s sudden trust in a habitual troublemaker is questioned.
- The gun firing up in the air is considered an authentic consequence of being unable to handle it.
- Joey refuses release, curses his father and the captor, steals a weapon and is quickly killed.
- A rewrite allowing Joey to hurt at least one terrorist would have made his final effort less pathetic while preserving the sad death.
- Hank covering Billy’s mouth is funny but defended as preventing a dangerous outburst.
- The model-plane payoff, search for Billy, reunion and abrupt helicopter-shot ending are enjoyed.
- Roll call is one final favorite, especially the parents’ occupations and threat to kill five boys for each escape.
- More fathers’ jobs are requested, including a sports anchor and football general manager.
- Billy’s escape is the other final favorite.