| Director | Tony Kaye, Tony Kaye |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film |
| Runtime | 94 min |
| Country | United States |
| Box office | $1.7 million |
Substitute teacher Henry Barthes is called in for a one-month assignment, teaching English classes at a high school with many students performing at a low grade level. During his first class, he observes many acts of hostility and antagonism, including two students verbally harassing pupil Meredith, with whom he becomes acquainted after class.
After school, Henry is called in to see his grandfather at a care facility, who has become confused due to his dementia. He frequently believes Henry is Patricia (Henry's mother). On the bus ride home, Henry sees teenage runaway Erica having sex for money, then getting hit by a man who refuses to pay her. Erica attempts to convince Henry to have sex with her, which he refuses.
The next day, Henry reads aloud to the class through the essays from earlier. After reading an anonymous essay which is assumed to be Meredith's, he becomes aware of her struggles with suicidal thoughts. On the way home, Henry again runs into Erica, who he invites up to his apartment and allows her to stay temporarily.
Later, fellow teacher Sarah asks Henry out. Henry returns home late and Erica is still awake, waiting for him. She is upset that he went out without telling her, to which he informs her that she cannot expect him to tell her such things.
Henry is later called into the care facility, because his grandfather has become gravely ill. Henry pretends to be Patricia and reassures him, allowing him to come to peace with dying. After the visit, Henry and Erica go to the park, where Henry details Patricia's suicide. He also implies that his grandfather had sexually abused Patricia, but says that he never felt unsafe around either of them.
Back at school, Meredith shows Henry an artwork that she made for him. She opens up about her struggles and becomes visibly upset, hugging Henry and asking him to console her. Sarah walks in on them, causing Meredith to run away, and she accuses Henry of touching Meredith inappropriately. Henry insists that he was just comforting her, but the accusation leads to a surge of memories about his grandfather and mother. He's overcome by panic, and quickly leaves.
Later that day, Henry is informed of his grandfather's death. Feeling overwhelmed after all that's happened, Henry tells Erica he can no longer take care of her, and has social services take her to a foster home. She pleads with Henry to let her stay, but he reluctantly maintains his stance.
As Henry's assignment comes to an end, his students show their appreciation for his work. During a break, Henry tries to apologise to Meredith for earlier, but she quickly dismisses the matter. She then intentionally eats a cupcake that she poisoned, ending her life. Her death leads Henry into a state of reflection, and he decides to go visit Erica in the foster care facility for the first time since they were separated. She euphorically embraces him.
On his last day of teaching, Henry reads to the class the short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839) by Edgar Allan Poe.