The late 1990s witnessed a massive resurgence in teenage-centric cinema. Following the massive success of Scream (1996), Hollywood scrambled to replicate its winning formula: sharp-witted dialogue, an attractive ensemble cast of rising stars, and a meta-awareness of horror tropes. Amidst a sea of generic slashers, one film stood out by brilliantly blending Kevin Williamson’s signature teenage angst with old-school, paranoid science fiction. That film was The Faculty (1998).
The film is celebrated for its massive cast of then-rising stars and established veterans: Elijah Wood as Casey Sanders (The Outcast) Josh Hartnett as Zeke Tyler (The Rebel/Drug Dealer) Clea DuVall as Stokely "Stokes" Mitchell (The Goth) Jordana Brewster as Delilah Profit (The Popular Girl) Shawn Hatosy as Stan Rosado (The Jock) Laura Harris as Marybeth Louise Hutchinson (The New Girl) The Faculty: Robert Patrick as Coach Joe Willis Famke Janssen as Miss Elizabeth Burke Piper Laurie as Mrs. Karen Olson Jon Stewart as Mr. Edward Furlong Salma Hayek as Nurse Rosa Harper Key Themes & Cultural Impact the faculty