Episode 102: Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty (1998)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

What if your teachers weren’t just strict—they weren’t even human? We revisit Robert Rodriguez’s 1998 cult favorite The Faculty and pull apart why a movie that isn’t all that scary can still be a blast. From a stacked cast and deliciously campy set pieces to a soundtrack that transports you straight to the late 90s, this one hits the sweet spot between teen drama and creature feature.

We kick off with a quick setup and a “sinister sip” cocktail, then get into what makes the film tick: archetypal teens forced to trust one another under alien pressure, a Thing-inspired test scene that still crackles, and a football-field menace that turns school spirit into a hive. We talk what holds up—tight pacing, memorable lines, Elijah Wood’s earnestness, Josh Hartnett’s slacker charisma—and what doesn’t: dated stereotypes, an abusive-coach caricature, clunky CGI, and a few jokes that should’ve stayed in 1998. Along the way we salute the needle drops, from The Offspring to Pink Floyd, and spotlight why the music does more than vibe—it frames the story.

You’ll also hear deep-cut trivia and international title oddities, plus how this film nudged careers (and maybe even set Frodo’s path). We compare The Faculty’s meta ambitions to Scream and its paranoia mechanics to The Thing, landing on a clear verdict: this is comfort-horror—fun, quotable, and worth your time, even if it won’t haunt your dreams. Hit play, pour the Teacher’s Pet, and message us with your favorite scene or the trope that made you groan.

Sinister Sips

The Teacher’s Pet

From: Champagne & Sugarplums

Recipe:

• 1 oz Spiced Rum

• 4 oz Apple Cider

• Ginger Ale

• Lime Wedge

1. Add ice to a highball glass

2. Add spiced Rum

3. Add apple cider

4. Top off with ginger ale

5. Garnish with lime wedge

Plot Summary:

When Casey Connor, Herrington High School's newspaper photographer, witnesses the murder of a nurse and sees her alive again, he decides to investigate the bizarre happenings. (taken from IMDb)

Watchability Scale

We gave the film a score of 6 on the Watchability Scale. It’s worth watching, but not something you have to hunt for.

Links

IMDb page

Rotten Tomatoes page

Movie Facts (TV Tropes)

Movie Trivia (Creepy Catalog)