Dismissed

Dismissed follows a strict, by-the-book high school teacher who finds his orderly world rattled when a top student whispers that she will do whatever it takes to earn an A. Lucas Ward values procedure and fairness, but the student Becca Vaughn begins testing the boundaries with brazen requests and increasingly risky leeway. As Becca's pressure grows, Ward confronts the uncomfortable possibility that his authority may depend on bending rules. The tension escalates beneath the fluorescent lights of the classroom and into late night conversations, revealing how ambition, pride, and fear can tilt ethics toward compromise. The film keeps the focus intimate, avoiding sensational twists while maintaining a creeping sense of danger.

Directed by Benjamin Arfmann from an original screenplay by Brian McAuley, Dismissed is a horror thriller anchored by strong performances. Released in 2017, the film stars Dylan Sprouse as Lucas Ward along with Rae Gray, Kent Osborne and Randall Park.

Box office figures for Dismissed have not been widely reported, reflecting its limited release and status as an independent horror thriller. As a result, commercial performance details remain elusive.

While not a blockbuster, the film has sparked discussion around ethical boundaries in education and the perils of power imbalances in mentoring relationships. Its tight atmosphere and unsettling premise echo classic classroom thrillers and invite repeat viewing for its subtleties. It may attract a niche audience of genre fans.

Reception to Dismissed has been that it's a tightly paced exercise in moral ambiguity rather than a shock-heavy horror ride. Critics highlight its compact setup, the tension between duty and desire, and the way unchecked ambition can erode boundaries in a school setting, leaving viewers unsettled.