Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom 2026 Movie Review
Bad Apples is a dark comedy-thriller directed by Jonatan Etzler, starring Saoirse Ronan as Maria, a primary-school teacher pushed to the edge by her most disruptive student, Danny (Eddie Waller). The film is based on Rasmus Lindgren’s novel The Unwanted and is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
Review
Bad Apples takes a deliberately outrageous approach to the pressures facing teachers. Maria is desperate to keep her job and protect her class before an important school inspection, but Danny’s increasingly destructive behavior makes her situation almost impossible. After an accidental encounter goes badly wrong, Maria ends up locking Danny in her home—and discovers that her classroom suddenly becomes much easier to manage without him.
The film’s biggest strength is Saoirse Ronan. She plays Maria as quiet, frustrated and increasingly desperate rather than turning her into a conventional villain. That makes the character’s terrible decisions surprisingly uncomfortable while also allowing Ronan to deliver plenty of understated dark comedy. Critics have repeatedly singled her out as the film’s strongest element.
Eddie Waller is also effective as Danny. Instead of presenting him as a simple evil child, the film gradually reveals more complicated reasons behind his behavior. The strange relationship that develops between Maria and Danny gives the movie an unexpected emotional dimension, even while one of them is being held hostage.
The satire is another major highlight. Bad Apples takes aim at school bureaucracy, parental expectations, teacher pressure and society’s tendency to ignore difficult problems. The comedy becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Maria realizes that everyone around her seems happier when Danny disappears. The film asks an unsettling question: how far would someone go if an apparently impossible problem suddenly vanished?
The main weakness is that the metaphor can sometimes feel too obvious. Some of the film’s darker twists and social commentary are heavy-handed, and the premise may be too uncomfortable for viewers expecting a conventional comedy. Still, the unusual combination of satire, thriller elements and absurd humor gives the film a distinctive identity.
Final Verdict
Bad Apples is a wickedly funny and uncomfortable dark comedy powered by a terrific Saoirse Ronan performance. It doesn’t always handle its social commentary perfectly, but its bizarre premise, sharp satire and unpredictable tone make it an interesting watch.
Rating: ⭐ 8/10
Best for: Fans of dark comedy, psychological thrillers, school dramas, satire and Saoirse Ronan.
Release date: September 18, 2026, in theaters.
