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A trippy, almost 3D colored image of a boy staring fearfully right into the camera.

Departing Seniors

  Clare Cooney

  United States     85 minutes

Synopsis

Mexican-American and queer, high school student Javier doesn’t exactly fit in with the popular kids. But he might be the only one who can save them. After an act of bullying sends Javier to the hospital, he begins experiencing visions that foresee glimpses of shocking murders at his school right before they happen. Now, in between navigating the social hierarchies and prejudices of clique culture, Javier (Primo’s Ignacio Diaz-Silverio) and his best friend Bianca (Candyman’s Ireon Roach) must try to unmask a serial killer before he strikes again.

Departing Seniors puts a fresh spin on teen slasher movies like Scream and Freaky, updating them by putting its queer protagonist and characters of color front and center. It’s a horror-comedy with a sarcastic, whip-smart edge and appealingly complex characters, shot right here in Chicago and ready to scare you silly.

  

 English 

headshot: Clare CooneyDirector Spotlight

We chatted with Departing Seniors director Clare Cooney about filming during COVID, refreshing the teen slasher genre, what it’s like to screen her film at the Music Box Theatre, and more.

Read the interview…

Screenings & Events

Media

Film Credits

  •   Dashawna Wright, Jose Nateras, Clare Cooney, Kelly Parker
  •   Jose Nateras
  •   Isabella McCarthy
  •   Jason Chiu
  •   Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Yani Gellman, Ireon Roach
  •   Denisse Ojeda
  •   Greg Newman, Nicola Goelzhaeuser, Giles Edwards
  •   Choppe Productions, Queensbury Pictures
  •   https://darkskyfilms.com/

Sponsors

Comedy Program Sponsor

Logo: The Second City 329x75

Film Supporter

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