7 Captivating Movies That Reveal the Harsh Realities of Bullying in Schools

While it's a difficult topic to confront, films can often illuminate these harsh realities, offering both a mirror to society and a source of empathy and understanding. So, we have decided to highlight seven captivating movies that delve into the complexities of school bullying.

From heart-wrenching dramas to thought-provoking thrillers, these movies provide a powerful medium for better understanding and addressing the impact of bullying in our schools.

1. The Karate Kid (2010)

This remake of the 80s classic, starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, stays faithful to the original storyline about a new kid in town who is mercilessly beaten up by a pack of bullies until he takes up martial arts and learns to defend himself.

Apart from addressing bullying, the movie also highlights the importance of discipline, consistency and a positive attitude towards life.

2. Mean Girls (2004)

If you were born in the late 90s, this popular teenage movie starring Lindsay Lohan is definitely one of your favourites. Most people who grew up with it can quote a couple of lines accurately.

The film focuses on Lindsay Lohan's character, Cady, as she enters public school for the first time in high school. All that she knows about schools and the world flips upside down as she navigates through the tough teenage life in a girl group dynamics.

The movie portrays the common girl-on-girl problem most teenage girls experience, including making other girls feel useless, inferior, self-conscious and, in extreme cases, even afraid to come to school.

3. Carrie (2013)

Another adaptation of a classic, the 2013 Carrie, has bullying, violence and gore as its central theme.

The movie is an adaptation of Stephen King's novel and is a horror story about a teen girl with telekinetic powers who, having suffered more torture than she can take from her peers and an abusive mother, seeks revenge on prom night.

One of the most infamous scenes involves Carrie experiencing her first period in the school locker room, only to be mocked and pelted with tampons by her peers.

The relentless bullying, combined with the abuse she suffers at home from her fanatically religious mother, takes a severe toll on Carrie's mental health, making her increasingly distressed and unstable. and the climax of the film occurs at the high school prom, where a cruel prank involving pig's blood triggers Carrie's telekinetic powers, leading to a catastrophic and violent revenge against her tormentors.

4. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower delves into the complexities of high school life, including the issue of bullying. The film follows Charlie, a shy and introverted freshman, as he navigates the challenges of adolescence, including being targeted by a bully who taunts and physically assaults him.

The movie also touches on social exclusion, as Charlie initially struggles to find his place in high school, symbolising his isolation. Despite these challenges, the film shows the positive impact of supportive friendships, as Charlie's friends help him cope with his past traumas and the bullying he faces.

5. The DUFF (2015)

This American teenage comedy is the story of an intelligent and charismatic adolescent girl, Bianca, and how she feels the need to meet society's ideal beauty standards.

Bianca and her two friends, Jess and Casey, are in high school when Bianca finds out she is the "DUFF" of her friend group, which stands for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend", or a person who is not popular in any social group.

Although the topic is all too relevant, and most of us might have been in this exact situation in the past, like Bianca, despite the bullying, she eventually learns to embrace her individuality and reject the negative labels imposed on her, sending a positive message about self-acceptance and the importance of being true to oneself.

6. Easy A (2010)

Easy A, which features Emma Stone, is a smart teen comedy that cleverly addresses the issue of bullying, particularly focusing on the destructive power of rumours and social ostracism.

The film follows Olive Penderghast, a high school student who tells a white lie about losing her virginity. This lie quickly spirals out of control, spreading through the school like wildfire, leading to Olive being labelled and judged by her peers.

It also touches on the role of technology in modern bullying, as Olive's reputation is further damaged by online gossip and social media, illustrating how cyberbullying can amplify the effects of traditional bullying. Despite these challenges, Olive eventually takes control of her narrative, using humour and resilience.

7. KAHAR: Kapla High Council (2024)

Although it has yet to be released, KAHAR: Kapla High Council, which will be out in cinemas nationwide on November 28, is set to explore similar themes of power dynamics and the consequences of bullying in schools.

The movie produced by Astro Shaw features socially invisible Kahar (played by Amir Ahnaff) as he risks tainting his family's KUDRAT legacy when he volunteers for the Pilihanraya to protect his best friend from getting bullied.

The film delves into the struggles and triumphs of students navigating the challenges of high school, much like the movies listed above. By highlighting the strength and determination required to rise above such hardships, KAHAR: Kapla High Council promises to be a powerful and relatable story that echoes the real-life experiences of the victims of each movie, offering hope and inspiration to audiences everywhere.

Don’t miss KAHAR: Kapla High Council coming to cinemas nationwide on 28 November 2024. #StopViolence

For the latest updates and more information, follow Astro Shaw’s Instagram.

Watch the trailer below: