The Plague

Set in 2003, this drama and horror thriller follows Ben, a socially anxious preadolescent attending a water polo summer camp. He finds himself caught in a toxic social hierarchy led by a peer named Jake, who targets an outcast named Eli. Because of Eli's skin condition, Jake convinces the other boys that Eli has a contagious disease called the plague, forcing anyone who touches him to scrub their skin. As Ben struggles between his desire for social acceptance and his sympathy for Eli, the psychological pressure and cruelty of the group escalate toward a violent conclusion.

The film was written and directed by Charlie Polinger. The cast features Everett Blunck as Ben, Kayo Martin as Jake, and Kenny Rasmussen as Eli, with Joel Edgerton appearing as Daddy Wags. Produced by Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ, Spooky Pictures, The Space Program, and Five Henrys, the production is a collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The movie received a moderate response from audiences, holding a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb from 5,000 votes and a matching 6.4/10 on TMDB from 140 votes. Film critics gave the movie a more positive reception, with a rating of 7.8/10 based on 108 reviews.