Struck by Lightning

Struck by Lightning opens with its central character, Carson Phillips, being killed by a lightning strike, and unfolds largely through his recollections of the months leading up to his death. A bright, sarcastic student at Clover High School in California, Carson dreams of studying journalism at a prestigious university, but he needs a stronger application than his school can easily provide. On the advice of his guidance counsellor, he starts a literary magazine, only to find his classmates far more interested in football, parties and popularity than in writing. With help from his only friend, Malerie, he turns to blackmail, pressuring fellow students to contribute by threatening to expose their secrets. His difficult relationship with his mother, Sheryl, who wants to reconnect before he leaves for college, runs alongside his scheming.

The film was directed by Brian Dannelly, following his 2004 debut Saved!, and was written by and stars Chris Colfer as Carson. The cast includes Allison Janney, Dermot Mulroney, Carter Jenkins, Sarah Hyland and Robbie Amell. It runs 90 minutes and was released in 2013.

On IMDb it holds 6.2 out of 10 from around 15,000 votes, while on TMDB it also sits at 6.2 from roughly 219 votes. A critics' rating of 5.2 from 33 reviews places it slightly below the audience scores.