The Faculty
The Faculty (1998) is a science fiction horror film that blends classic body-snatcher tropes with a late 1990s teen-drama aesthetic. The plot centers on a group of high school students who discover that their teachers and other faculty members are being systematically taken over by extraterrestrial parasites. As paranoia escalates, this unlikely group of misfits—including a nerd, a jock, a cheerleader, a goth, and a drug dealer—must unite to fight the alien invasion and save humanity. The film features a star-studded cast and is known for its blend of suspense, dark humor, and practical effects. Due to its intense violence, pervasive strong language, depictions of drug use, and some sexual content, the movie is intended for mature audiences.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains frequent and graphic violence, earning its R rating. This includes multiple stabbings with visible blood and grotesque alien-related injuries and transformations. Characters endure severe physical attacks, and the aliens' vulnerability to a specific substance results in explicit, albeit non-human, deaths.
Principal Drake (Bebe Neuwirth) is graphically stabbed through the hand with a pencil by Coach Willis, who then states, 'I've always wanted to do that.' Later, Mrs. Olson (Piper Laurie) stabs Principal Drake multiple times with scissors. Zeke Tyler (Josh Hartnett) amputates Mr. Furlong's (Jon Stewart) fingers with a paper cutter and then injects him in the eye with a drug, causing his alien host to die explicitly.
Profanity
HighThe film features pervasive strong language and profanity throughout, contributing significantly to its R rating. Characters, particularly the teenagers, frequently use expletives, including the 'f-word' and other offensive terms, in casual conversation and moments of stress.
Movieguide identified '74 obscenities & 8 profanities' within the film. Characters like Zeke Tyler use the 'f-word' directly, such as his exclamation, 'All right, fuck this, I'm out of here!'
Substance Use
HighSubstance use is a central plot device, with a main character, Zeke Tyler, manufacturing and distributing a powdered caffeine 'drug' referred to as 'scat.' This substance is explicitly used by the protagonists to identify and kill the alien parasites, effectively presenting drug use as a heroic and life-saving act. Adult alcohol use is also present.
Zeke Tyler (Josh Hartnett) sells his homemade powdered caffeine 'scat' hidden in pens to other students. The protagonists deliberately inhale or inject Zeke's 'scat' to test for alien infection, as the drug's dehydrating properties are lethal to the water-dependent parasites. Zeke uses a scat-filled pen to kill Professor Furlong by stabbing him in the eye.
Scary & Intense Content
HighAs a horror and sci-fi thriller, 'The Faculty' contains numerous scary and intense sequences designed to evoke fear and suspense. These include jump scares, unsettling body horror involving alien transformations, moments of extreme paranoia and mistrust among characters, and graphically depicted violent deaths.
Alien infection scenes involve visceral body horror, such as parasites crawling into human ears and hosts distorting or regenerating after being wounded, creating disturbing visuals. The 'drug test' scene generates high tension as the uninfected students are forced to take Zeke's drug, leading to intense suspicion and fear as they wait to see who will react like an alien.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect for authority and themes of rebellion are central to the film's narrative. The teenage protagonists are pitted against all adult figures (teachers, principal, coach), who are possessed by aliens. The film validates the students' distrust and defiance, portraying their rebellious nature and willingness to fight adults as essential for survival and heroism.
The core premise involves students actively rebelling against and attempting to kill their teachers and principal, who are confirmed to be alien hosts, illustrating a complete breakdown of adult authority. Zeke Tyler (Josh Hartnett), a drug dealer and rebel, is portrayed as intelligent and resourceful, with his non-conformist attitude and illicit activities being instrumental in discovering and combating the alien threat.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe character Stokely Mitchell initially portrays herself as a lesbian to deter unwanted attention, though this is later revealed as a facade. By the film's conclusion, she is shown in a heterosexual relationship. While not explicitly depicting LGBTQ relationships, the narrative utilizes a 'pretended' queer identity as a social barrier and ultimately resolves it into a normative heterosexual pairing, which some critics view as a form of 'bi-erasure.' Screenwriter Kevin Williamson, who is openly gay, has also been associated with controversial past remarks regarding transgender individuals outside of this film's content.
Stokely Mitchell (Clea DuVall) openly states that she spreads rumors of being a lesbian to be left alone by other students, using it as a defense mechanism against social pressures. In the film's ending, after the alien threat is vanquished, Stokely is depicted having shed her goth attire and is romantically involved with Stan Rosado (Shawn Hatosy), suggesting a shift to a conventional heterosexual relationship.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe movie includes suggestive dialogue, passionate kissing, and a scene of brief, non-explicit nudity. The alien queen's final form involves shedding clothes and employing overt seductive tactics. Sexual themes are often intertwined with the alien's manipulative nature, using attraction as a means of control.
During the climax, the alien queen, Marybeth (Laura Harris), reveals her true form to Zeke in the locker room, appearing nude and engaging in sexually suggestive dialogue and actions to entice him. The infected Miss Burke (Famke Janssen) actively attempts to seduce her student, Zeke, in the parking lot with flirtatious language and physical advances.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile not directly mocking Christian beliefs, the film presents a worldview that can be considered to implicitly contradict traditional Christian values. It elevates rebellious behavior, distrust of authority, and drug use (even if for 'good' purposes) as necessary virtues for heroism and salvation. Movieguide categorizes the film as having a 'Strong pagan world view,' suggesting a narrative framework that operates outside or against a biblically informed moral compass, rewarding vice and defiance rather than traditional virtues.
The film's central message validates the distrust of adults and glorifies a drug-dealing outcast (Zeke) as the ultimate hero. This narrative choice implicitly contradicts biblical teachings on respecting authority and avoiding illicit substances. Survival is directly linked to the protagonists' ability to defy and destroy adult figures, rather than seeking guidance or adhering to a moral framework that might typically be associated with Christian teachings.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe film does not contain elements of traditional witchcraft, sorcery, magic rituals, demons, or the occult. The supernatural threat is entirely science fiction-based, revolving around an extraterrestrial parasitic invasion that takes over human bodies and minds. The narrative relies on scientific and sci-fi tropes rather than mystical or demonic forces.
The central conflict is driven by an alien parasite, described as a 'mesozoan' by Professor Furlong, which infects humans and controls their bodies, acting as a biological rather than a magical threat. The students rely on their knowledge of science fiction literature, like 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers,' and scientific experimentation (with Zeke's drug) to understand and combat the aliens, rather than any occult practices.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
17+ (R-rated): The film is rated R by the MPAA for violence/gore, strong language, drug use, and some nudity. Its themes, graphic content, and mature subject matter are unsuitable for younger viewers.
Additional Notes
The film does not have sequels or adaptations that significantly alter its core parental concerns. The content largely remains consistent throughout its single theatrical release. No credible disagreements or gaps in information were found beyond the interpretive nature of some themes.
Related Reviews
Is The Faculty right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required