The Faculty

The resident goth/outsider who pretends to be a lesbian just so people will leave her alone. DuVall provides the cynical, sci-fi-literate backbone of the group.

Political attacks on tenure have intensified, with some state legislatures considering bills that would ban tenure or any permanent employment status at public universities. Texas introduced HB1830 in March 2025, which would eliminate tenure in the state's higher education system. In South Dakota, the Board of Regents announced a new policy in December 2025 that weakens tenure protections for faculty at the state's public universities.

DuVall shines as the gothic, sci-fi-loving outcast who uses her knowledge of genre tropes to help the group survive.

The film also leaned heavily into its influences. It wasn't just a monster movie; it was a self-aware commentary on the genre. Characters openly discuss The Puppet Masters and The Thing , using their knowledge of movies to survive the real-life invasion. Why It Endures: The "Outsider" Theme

The Faculty is not just a horror movie about aliens—it’s a horror movie about growing up. The real invasion isn’t the parasites; it’s the loss of individuality, the pressure to conform, and the terrifying realization that the adults in charge might not have your best interests at heart. It’s fast, funny, and gloriously paranoid. As Stokely says: “In high school, you’re nobody unless you’re in a group. But when you’re part of a group, you lose yourself.” The only way to survive is to stop being a clique—and start being a team. the faculty

The late 1990s witnessed a massive resurgence in teenage cinema. Following the massive success of Scream in 1996, Hollywood scrambled to splice Kevin Williamson’s signature self-aware, witty dialogue with every subgenre imaginable. In 1998, Dimension Films combined Williamson’s sharp pen with the kinetic, comic-book directing style of Robert Rodriguez. The result was The Faculty , a sci-fi horror hybrid that served as a modern update to Invasion of the Body Snatchers set against the brutal, unforgiving backdrop of an American high school.

Despite initial mixed reviews and a box office performance that was considered lukewarm at the time, The Faculty has since undergone a massive critical reappraisal. Today, it stands as a beloved cult classic, with fans and critics alike praising its smart script, incredible cast, and the surprising depth of its teen-angst allegory. It remains the definitive “generation gap” body-snatcher movie, a film that perfectly captured the end of the millennium’s fear of losing one's identity to the crushing machinery of high school social order.

undergoes a brilliant transformation from the timid, stuttering Miss Burke into a seductive, terrifying alien host. Kevin Williamson and the Anatomy of Gen-X Cynicism

The film is set in the fictional Herrington High School in Ohio. The conceit is classic B-movie gold: an alien species has arrived on Earth via a contaminant in the water supply. These aliens attach themselves to the base of the human skull, taking over the host’s body and mind. The infected—"the faculty"—are creating a hive mind, systematically turning the entire student body into emotionless drones. The resident goth/outsider who pretends to be a

Context + self-help + specific ask.

Rodriguez also masterfully handled the film's practical and digital special effects. Created by industry legend KNB EFX Group, the creature designs—from the skittering, multi-legged cephalopod parasites to the massive underwater Queen entity—were genuinely unsettling. The infamous scene where a severed fingers-and-hand creature scurries across a floor, or when a character's head detaches and sprouts legs, pays direct, loving homage to John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982).

and Clea DuVall anchoring the eerie atmosphere of the faculty lounge.

Given its ascension to cult status, a remake was inevitable. In January 2025, it was announced that Miramax is moving forward with a reboot of The Faculty . Original director Robert Rodriguez is attached as a producer, with Drew Hancock (writer of the 2025 thriller Companion ) tapped to write the script. The studio has been clear that the goal is not to do a direct sequel but to reimagine the concept for a new generation. Texas introduced HB1830 in March 2025, which would

The role of faculty will continue to evolve. Rather than being replaced by technology, faculty are more likely to work alongside AI systems that handle routine tasks, freeing educators to focus on the uniquely human aspects of teaching: mentorship, inspiration, critical dialogue, and the cultivation of wisdom.

Are you a fan of The Faculty? Share your memories of seeing this 90s classic in the comments below.

: Unlike the years-long process of peer-reviewed publishing, blogs allow for immediate sharing of observations and ongoing research. Building Community : Platforms like The Faculty Faculty Focus

as the perpetually sick school nurse, Nurse Harper.