Pledge

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Pledge

Released Jan 11, 2019

1h 18m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Freshmen misfits Ethan, David and Justin desperately try to improve their terminally uncool reputations by pledging prestigious Greek houses on their campus. Turned down by every fraternity, they soon receive an unexpected invitation from a shadowy social club that offers them access to an exclusive world of raging parties and beautiful coeds. But first, they must endure a sadistic initiation ritual that goes from depraved to deadly over the course of two blood-soaked days.

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Critics Consensus

Pledge leaves a certain amount of potential untapped in its extreme take on collegiate hazing, but the end result is still well-executed enough to be worth a watch.

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

[Pledge's] main goal is to create a sense of dawning terror from the lengths to which these wealthy kids plan to push their charges, and the amount of misery those younger teens are willing to endure for the reward of being inducted...

Feb 7, 2019

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

A lean and mean shocker that tells its tale of collegiate hazing run amuck with brute efficiency.

Jan 17, 2019

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

The characters and premise of "Pledge" are over-the-top, but the movie understands that - whether comedy or horror - all these stories are really about a desperate yearning for belonging.

Jan 16, 2019

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Alix Turner

Ready Steady Cut

Three freshman students are struggling to find a place to belong when they hear a siren call... only to find themselves painfully out of their depths.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 2, 2021

Full Review

Isaac Feldberg

Arts Fuse

The filmmakers find their way back in time to provide a humdinger of a third-act twist.

Dec 15, 2020

Full Review

Terry Mesnard

Gayly Dreadful

Pledge is (sometimes frustratingly) ambiguous ... I have to give it credit, though. It's a scrappy little thriller that kept me entertained and enthralled the entire time.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 20, 2019

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Melissa L

Intense movie. Sad ending in my view. If you're a sadist, you'll love it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

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Diana S

Given the premise, which is seemingly rich with possibilities, this movie felt really disappointing. They went for archetypes and shock value instead of exploring uncharted territory with nuance, and I just think it's a missed opportunity.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/24

Full Review

Thom G

Pledge is a very good horror film on this theme, where cruelty is merely an extension or reflection of all too contemporary social dynamics.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

Full Review

JJJJJJ J

Was a fine horror. This film really did nothing wrong and was a short, enjoyable, horror flick. There is nothing crazy here going on in terms of themes, plot, etc. but the film does a got job in telling its relatively simple story. I'd recommend for fans of the horror /slasher genre.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very nuts and bolts college gorefest, okay after a few beers

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Andy J

An excellent film. Clever plot, pacing just right, well developed characters, good acting.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/21

Full Review

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Daniel Robbins

Director

Zachery Byrd

Justin

Phillip Andre Botello

Ethan

Zack Weiner

David

Aaron Dalla Villa

Max

Cameron Cowperthwaite

Ricky

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The Upside Doesn’t Have Much of One

Pledge: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Freshmen misfits Ethan, David and Justin desperately try to improve their terminally uncool reputations by pledging prestigious Greek houses on their campus. Turned down by every fraternity, they soon receive an unexpected invitation from a shadowy social club that offers them access to an exclusive world of raging parties and beautiful coeds. But first, they must endure a sadistic initiation ritual that goes from depraved to deadly over the course of two blood-soaked days.

Director: Daniel Robbins
Producer: Mark H. Rapaport, Keaton Heinrichs, Akiva Nemetsky
Screenwriter: Zack Weiner
Distributor: IFC Midnight
Production Co: IFC Films, BoulderLight Pictures
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 11, 2019
Runtime: 1h 18m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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