The Dirties

Released Oct 4, 2013

1h 23m

Drama

List

83%

40 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The line between reality and fiction starts two blur when two best friends start making a movie about getting revenge on bullies.

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Critics Consensus

The Dirties uses likable characters and a surprisingly twisted story to deconstruct the power of violent revenge -- and the audience's expectations when viewing it.

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destonio n

Very well done. Terrific acting too. Takes you to some very uncomfortable places.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is less a story that progresses from point A to point B as it is a character study, and it is an interesting one at that. As a tale of bullying and its potential tragic consequences it fails, albeit not miserably, but it does make you care about the protagonists and makes you want to know more about what makes them tick. This is good since the film is all buildup with very little payoff; I suppose it's more about the journey than the destination. It's no mystery as to which of the two protagonists is the mentally unhinged one, and it's no surprise that he will eventually turn the students' film from a mockumentary about a school shooting into a documentary. Unfortunately it takes way too long for a violent payoff that only happens in the last four minutes, and that payoff is rather underwhelming and nothing is resolved and the movie ends before we know the fates of the main characters and the paltry number of victims. A surprise, twist, or just something shocking occuring would have been much welcomed. It's hard to feel sorry for at least half of the duo being bullied as he is flamboyantly obnoxious at times and eggs on the bullies, while his friend is victimized simply for being his friend, and he usually gets the worst of it. While not a whole lot of action occurs in this movie, it never really gets boring, but it would be nice if at least some of the plot points were wrapped up in an engaging way. I feel like much potential was wasted and what could have been an engaging and/or shocking film ends up just being a somewhat interesting way to pass the time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

mark b

I found this gem on Shudder of all places and while it is in no way a horror movie, its subject matter is definitely horrifying. Yet it doesn't play out like a grim tale at all. In fact it's quite an enjoyable watch even though it covers the very heavy subjects of high school bullying and school shootings. There is just a very subtle sense of dread once you realize where the movie will eventually take you. Nor does it glorify the underlying topics or try to have too much fun with it. This is no doubt due to the deft hand of lead actor/writer/director Matt Johnson. He is so affable and exuberant it brings almost a "lightness" to what could be a forbidding movie indeed. Matt Johnson is definitely someone to watch as he really makes a mark here.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A phenomenal film, a brutal gut-punch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie starts off very strong, but loses some grip towards the end. The film really impressed me but some parts are really to cheesy, but it will be creepy if this really would happen, and the scene that kept my head up and thought of it that ended creepy was the best part of the movie that's about it, for the movie wise it was ok. So for this being an ok film, but just imagining this happening it will creep you out and makes you think a lot of what you just watch, that's why I gave it the other half of the star, other than that I give " The Dirties " a D-.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The mockumentary format elevates the material greatly and delivers a grounded a ultra realistic depiction of highschool life. A very solid directorial debut.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Matt Johnson

Director

Owen Williams

Owen

Alen Delain

Alan

Krista Madison

Chrissy H.

Brandon Wickens

Jackman

Jay McCarrol

Mr. Bird

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THR Staff

Hollywood Reporter

Using a mockumentary format, the film treads on overly familiar territory... but it also contains enough examples of anarchically dark humor to make it memorable.

May 26, 2023

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

A more interesting proposition than it is a finished film.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 8, 2014

Full Review

Laurence Phelan

Independent (UK)

The Dirties is a very funny meta comedy; manna for film geeks, but full of a high-spirited and punkish energy that anyone from fans of Jackass and Ali G to fans of Spike Jonze and Harmony Korine can appreciate.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 5, 2014

Full Review

Patrick Bromley

F This Movie!

It begins as a comedy, gets us to love and identify with its characters, but slowly marches towards horror and tragedy with a sad inevitability.

May 26, 2023

Full Review

Veronica Lee

The Arts Desk

This is a film with a serious purpose, to try to understand why some people act out dangerous fantasies.

May 26, 2023

Full Review

Brad McHargue

Dread Central

Johnson and his crew have crafted an incredibly tragic and important film, filled with incredibly real characters.

May 26, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

The line between reality and fiction starts two blur when two best friends start making a movie about getting revenge on bullies.

Director: Matt Johnson
Screenwriter: Matt Johnson, Evan Morgan
Distributor: Phase 4 Films, Kevin Smith Movie Club
Production Co: XYZ Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2013
Runtime: 1h 23m

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