The Teachers' Lounge

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1:34

The Teachers' Lounge

PG-13

2023

1h 34m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

146 Reviews

70%

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250+ Ratings

Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system. The more desperately she tries to do everything right, the more the young teacher threatens to break.

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Critics Consensus

A smart and provocative modern parable with the heart of a thriller, The Teachers' Lounge brilliantly uses its setting as the backdrop for a look at how quickly even tight-knit communities can be destabilized.

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is a bold film that uses not a child vampire, as in Abigail, in cinemas now, but real children, and the adults charged with their care...

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 29, 2024

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

It's incredibly tense... it almost has a Hitchcockian edge.

Apr 24, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Benesch is superb, her face a glazed mask of panic as the shockwaves resulting from her actions shake the very foundations of the school.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 15, 2024

Full Review

Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan)

Women Write About Comics

The story was gripping, and the acting was solid. Despite the scenes that didn’t flow, I understand why they were included. I genuinely didn’t think I would be so gripped by a school-based film but here I am!

Aug 20, 2025

Full Review

Alfred Castaneda

Shade Studios

This is a film that doesn’t come along very often, with both the location and plot appearing overly mundane yet still underpinned by a highly-capable lead actress and a well-developed script.

Jul 30, 2025

Full Review

Marta Medina

mundoCine

The Teacher's Lounge emerges as a raw and realistic thriller that stands out in contrast to the usual hope and optimism found in the teacher-student subgenre, prompting reflection on the complex reality faced by teachers today. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

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tony

I gave it a chance. no good. almost walked ou

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/24/24

Full Review

Sally S

Loved this movie. Fabulous

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Rory

pretty good movie but left you with some unanswered questions.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

Mr. Hollywood

Was a good film but man did they cop out with the ending. Its an easy cop out and unfair to the audience. Tired of these endings where directors cop out saying well it so to the audience to decide. No you are too lazy or too scared hence why you didnt end it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/24

Full Review

Joseph S

Loved the pace, story and length. A late 2023 favorite

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Kathy

I really liked this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

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Ilker Çatak

Director

Leonie Benesch

Carla Nowak

Leonard Stettnisch

Oskar

Eva Löbau

Friederike Kuhn

Michael Klammer

Thomas Liebenwerda

Anne-Kathrin Gummich

Dr. Bettina Böhm

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The Teachers’ Lounge: Trailer 1

1:34

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Synopsis

Carla Nowak, a dedicated sports and math teacher, starts her first job at a high school. She stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system. The more desperately she tries to do everything right, the more the young teacher threatens to break.

Director: Ilker Çatak
Producer: Ingo Fliess
Screenwriter: Ilker Çatak, Johannes Duncker
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Arte, if... Productions, ZDF
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $627.9K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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