Cannes Film Festival always delivers bold stories. This year The Plague stands out. Premiering May 16 2025 in Un Certain Regard this psychological thriller grips audiences. Directed by debut filmmaker Charlie Polinger it stars Joel Edgerton as a camp counselor. He faces a pack of 12- and 13-year-old boys. Their brutal world unfolds at a water polo camp. Edgerton shared his experience with The Hollywood Reporter. Acting opposite young newcomers was humbling. Here’s why The Plague and Edgerton’s role spark buzz.
Edgerton plays Daddy Wags. He’s a coach at the Tom Lerner Water Polo Camp set in 2003. The story follows Ben a shy 12-year-old. He navigates a vicious social hierarchy. Jake a charismatic bully leads a clique. They target Eli an outcast with severe eczema. They call it “the plague” a fictional disease. Edgerton’s character struggles to control the chaos. He’s an outsider in their world. He told THR that kids have their own rules. They form a society adults can’t penetrate. His own twins aged 4 taught him this.
Acting with tweens challenged Edgerton. Known for Warrior and Loving he’s a screen veteran. Yet the young cast’s energy rattled him. Most were first-time actors. Everett Blunck plays Ben. Kayo Martin is Jake. Kenny Rasmussen brings Eli to life. Their raw performances shine. Edgerton said he had to adapt. He followed their lead. This kept the scenes authentic. X posts praise the kids’ intensity. One user called them scarily real. Polinger’s direction gets credit for their natural vibe.
The Plague digs into dark themes. It explores bullying and toxic masculinity. Polinger drew from his own camp memories. He crafted a script from old journals. It’s not just horror. It’s a study of adolescence. Critics are split. Deadline’s Pete Hammond calls it a nightmare. He loves Edgerton’s subtle work. The Hollywood Reporter sees it as timely. But The Playlist wants more depth. X fans lean positive. They rave about its creepy visuals. Body-horror moments hit hard.
Edgerton also produced via Five Henrys. He almost directed but backed Polinger’s vision. The film’s 35mm look captures 2003 perfectly. Capri-Sun pouches and slang set the mood. Polinger worked with young actors carefully. An intimacy coordinator guided tough scenes. One bunk-bed talk about fantasies feels raw. Edgerton told THR that kids taught him to stay loose. His role is quiet but key. Daddy Wags fails to stop the cruelty. It’s a new side of Edgerton.
Cannes loves The Plague. Variety reports hot buyer interest. UTA Cinetic and AGC handle sales. The 1-hour-38-minute runtime keeps it tight. Johan Lenox’s score adds dread. Screen Daily calls it depressingly relevant. Toxic masculinity resonates today. Some critics find it cold. X users disagree. One called it a horror gem. Another loves its coming-of-age twist. Edgerton’s performance anchors it. He shows adult helplessness.
This isn’t Edgerton’s first Cannes rodeo. He starred in The Stranger in 2022. Now he’s back with a bold project. The Plague tests him as an actor and producer. He told THR it mirrors his parenting fears. Youth can be terrifying. The film’s young stars steal scenes. Polinger’s debut marks him as one to watch. X buzz grows daily. Fans call it unmissable. The Plague could be a sleeper hit.
Keep up with The Plague on X. Watch for its release news. Edgerton and his tween co-stars deliver something unforgettable.
