Review: Teen slasher ‘Departing Seniors’ castrates systemic hatred against a super gay backdrop

The more queer horror the better. From mainstream fare like Freaky to such indie darlings as Saint Drogo and the short film The Power of the Strike, queer horror is thriving these days. We all win. Add the new film Departing Seniors to the growing roster of must-watch cinema. Written by Jose Nateras and directed by Clare Cooney, in her feature film directorial debut, the teen slasher is lean and mean, tackling themes of bullying, suicide, and mental health.

The story follows Javier (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio) and his BFF Bianca (Ireon Roach) as they find themselves the target of gross bigotry and a murderous plot. The film is incisive, fang-toothed, and timely, punctuated with bursts of well-earned violence with its veins coursing with heartwarming queerness.

In confronting systemic hatred, Javier, the queer lead, achieves a sense of agency when various murders take an immense toll on his body and mind. Diaz-Silverio delivers sucker punches of emotion, his performance shoving the viewer’s heart through a meat grinder. It’s pulverizing, nuanced, and fresh. His moving portrayal is counterbalanced by Roach’s comedic chops and her character’s willingness to say whatever she thinks; she’s brazen and sharp, yet there’s such charm in her performance you can’t help but root for her survival.

Departing Seniors works overtime to make you care about the characters’ fates, giving them full-bodied lives and allowing them to feel like actual people. Javier and Bianca’s chemistry together is intoxicating. As the killer, who wears a sad-happy theatre mask, circles around them, their deep connection and loyalty to one another sews the film together. It just wouldn’t be the same without Diaz-Silverio and Roach’s magnetic presence and dedication to the work.

A group of bullies — led by Trevor (Cameron Scott Roberts) and his low-key racist, bigoted girlfriend Ginny (Maisie Merlock) — put their boots on Javier’s and Bianca’s necks, metaphorically speaking. This emotional underpinning gives further weight to several character beats and story arcs. Javier’s English teacher Mr. Arda (Yani Gellman) is the only one who takes an interest in Javier and offers words of advice about what it means to navigate the tumultuous, sometimes unbearable, high school experience.

When the killer is revealed, Javier has a choice to continue with the killer’s vengeful, bloody plans or choose to forgive. The delicate balance lies at the heart of the film — pulsating against queer freedom, friendship, and love. As the clock ticks down, the young queer kid makes his final choice.

While Departing Seniors features little blood, it’s never to the detriment of the film. There’s still plenty of violence, which hinges on one uncomfortable kill, in particular, that takes place in the school’s locker room. The film, which should come with a trigger warning for a startling depiction of suicide, is surprisingly funny, enchanting, and moving — even Roberts’ character gets a few moments of downright gutting emotional scenes. When it comes to independent cinema, Departing Seniors is the cream of the crop. Don’t miss it.

The film is out now on VOD. Check out the trailer below.

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