The Pupil
A harrowing Dutch social drama follows a twelve-year-old boy forced to navigate secrecy, grooming, and the cruel aftermath of being believed.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- harrowing
- oppressive
- intimate
- serious viewing
- social issue discussion
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ries uses his position as Daan's football coach to groom him over time.
After the truth emerges, Daan is overwhelmed by shame and must face others' reactions.
Daan confronts uncomfortable and sometimes ruthless responses from people around him after the abuse is revealed.
Daan's age, isolation, secrecy, and emotional burden organize the central dramatic experience.
Films like The Pupil, and why
The Tale
Shares an intimate, harrowing social-drama approach to sexual abuse, secrecy, and the aftermath of disclosure.
Mysterious Skin
Shares a child-centered perspective on sexual abuse, trauma, isolation, and damaged trust.
Spotlight
Shares a serious investigative and institutional focus on abuse, public reckoning, and the difficult reactions surrounding victims.
Movie Details
- Director
- Karin Junger
- Release Date
- 2025-10-30
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (4)
Cast
- Bart de Wilde
- Gijs Naber
- Hadewych Minis
- Marcel Hensema
- Joost Meuwsen
- David Aarts
Common questions
- What is The Pupil about?
- A harrowing Dutch social drama follows a twelve-year-old boy forced to navigate secrecy, grooming, and the cruel aftermath of being believed.
- What is The Pupil like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Pupil as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Pupil violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Pupil as mild.
- Which films are like The Pupil?
- Films with a similar feel include The Tale, Mysterious Skin, and Spotlight.
- How long is The Pupil?
- The Pupil runs 105 minutes.
