The Tutor travels to palatial mansions in the New York City suburbs. He makes a good living as a private instructor for wealthy offspring. A dream opportunity for big money is too good to pass up with a pregnant girlfriend, but gets more than he bargained for with an obsessive new student. What begins as a curious fixation transforms into something treacherous and sinister. Past secrets come to light that substantially reframes the narrative. The film suffers from major logic flaws but keeps you hooked to a pulpy climax with a devilish turn.
Ethan Campbell (Garrett Hedlund) is the titular tutor, coveted over by moneyed elites. An opening montage shows rich kids thriving under his friendly instruction. He’s madly in love with Annie (Victoria Justice). They’re about to have their first child, but she’s concerned they aren’t married. He doesn’t want to be anything like his drunken lout of a father.
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Ethan gets a fantastic but mysterious job offer through his company. He can make $2,500 dollars a day for a week’s work tutoring Jackson. Ethan’s driven to a beautiful estate. The butler (Kamran Shaikh) says very little as Ethan’s shown the grounds and his incredible room. There’s even a pool table. However, a strange interaction with his student’s cousin (Jonny Weston) and smirking girls at the luxurious pool puts Ethan on edge.
A Surprise Visit
Vertical Entertainment
Jackson (Noah Schnapp of Stranger Things) seems to be a brilliant teen in their first meeting. His professional dress, carefully combed hair, and attentive demeanor impresses Ethan. That changes when Jackson makes a surprise visit to his room that night. There’s something wrong with him. Jackson won’t tell Ethan what his father does for a living or why his mother left. Ethan’s unease grows after their next bizarre session. Jackson casually throws him money like a bought servant. Ethan decides he won’t accept an offer to remain Jackson’s tutor for the entire summer. It’s a decision that doesn’t sit well with Jackson.
Jackson employs bribery and greed as an initial tactic to lure Ethan in The Tutor. What teacher could turn down making thousands per day? Jackson ups the ante once he sees Ethan becoming suspicious of his behavior. Sure the kid has problems, but he’s willing to pay more, and more still. Ethan has a price and can be bought despite warning signs. His gut feeling tells him to leave immediately, but you can’t leave cold, hard cash.
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The second act reveals Jackson’s nature and diabolical intentions. An ostensibly smart protagonist would never engage Jackson further or allow him to intrude on his personal life. A vindictive student contacting pregnant Annie behind Ethan’s back is absurd, but it’s a crossed line that opens up the plot. It’s a necessary progression for this thriller, but entirely unbelievable. This is the point where The Tutor fails even with a willing suspension of disbelief.
A Method to Madness
Good pacing and a rousing orchestral score increases tension as Jackson gets downright nasty. The rub is there’s actual method to Jackson’s madness. The big reveal regarding his true purpose and fascination with Ethan is a good enough payoff. It’s totally improbable and unrealistic, but fun villainy to watch.
The Tutor is a production of AZA Films, Lost Winds Entertainment, and Three Point Capital. It will have a theatrical release on March 24th from Vertical.
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