The Dirties

The Dirties Photos

View all photos

Cast & Crew

Owen Williams

Owen

Alen Delain

Alan

Krista Madison

Chrissy H.

Brandon Wickens

Jackman

Jay McCarrol

Mr. Bird

Josh Boles

Boozy

Shailene Garnett

Krissy B.

Paul Daniel Ayotte

Laren

Matt Johnson

Matt

Matt Johnson

Director

Matt Johnson

Screenwriter

Evan Morgan

Screenwriter

Matt Johnson

Producer

Matthew Miller

Producer

Evan Morgan

Producer

Jared Raab

Producer

Jay McCarrol

Original Music

Jared Raab

Cinematographer

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Dirties

Critics Consensus: Gravity is Certified Fresh

View All

Critic Reviews for The Dirties

Audience Reviews for The Dirties

• Mar 15, 2021

  I found this gem on Shudder of all places and while it is in no way a horror movie, its subject matter is definitely horrifying. Yet it doesn't play out like a grim tale at all. In fact it's quite an enjoyable watch even though it covers the very heavy subjects of high school bullying and school shootings. There is just a very subtle sense of dread once you realize where the movie will eventually take you. Nor does it glorify the underlying topics or try to have too much fun with it. This is no doubt due to the deft hand of lead actor/writer/director Matt Johnson. He is so affable and exuberant it brings almost a "lightness" to what could be a forbidding movie indeed. Matt Johnson is definitely someone to watch as he really makes a mark here.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Aug 09, 2014

  Well written and acted, The Dirties is unfortunately dead in the water thanks to the terrible execution - the use of found footage doesn't for one moment convince (nor play by its own rules with edits and non-diegetic sound).
  

  Super Reviewer
• Apr 25, 2014

  This is a pretty timely movie considering the number of school shootings that have plagued the U.S since Columbine. Granted, this is a Canadian film, where you don't really see these things happen as frequently as it does in the U.S. The film looks at two best friends making a film for school and they've decided to make it about this 'gang' they call, you guessed it, The Dirties, that bullies both of them. They incorporate their real-life bullying into a scripted film where they get their revenge on their bullies. Of course, as Matt and Owen start to grow apart due to the fact that Owen is finding new friends and finding himself in a new scene, Matt's psyche starts to deteriorate to where he starts to plan out an actual school shooting. Things start innocuously enough, it almost starts out like a joke to where Matt might seriously talk about it, but that's all he'd do, talk about it. As Owen starts distance himself from Matt, though, that's when things become more serious and he plans out the entire attack without even telling Owen. Matt is pretty much a psychopath and you see that deterioration in his psyche, to the point where you get to see that he's actually pretty fucked up when you think about it. The story is very heavy on film references. And, at first, you think it's a cute way of Matt Johnson, the actual director of the film and not the character he portrays, to show that he grew up as a film nerd and a cute way to pander to film lovers. But it's a very important part of the story and of Matt's personality. It's a big reason for why he ended up doing. The way he plans this out, as if what he was about to do wasn't real and it was just something to do for the film, and the way he carries it out is incredibly disturbing. This is a guy that's been bullied to the point where films are his only refuge and real escape from the bullies, that he can't even tell the difference between what's real and what's fake anymore. I think that if Owen had stuck by his friend when he really needed him, you'll know the moment, this all could've been averted. After their big argument, Owen tries to call Matt, presumably to apologize, but Matt decides not to answer and carries on with his plan. The climax is pretty disturbing because of the fact of how real school shootings are, you're almost kind of dreading it. It's certainly not a pleasant thing to watch, considering how many of these shootings we've seen. Another thing about the movie was surprising was how funny it actually was. It goes to some pretty dark places but I don't think it ever really mocks or glorifies the shootings that have taken place, which is a fine line they had to travel and I think they did so in about as nicely, for lack of a better term, a manner as possible. This is a very good movie, but it's probably one that requires some patience but it's a very rewarding film that explores some very real issues such as the effect bullying has in someone that chooses to do what Matt did. So just for that, it's worth watching. It's well-written, it has an air of authenticity, and it has a strong cast. Can't really complain about this, other than the pacing was poor at times.
  

  Super Reviewer
• Mar 16, 2014

  Wow, a dark, comic and multi layered flick that works from so many angles. A diatribe on bullying, meta-film geek tastic, a statement of high school life. You feel you are discovering a lost classic that is slightly ahead of it's time. I think Matt Johnson is probably a film-maker to keep an eye on.
  

  Super Reviewer