1/25/24 - The Teacher’s Lounge (2023) - 7+/10

Taut and stress inducing in this sordid mess of catching a thief at a grade school. Director Ilker Çatak weaves tension into the fabric of every scene, discussion, interaction, and pensive solitary respite. It makes your shoulders constrict and your jaw harden. One of the more stressful films I have seen since Uncut Gems.

The acting is pitch perfect. The use of those Hitchcockian violin strings expertly throw logs on the anxiety fire. It is just a quick and unyielding film that is lean and mean in the best way.