K-12 (film)

K-12
Film poster
Directed by	Melanie Martinez Alissa Torvinen
Written by	Melanie Martinez
Produced by	Wes Teshome Phil Botti Tyler Zelinsky Kimberly Stuckwisch Alissa Torvinen Gergely Varga
Starring	Melanie Martinez Emma Harvey Zión Moreno Megan Gage Zinnett Hendrix Jesy McKinney Marsalis Wilson Maggie Budzyna
Cinematography	Josh McKie
Edited by	Melanie Martinez Emilie Aubrey Niles Howard
Music by	Melanie Martinez Michael Keenan
Production companies	Little Ugly Productions Frame 48
Distributed by	Abramorama (North America) Atlantic Records (Worldwide)
Release date	September 3, 2019 (2019-09-03) (Los Angeles) September 5, 2019 (2019-09-05) (in select theaters) September 6, 2019 (2019-09-06)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Budget	$5-6 million[1]
Box office	$359,377[2]

K-12 is a 2019 American musical fantasy horror film written and directed by Melanie Martinez and co-directed by Alissa Torvinen, that accompanied her second studio album of the same name. It stars Martinez, Emma Harvey, Zión Moreno, Megan Gage, Zinnett Hendrix, Jesy McKinney, Marsalis Wilson and Maggie Budzyna. The film follows Cry Baby (played by Martinez), a brave-hearted girl and her charming best friend, who make a bewitching pair as they embark on a mission to take down the oppressive schooling system of K-12.

In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Martinez said that her then-untitled second studio album was finished and would be accompanied by a film that she was writing and directing and that it would be "all of the videos together of the next record, all thirteen, with dialogue and whatnot in between connecting all of them together." It was filmed in Budapest, Hungary over a span of 31 days.

K-12 was shown in select theaters for one day only on September 5, 2019 and was officially released on September 6, 2019, by Abromorama in North American territories and Atlantic Records internationally through YouTube. The film received favorable reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised its production values, themes, and songs, but criticism for its screenplay, acting and special effects.

Plot[]

Cry Baby wakes up to prepare for her first day at K-12 Sleepaway School. She rides the school bus with her best friend, Angelita, where she is tormented and bullied by her schoolmates (“Wheels on the Bus”). When the bus loses control and plunges into the water, Cry Baby and Angelita reveal supernatural abilities that allow them to lift the bus into the sky and land outside of K-12.

After Cry Baby and Angelita arrive late to class, the students are called to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. A boy named Henry refuses in protest, and is forcibly removed. During class, Kelly, a popular but cruel girl, grows jealous of Cry Baby after seeing her flirting with her boyfriend Brandon. Kelly throws a ball of paper at Cry Baby, threatening to attack her at recess. Angelita advises Cry Baby to use her powers to fight, but Cry Baby insists it’s cheating. She reluctantly telephones her mother for advice, who doesn’t respond (“Class Fight”). During the fight, Cry Baby’s powers are triggered, causing her and Kelly to levitate, and they are later sent to the principal’s office.

The principal reprimands Ms. Harper, a transgender teacher, and fires her. Cry Baby discovers he is forcing medication on students to control them. Cry Baby criticizes the principal through the phone for his oppressive behaviour. He is then poisoned but recovers promptly (“The Principal”). Cry Baby arrives late to class and is turned into a marionette puppet (“Show & Tell”). After being sent to the nurse’s office, she meets with Angelita. The nurses restrain them and force medication upon them (“Nurse’s Office”). They are saved by Lilith, an angelic spirit guide, who appears in a gate and tells them they must stay in K-12.

In drama class, Cry Baby requests to be assigned a less domestic role, but is ridiculed (“Drama Club”). During the school play, Cry Baby snaps and urges the audience to wake from their brainwashed state, using her abilities to free them. Cry Baby and Angelita lead the students to the principal's office, where they proceed to kill him. After burying the principal, Cry Baby and Angelita meet with Celeste, a friend with the same abilities. Cry Baby is shown in the changing room and school pool, expressing that she feels her body is objectified, addressing rape culture and victim blaming. She is placed atop a cake, as boys steal and devour pieces against her will (“Strawberry Shortcake”).

At lunch, Kelly takes Cry Baby to her lunch table. After explaining she doesn’t want to be friends, she leaves and befriends a girl named Magnolia (“Lunchbox Friends”). The group notices that Fleur, a friend of Kelly, has the same abilities. In an attempt to separate her from Kelly, they start a food fight. Cry Baby follows Fleur to the bathroom, learning she is bulimic. She shows compassion towards Fleur and the two become friends (“Orange Juice”). Cry Baby is sent to detention, after Kelly snitches to Leo, the principal’s son. Her powers weaken but she manipulates Leo into releasing her (“Detention”).

A boy named Ben slips an anonymous love letter into Cry Baby’s locker. The girls devise a plan to destroy the school, which Leo detects on security footage. Angelita and her biology teacher begin flirting. After class, he makes her shrink and tries to dissect her. Cry Baby uses her powers to stop him, and Angelita slashes him in revenge (“Teacher’s Pet”). Cry Baby emphasizes her desire for a partner who is loyal and loves her for who she is (“High School Sweethearts”).

Ben prepares to ask Cry Baby to the school dance but Leo foils his plan. Leo falsely confesses to Cry Baby that he wrote the letter; after inviting her, she eagerly accepts. Cry Baby arrives at the dance, much to the girls’ surprise. They disapprove after learning she accepted Leo’s offer. Realising she ruined the plan, she runs away. Leo declares over the loudspeaker he was aware of the plan and locks the seniors inside (“Recess”). Cry Baby disguises herself as a woman named Lorelai, deceiving Leo and locking him inside a closet. She instructs the students to evacuate the school over the loudspeaker, all of whom flee except Kelly.

Cry Baby tries to escape, when Ben approaches her, confessing he wrote the letter. They decide to blow a spit bubble, encapsulating the school. The two leap to safety as the bubble floats away, with Leo trapped inside. The girls watch below as the school explodes. Lilith reappears in the distance, and they all race towards her gate to return home. As the girls enter, Cry Baby glances back cautiously.

Cast[]

Development[]

In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Martinez said that her then-untitled second studio album was finished and would be accompanied by a film that she was writing and directing and that it would be "all of the videos together of the next record, all thirteen, with dialogue and whatnot in between connecting all of them together."^[3][4] It was filmed in Budapest, Hungary over a span of 31 days.^[5]

Production[]

Pre-production[]

On May 14, 2018, Martinez confirmed that she would be designing the costumes for the film. On September 9, 2018, she confirmed that she would be exploring some of the places in Europe for the film.^{[citation needed]}

Post-production[]

On January 2, 2019, Martinez began editing the film. On May 15, 2019, a first teaser was released. On May 22, 2019, a second teaser was released. On May 29, 2019, a third teaser was released revealing the release date. On June 17, 2019, during the MTV Movie Awards, a TV spot was released. On July 23, 2019, the official trailer was released.^{[citation needed]}

Release[]

The film was shown in select theaters on September 5, 2019 and was officially released on September 6, 2019 through VOD.^[1] It had previously premiered in Los Angeles on September 3, 2019.^{[citation needed]} Martinez also released the film on her YouTube channel for free.

Reception[]

Box office[]

K-12 grossed $303,230 domestically and an additional $56,147 from international territories, bringing its total worldwide gross to $359,377.^[2]

Critical reception[]

io9 reviewed the film, stating that "When you listen to Melanie Martinez's K-12, the album's themes about bullying, insecurity, and the importance of learning to embrace one's imperfections are all readily apparent. But when you watch the accompanying K-12 film and visually drink in the story Martinez has created, it becomes a much more powerful fairytale about the lives we lead long after leaving school."^[6] Idolator also reviewed the movie, praising it for expanding the Cry Baby universe and for its messages.^[7]

Sequel[]

On September 6, 2019, Martinez confirmed that a sequel is in the works. Martinez revealed that the film will go along with her third studio album. She began recording the album on January 31, 2021.

References[]

External links[]

• K-12 at IMDb