The Faculty (1998)

When their principal and teachers begin behaving in strange and mysterious ways, six disparate students have their worst suspicions confirmed. Parasitic aliens have taken over the staff and are now taking over the student body. Directed by Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY) from a screenplay by Kevin Williamson (SCREAM), this silly but quite effective horror movie is either a homage to or a ripoff of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956 or 1978) or John Carpenter's THE THING. It's quite enjoyable but it's also inconsistent which is why it pales to either of its inspirations. For example: once a parasite has taken over the body, they're easy to recognize because their behavior changes but when several of the protagonists change, it comes as a surprise because their behavior has been the same all along! But it's not the kind of movie where logic plays a major part so it's best not to take it seriously at all. While I never feel guilty about enjoying any movie, I suppose this movie falls under the category of "guilty pleasure". The students are as stereotypical types as the six protagonists of THE BREAKFAST CLUB but the young cast is good (well, maybe not Josh Hartnett). The large ensemble cast includes Salma Hayek, Jon Stewart, Elijah Wood, Piper Laurie, Bebe Neuwirth, Usher Raymond, Famke Janssen, Clea DuVall, Robert Patrick, Christopher MacDonald, Shawn Hatosy, Jordana Brewster and Laura Harris.