10 Amazing Movies Nobody Knows About
4. Mean Creek
Despite receiving two Independent Spirit Awards and a heap of praise from Roger Ebert, 2004's coming-of-age drama Mean Creek pretty much fell off the face off the Earth within a few short years of its release.
Yet it remains one of cinema's most savagely authentic and well-crafted depictions of bullying, revolving around a group of teenagers whose plan to get revenge on their bully (Josh Peck) goes horribly wrong.
Undeniably inspired by the works of Stephen King - especially Stand by Me - this is a disturbingly frank examination of teenage strife whose potentially heightened, melodramatic throughline is brought straight back down to Earth by the efforts of a first-rate cast, including not only Josh Peck but also Rory Culkin and Scott Mechlowicz.
A haunting dark drama that pulls no punches all the way to its chilling conclusion, Mean Creek is a film that desperately deserves more eyes on it per its unflinching narrative and deep characterisation.