“TEACHER’S PET” (2026): A Stylish Psychological Thriller”

Courtesy of Quiver Distribution

I’ve always believed horror is a terrifyingly curated buffet, not a single dish. Some nights I crave the raw chaos of found footage, the masked mayhem of slashers, or the gloriously messy poetry of practical-effects gore splattering across the screen. Although, there are other times I want something that crawls under my skin instead of jumping out at me. The kind of movie you watch with the lights dimmed, phone silenced, and every nerve tuned in. Psychological horror is where tension replaces blood. It is where dread simmers instead of explodes, and where a single look can be scarier than a chainsaw. Those are the nights when a movie doesn’t just scare you, it moves in, rearranges the furniture in your brain, and refuses to leave. Recently I got the chance to watch a new psychological horror movie that put me in that’s exactly the kind of unsettling space called “Teacher’s Pet”.

Right off the bat I will say I found this movie very impressive for a number of reasons. For example, “Teacher’s Pet” doesn’t just flirt with psychological horror. What is does is it stares straight into it, unblinking, daring the audience to feel uncomfortable, curious, and emotionally invested all at once. Written and directed by Noam Kroll, the movie is a masterclass in slow-burn dread. “Teacher’s Pet” is built not on cheap shocks. It is built on performances, power dynamics, and a creeping sense that something terribly wrong is hiding just beneath polite smiles and academic ambition.

LETS GET INTO THE REVIEW!

At its core, the “Teacher’s Pet” follows a brilliant yet emotionally isolated high school senior whose life begins to change when a new English teacher enters the picture. What begins as a warm, almost uplifting mentorship soon takes on darker, more manipulative tones. Kroll’s screenplay is especially impressive here because it understands that true psychological horror doesn’t arrive screaming. It shows that it arrives quietly, dressed in good intentions. The dialogue is subtle and layered, constantly walking a tightrope between kindness and control, and that tension is what makes the story so gripping. Every conversation feels like it might tip the balance, and that makes even the smallest scenes pulse with unease.

Michelle Torian anchors the movie with a performance that is both fragile and formidable. Her portrayal of the gifted student captures the aching loneliness of someone who is desperate to be seen and understood. She brings such an emotional authenticity to the role that it becomes painfully easy to understand why she’s vulnerable to manipulation. Torian doesn’t play her character as naïve or weak, but rather as deeply human. She shows that her character is brilliant, hopeful, and craving connection in a world that often feels cold. That emotional honesty makes every twist in the story hit harder.

Opposite her, Luke Barnett delivers a chillingly nuanced turn as the English teacher whose charm slowly gives way to something far more sinister. What makes Barnett’s performance so effective is how effortlessly he shifts between warmth and menace. Early on, he radiates kindness, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine desire to help. As the story unfolds, subtle cracks begin to appear, revealing a need for control that is far more dangerous than outright cruelty. Barnett never overplays it, allowing the horror to come from what he doesn’t say just as much as what he does.

The chemistry between Torian and Barnett is electric, and that’s what truly drives the movie for me. Their on-screen energy captures both the initial comfort of a mentor-student relationship and the slow, horrifying realization that it’s becoming something toxic. There is an unsettling intimacy to their scenes together. There is a push and pull between admiration and fear, that will keep the audience emotionally locked in. It certainly did so while I watched it. When the power dynamic finally tips though, the impact is devastating because Kroll has taken the time to let us believe in the bond before showing us how it rots.

Courtesy of Quiver Distribution

The supporting cast plays a crucial role in grounding the movie and giving the central conflict real weight. Clayton Royal Johnson, Kevin Makely, Sara Tomko, Drew Powell, Alexe Godin, and horror icon Barbara Crampton all contributesd performances that feel lived-in and authentic. These characters aren’t just background figures, to me they are the emotional ecosystem that surrounds the protagonists. Whether offering moments of warmth, suspicion, or quiet concern, the supporting cast provides the foundation that allows the main story to feel believable and deeply immersive.

Barbara Crampton’s presence, in particular, adds an extra layer of genre credibility and gravitas. Her performance feels like a knowing nod to horror fans while also serving the story in a meaningful way. She brings a steady, almost maternal strength to her role, reinforcing the idea that this world is populated by people who feel real, which only makes the psychological horror more effective. She is a horror queen for a reason and her performance here is just another piece of proof to that.

Visually and tonally, Kroll keeps “Teacher’s Pet” restrained but razor-sharp. The atmosphere is thick with tension, using stillness and subtlety to create unease rather than relying on flashy tricks. Classrooms, hallways, and quiet offices become stages for psychological warfare, and the mundane settings only heighten the terror. By placing this twisted story in such familiar spaces, Kroll makes the horror feel disturbingly close to home.

Courtesy of Quiver Distribution

What truly elevates “Teacher’s Pet” is how carefully it handles its themes. This is not just a thriller about obsession. It’s a story about power, vulnerability, and the dangerous line between mentorship and manipulation. Kroll’s writing respects the intelligence of the audience, trusting them to read between the lines and feel the dread building long before anything explodes into violence. The man creates not only a story that puts you on the edge of your seat, but also uses his skills as a director to keeps you there.

By the time “Teacher’s Pet” reaches its final act, the tension is nearly unbearable. When the truth finally surfaces, it does so with emotional and narrative weight. Nothing feels cheap or unearned. Every moment of horror is rooted in character, which is what makes it linger long after the credits roll. It stands perfectly on the line between horror and thriller with such grace, it will make you glad you took the time to watch it.

IS IT WORTHY OF A RECOMMEND?

“Teacher’s Pet” is proof that psychological horror thrives when it’s driven by strong writing, fearless performances, and a director who understands that the scariest monsters are often the ones who smile the sweetest. This is no surprise, but it is a high recommend for me. Take some time to enjoy this movie as soon as you can. It will be available on digital and VOD this Friday, February 6th.

Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!