Larry Clark’s film follows Marty, who confides in his new girlfriend, Lisa, about his bullying and the invalidation he faces from his friend, Bobby. Lisa suggests the ultimate remedy- Bobby’s murder. They call some friends to help with the plot.

Bully has an atmosphere all of its own which veers from goofy comedy to something much more sinister (this is about planning a murder, after all).

The characterisation is excellent as, on the surface, most of the players are goofy stoners but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find something much more alarming which is young people with no concept of boundaries, direction or morals. Their parents are just as devoid of reality with the film showing that the teens’ traits are completely intergenerational. The story told by one of the teens about her grandpa murdering her grandmother and it being related to her by her mother further underlines this.

Lisa is the most interesting character as the Lady Macbeth figure who suggested the idea of homicide in Marty’s head. It’s scary how quickly events escalate.

I kept thinking of the Manson Family whilst watching this. Were they just like these characters when they were planning their atrocities?

The actual act is very intense indeed, with the reality of their crime fully hitting home. Thurston Moore brilliantly scores this scene. Indeed, the soundtrack for the whole film is brilliant.

There’s further reality at the very end of the film with the fate of the characters starkly written over stills of the accomplices. This film is based on a real case, and this ending fully shows that it is a true crime movie.

A schizophrenic experience but a rewarding one.

4 out of 5 stars