During a harsh Montréal winter, an elementary-school class is left reeling after its teacher commits suicide. Bachir Lazhar, a charismatic Algerian immigrant, steps in as the substitute teacher for the classroom of traumatized children. All the while, he must keep his personal life tucked away: the fact that he is seeking political refuge in Québec – and that he, like the children, has suffered an appalling loss.

School Life
2019
6.9/10

The Beautiful Person
2008
6.5/10

The House by the Sea
2017
6.5/10

Detachment
2011
7.6/10

Forsaken
2026
7.5/10

The Holdovers
2023
7.6/10

Far from Men
2015
6.8/10

Number One Fan
2014
6.1/10

Pay It Forward
2000
7.4/10

Hereafter
2010
6.2/10

My Little Princess
2011
6.5/10

24 Days
2014
6.6/10

Ghostlight
2024
7.2/10

Dead Poets Society
1989
8.3/10

Young Mothers
2025
6.5/10

I Killed My Mother
2009
7.4/10

The Shack
2017
7.5/10

A Map of the World
1999
6.0/10

Kindergarten Cop
1990
6.1/10

Small Change
1976
7.1/10
Backpack
2020
0/10