Those teen years can be rough, especially if you’re not part of the “cool crowd.” Being the subject of exclusion, bullying, and more can take a heavy mental toll. Many can’t rise above it all to learn too just be themselves. But a lucky few are made of tougher stuff.

The new film The Plague, which opened in limited on Christmas Day and goes wide January 2, is focused on that idea. Writer/director Charlie Polinger brings the story of boys at a camp to life, making anyone who has ever struggled to fit in feel seen.

The film is set at a water polo camp in the summer of 2003. We’re quickly introduced to Ben (Everett Blunck), who is a bit socially awkward. He’s been dropped at the camp and just wants to fit in. But it isn’t easy.

He tries to befriend Jake (Kayo Martin), who is the leader of the group in the camp. Jake has his sights set on another camper, Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), who is dubbed The Plague by Jake because of a skin condition. At first, Ben goes along with the harassment as a means of staying with the cool crowd. But when Jake pushes it further, humiliating Eli in front of all the campers, including a group of girls, Ben feels guilty.

Ben reaches out to befriend Eli. His act of kindness puts him on Jake’s list, and soon enough Ben finds himself the focus of their bullying and exclusion as well. While Eli manages to brush it off and remain himself, Ben is tormented by his exclusion. He finds himself angry at being left out and resentful of Eli’s ability to brush it off.

This is an interesting and slow-paced film. Despite the name, there isn’t really an exploration of illness, or even the skin condition plaguing Eli. It’s easy to say the actual plague is self-doubt and the war that we wage with ourselves and those that try to belittle us for differences or kindness. That’s a powerful idea and at times presents a powerful message.

The film is 98 minutes, but it feels a bit thin. We don’t really get to know much about Eli or Jake, or the rest of the boys. Joel Edgerton, a fine actor, shows up as the boys’ coach. He has a few nice scenes, but he’s not given enough depth of character, either. Even Blunck isn’t given a lot of depth as Ben, though his strong anchoring performance keeps you grounded.

This is an interesting idea to be explored and Blunck does a nice job in the lead role. Some of the shots—particularly the sequences in the pool, are captivating, too. But I wish there had been a bit more depth and a bit more to some of these interactions to add a bit more power to a nice closing sequence.

The Plague opens nationwide on Friday, January 2.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.