Teenage Wasteland

2025 1h 50m EN

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 6

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Inspired by an unconventional teacher, a group of teenagers in upstate New York in the early 1990s make a student film and uncover a vast conspiracy that is poisoning their community. Thirty years later, they revisit their film and confront the legacy of this transformative experience.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

NetflixSubscription

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Cast

Fred Isseks
Self
Jeffrey Dutemple
Self
Rachel Raimist
Self
David Birmingham
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Amanda McBaine
Writers: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Amanda McBaine, shot by Thorsten Thielow. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by T. Griffin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Christopher Passig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Fred Isseks and Jeffrey Dutemple and Rachel Raimist carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt34966955 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Amanda McBaine directs. Thorsten Thielow behind the camera. T. Griffin scores. Christopher Passig cuts. Produced in United States of America, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released last year.
2International production across 2 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Amanda McBaine, shot by Thorsten Thielow. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by T. Griffin. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Christopher Passig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Fred Isseks and Jeffrey Dutemple and Rachel Raimist carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt34966955 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 6 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Thorsten Thielow
Original score: T. Griffin
Editing: Christopher Passig
Production design: Brett J. Banakis
Runtime: 110 min · 1h 50m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Teenage Wasteland (2025)

Also by

Amanda McBaine

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Production companies

Who made it

MI
Mile End Films
US
Participant
US
Closer Media
US
RI
Rise Films
GB
Matador Content
US

Key crew

ProducerAmanda McBaine
ProducerJesse Moss
ProducerTeddy Leifer
ProducerDanny Breen
ProducerFlorrie Priest
Executive ProducerJeff Skoll
Executive ProducerCourtney Sexton
Executive ProducerWilliam Horberg
Executive ProducerJoey Marra
Executive ProducerDan O'Meara
Executive ProducerZhang Xin
Co-Executive ProducerLeah Culton Gonzalez
Co-Executive ProducerMark DiCristofaro
EditorChristopher Passig
Production DesignBrett J. Banakis

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

teacher
conspiracy
new york state
middletown
toxic waste

Release history · US

When it landed

Premiere2025-01-28· Sundance Film Festival
Premiere2025-02-28· True/False Film Festival
Premiere2025-02-27· MoMA Doc Fortnight
Premiere2025-03-29· The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival
Premiere2025-04-10· Wisconsin Film Festival
Premiere2025-04-19· PFS SpringFest
Premiere2025-04-11· This Is Not a Fiction Festival
Premiere2025-04-25· Milwaukee Film Festival / San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
Premiere2025-05-04· DocLands Film Festival
Premiere2025-04-05· Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

Also known as

International titles

MiddletownUS

7.4