Cheaters

From the very start, Handsome Davis and Sammy Green steal teachers' test answer keys to cheat on tests. In kindergarten, Evan Rosengarten becomes their regular helper, doing homework in exchange for porn videos Handsome steals from his dad's collection. Evan's mother eventually discovers that Handsome gave her son a bestiality tape, leaving Handsome counting on his father's shame to dodge consequences.

In middle school, Evan continues doing their homework for a cut of the profits, with Handsome providing the porn. The trio relies more on Evan's work while expanding their cheating operations. The dynamic solidifies their pattern of cheating and secrecy.

In high school, Handsome teams up with Victor Barone and Jon Applebee to expand their cheating empire. They steal the janitor's master key and begin trading answers for money and favors. Principal Stark publicly announces that all school locks will be changed, escalating the stakes.

They attempt to access Teddy Blue's file in a break-in, but Applebee hesitates. The janitor catches them in the act, forcing them to improvise a lie to escape. The failure shows how close they are to being caught.

Physics class looms: Handsome fakes confessing to Mr. Harkin to facilitate Victor copying the answer key. Victor suggests cutting ties with Applebee, but Handsome insists on excluding Applebee only from the upcoming midterm. The plan strains their alliance as midterm pressure mounts.

Handsome, Victor, and Applebee cheat on the physics midterm, triggering Harkin's confrontation. In a dramatic moment, Handsome strips his shirt, and Harkin appears to believe his denial. Sammy and Victor are reprimanded by Principal Stark.

For the world history final, Mrs. Herman's 'grade book' becomes leverage against the seniors. Julie Merkel tutors Sammy, and Sammy withdraws from cheating. Victor pranks Herman's adopted sons and, with Handsome, recruits them to steal their mother's answer key; the six-person crew abandons crib sheets for an obscene song to memorize the answers. Principal Stark spares Sammy and Victor.

Towards the end of senior year, Mrs. Herman uses the grade book as leverage against the students, spurring Handsome and Victor to steal and destroy it. The fear of final-grade consequences threatens the class, and an anonymous letter blaming Victor reaches Stark, who then relies on Sammy to confirm guilt. Handsome and Victor suspect Applebee wrote the letter and worry about depositions.

Handsome tries to intimidate Julie into silence by hinting she will be mocked at graduation, while Applebee testifies against Victor. The web of blame tightens as the group prepares for video depositions and further consequences. The shift from cheating to potential legal trouble becomes clear.

Sammy offers Victor a plea bargain: retake world history in summer school to still graduate. Victor reveals Handsome's involvement in his own guilty plea, and Sammy extends the same offer to Handsome, who accepts. The trio's fates begin to hinge on legal consequences rather than just cheating.

At graduation, Handsome apologizes to Applebee for having looked at his psychological profile earlier in the year. Mr. Harkin awards Handsome a physics achievement, and the crowd mocks him with chants of 'cheated on the midterm' as he shrugs it off. The scene underscores the complex legacy of their cheating.

As the credits roll, it’s revealed that Mrs. Herman's adopted sons wrote the anonymous letter to target Victor, and that Victor himself is adopted. Sammy attempted to have sex with Julie in her sleep. Mr. Harkin taught Handsome and Victor's summer school class, and they wore skimpy clothing to try for A-grades, suggesting the teacher's possible complicity or closeness to the scheme.