Detention

Detention

Year: 2003

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: English

Director: Sidney J. Furie

ThrillerActionUnderdogs and coming of ageExplosive and action-packed heroes vs. villainsViolent action guns and crime

A heroic high school teacher leads a band of students trapped in school by violent drug-runners.

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Timeline & Setting – Detention (2003)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Detention (2003). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hamilton High School

Hamilton High sits in a tough urban neighborhood, its hallways echoing with the volatility of the city. The school becomes a battleground when a criminal heist unfolds after hours, forcing students and staff to improvise for survival. The setting underscores how education and safety are precarious in places where violence bleeds into everyday life.

🏫 School 🏙️ Urban ⚠️ High-risk

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:00

Main Characters – Detention (2003)

Meet the key characters of Detention (2003), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sam Decker (Dolph Lundgren)

A former soldier who has returned to teach at Hamilton High. Disillusioned by the system, he has effectively checked out, yet he steps up when a group of armed intruders invade after hours. He relies on battlefield-honed instincts to protect the students and becomes an unexpected mentor in the crisis.

🎖️ Veteran 🛡️ Protector 👨‍🏫 Teacher

Chester Lamb

Brilliant but cruel leader of the invasion who orchestrates the hijacking of heroin. He uses surveillance and the security system to hunt the occupants, manipulating both criminals and law enforcement to fulfill his meticulous plan.

🧠 Calculating 💼 Ruthless

Gloria Waylon (Kata Dobó)

A member of Lamb's crew who stalks the students through the school. She is persistent, cunning, and a constant threat as the tension between intruders and occupants escalates.

🕶️ Stealthy ⚡ Menacing

Viktor (Joseph Scoren)

Part of Lamb's crew, Viktor moves through the building with a street-smart edge and a readiness to threaten violence. He contributes to the sense of danger and relentless pursuit of the students.

🧭 Street-smart 🔪 Dangerous

Alek (Anthony J. Mifsud)

Crew member who acts with a fiery determination and resourcefulness. He participates in the pursuit of the students while the larger conspiracy unfolds around them.

🔥 Fiery 🧰 Resourceful

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:00

Major Themes – Detention (2003)

Explore the central themes of Detention (2003), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Survival

The narrative places Sam and the students in a life-or-death situation inside the school, where every choice can mean safety or disaster. They must improvise, cooperate, and endure under fire, turning the corridors into a crucible. Survival becomes the central driver of action, shaping decisions and relationships.

🔎 Conspiracy

An elaborate crime unfolds with hijacked heroin and corruption that hints at a larger plot involving authorities. The criminals exploit the school's security systems, and power structures are questioned as the investigation reveals layers beyond a simple heist. The siege becomes a test of trust in institutions and the ability to uncover truth under pressure.

📚 Education

The crisis tests the traditional role of a teacher. Sam's leadership and the students' resourcefulness transform lessons into practical survival skills. The event forces characters to learn from each other, about courage, loyalty, and responsibility, beyond any textbook.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:00

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Detention Summary

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Detention Summary

Detention Timeline

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Detention Timeline

Detention Spoiler-Free Summary

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Detention Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Detention

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