Goat

Set in a contemporary college environment in the early 2010s. The action stretches from the summer after a traumatic assault into the college year, with hell week hazing escalating as the semester begins. The timeframe emphasizes present-day campus culture and its capacity for cruelty.

Most of the action unfolds on a college campus and an off-campus fraternity house, with the pivotal hazing sequence taking place in a remote wooded site. The woods provide a secluded, ominous backdrop where initiation rites unfold. The university setting frames the pressure to belong and the consequences of cruelty, both social and physical.

🤝 Belonging

Brad's desperate need to belong drives him toward the fraternity, attracted by protection and life-long friendships. The hazing system promises acceptance while demanding obedience, testing his morals and loyalty. The film shows how the desire to fit in can override personal safety and family ties, at least temporarily. It also examines how belonging can fracture trust and shape identity.

💪 Toxic Masculinity

Hazing functions as a display of toughness that enforces a harsh masculine code. The rituals rely on humiliation, domination, and performance to prove worthiness within the group. Brad and his peers navigate a culture that links manhood to control and pain. The narrative critiques the normalization of cruelty as a rite of passage.

🔒 Secrecy

Secrets and silence shield hazing from authorities and accountability. The pledge master and others pressure pledges to hide what happens, creating a culture of cover-ups. As the university investigates, the veneer of fraternity loyalty collapses and trust erodes, revealing the truth behind the rituals.

💔 Trauma

Will's death becomes the brutal culmination of the hazing, underscoring the real emotional and physical cost. The aftermath follows Brad and others as they grapple with guilt, fear, and the long-term scars of abuse. The story portrays how trauma persists beyond the immediate act, influencing relationships and perceptions of safety. Healing is obstructed by secrets and the pressure to stay silent.