One Eight Seven

Trevor Garfield, an African American science teacher, faces unprecedented threats from Dennis Broadway, a gang-affiliated student. After failing Dennis in class, the student reacts violently, graffitiing the number 187, which is a police code for homicide, throughout Trevor’s textbook, signaling his intent to harm.

The tensions escalate into a horrifying ambush where Dennis, feeling threatened by his academic failure, attacks Trevor with a shiv. This devastating incident leaves Trevor fighting for his life and marks a turning point in his career and psyche.

Fifteen months after the attack, Trevor transfers to John Quincy Adams High School in the San Fernando Valley, hoping for a fresh start as a substitute teacher. However, he finds himself in another tumultuous situation, assigned to a class filled with delinquents, including those from a notorious gang.

At his new school, Trevor grapples with a disruptive class led by Benito 'Benny' Chacón, the head of the K.O.S. gang. Benny makes it clear that he will not show Trevor any respect, setting the stage for an ongoing conflict.

Colleague Ellen Henry confides in Trevor about Benny's menacing threats against her life. This conversation highlights the indifference of the school's administration towards the very real dangers faced by their staff, adding layers of tension and fear to Trevor's environment.

As Trevor and Ellen navigate the treacherous dynamics of their school, a bond develops between them. Yet, Trevor's past traumas and erratic behavior complicate their relationship, creating a push-pull dynamic that adds emotional weight to their struggles.

After Benny murders a rival tagger and disappears, César, Benny's unhinged partner, assumes a threatening role. The conflicts intensify as Trevor finds himself increasingly targeted by the K.O.S. gang under César's unpredictable leadership.

César graphically depicts the death of Ellen's dog, Jack, through destructive graffiti, showcasing the escalating violence surrounding Trevor and his colleagues. This event acts as a turning point, highlighting the overarching themes of loss and brutality.

César undergoes a traumatic experience when he is shot with a morphine-filled syringe and wakes to find one of his fingers severed. This moment signifies the chaotic and violent environment at the school and serves as a chilling warning of the consequences of gang loyalty.

Rita Martínez, a bright student whom Trevor mentors, faces relentless bullying from the K.O.S. gang and eventually drops out. Her struggle encapsulates the systemic issues within the school, further illustrating Trevor's fight against a corrupt educational system.

The discovery of Benny's lifeless body in the Los Angeles River, ruled as a drug overdose, raises alarm among both students and faculty. Suspicions arise towards Trevor, suggesting his involvement in Benny's demise and shedding light on the tension he faces.

Believing Trevor is responsible for Benny’s death and César's disfigurement, the K.O.S. gang plots to kill him. This imminent threat outlines the escalating stakes for Trevor as he grapples with the repercussions of the violence around him.

The climax reaches a horrifying peak as Trevor is forced into a deadly game of Russian roulette with César at his home. This moment captures the desperation and futility of their violence-saturated lives, culminating in a tragic and self-destructive showdown.

On graduation day, Rita returns to honor Trevor by presenting an essay about the impact he had on her life. Her reflection ties back to the themes of Pyrrhic victory, evoking the profound lessons learned despite the losses encountered throughout their tumultuous journey.

Disillusioned by the violence and chaos that permeated the school, Ellen decides to leave teaching. She symbolically discards her teaching certificate, representing the emotional toll and the struggles educators face in attempting to enact change amidst failure.