State’s Evidence

State’s Evidence

Year: 2004

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Benjamin Louis

CrimeDramaThrillerHorror

Suicide is never easy. Six high school teenagers decide to commit suicide together, but their plans soon go awry when one of them has something darker in mind as well.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen State’s Evidence yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – State’s Evidence (2004)

Explore the full timeline and setting of State’s Evidence (2004). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

High School, Supermarket, Science Lab

Set primarily on a suburban high school campus, the story unfolds across halls, classrooms, and the computer lab. The school becomes a pressure cooker where rumors and cruelty escalate into violence. A supermarket scene and a science room scene feature in Patrick's disturbing tape, underscoring how ordinary spaces can host extraordinary cruelty.

🏫 High School 🧭 Suburban Setting 🎥 Video Culture

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:46

Main Characters – State’s Evidence (2004)

Meet the key characters of State’s Evidence (2004), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scott (Douglas Smith)

A thoughtful, weary student who declares an intent to end his life while documenting it. He becomes the reluctant participant and uneasy observer as Patrick’s plan unfolds. His relationship with Sandy adds a spark of tenderness and hope amid growing violence. He ultimately confesses that the act stemmed from boredom and a desire to live, before dying.

🎭 Drama 🧭 Moral conflict 📷 Camera as witness

Patrick (Kris Lemche)

A volatile, obsessive student who crafts a kill list and films his acts. He pressures others and orchestrates violence, culminating in a deadly confrontation. His disturbing tapes reveal a sense of entitlement and cruelty, including a scene involving rape and murder in a supermarket. He dies by suicide on camera after delivering a monologue about awakening the public.

💥 Violence 🧠 Instability 🎯 Obsession

Sandy (Alexa PenaVega)

Compassionate and morally principled, she tries to stop Patrick’s plans and acts as a voice of reason among the friends. Her interactions with Scott deepen into a tender romance that offers a glimmer of hope. She confronts the violence and helps the group recognize the consequences of their actions.

💖 Romance 🗣️ Dialogue 🛡️ Protective

Tyrone Johnson (Andrew McFarlane)

A local bully who becomes a target of Patrick's violence and a focal point of fear within the group. He is depicted as vulnerable, crying under threat, highlighting the human cost of schoolyard cruelty. His confrontation with Patrick escalates the violence and leads to a pivotal outcome.

👊 Bullying 🧊 Victim 💢 Aggression

Trudi (Majandra Delfino)

One of Scott’s best friends who warns against Patrick’s escalating behavior. She challenges the group’s dynamics and speaks up about the danger of their plans. Her loyalty creates tension within the circle, yet she remains a moral center for the group.

🎭 Drama 💬 Morality 🫂 Friendship

Brian (Cody McMains)

A close friend who forms part of the group’s supportive dynamics. He is pulled into the dangerous plan by peer pressure and must navigate the gravity of their actions. He offers loyalty and a grounded perspective amid the escalating violence.

🤝 Friendship 🧭 Loyalty 🎯 Identity

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:46

Major Themes – State’s Evidence (2004)

Explore the central themes of State’s Evidence (2004), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💥 Bullying

Bullying fuels the group’s dynamics from the start, culminating in Patrick's list of targets and Tyrone's intimidation. The plan to film and share violence demonstrates how cruelty can hide behind jokes and bravado. The characters' fear of social exclusion pushes them toward dangerous actions rather than seeking help. The film suggests that bullying creates a need for dominance that, when unchecked, ends in tragedy.

🎥 Media and Violence

The 'State's Evidence' tapes show how violence becomes a form of entertainment and social currency. The boys treat the footage as a commodity to upload and compare, blurring lines between witness and participant. The media's appetite for sensational content feeds the boys' detachment and moral complicity. The ending implies that media spectacle can desensitize audiences to real harm and provide a pseudo-justification for horrific acts.

🤔 Existential Boredom

Scott’s admission that he wanted to live but was driven by boredom reveals a fragile humanity beneath the surface of teenage violence. The film explores the lure of belonging, as friends turn to extreme acts to prove themselves. It presents suicide as a complicated choice—not simply an escape, but an assertion of control over life and death. In the end, Scott’s realization comes too late, leaving the question of meaning unresolved.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:46

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about teenage nihilism and violence like State’s Evidence

Stories of alienated youth whose despair escalates into extreme, violent acts.Explore a collection of movies like State’s Evidence that delve into the disturbing psychology of alienated teenagers. These films share a bleak tone and heavy emotional weight, focusing on stories where youthful despair culminates in violent acts, school tragedies, and shocking consequences for the characters and their community.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically follows a group or individual teenager grappling with intense feelings of isolation, bullying, or existential ennui. What begins as angst or melancholy transforms into a dangerous plan, often starting as a vague idea that gains terrifying momentum. The story methodically escalates tension as the characters move closer to an irreversible point of no return, culminating in a devastating climax of violence or self-destruction.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together due to their unflinching focus on the link between adolescent mental health crises and extreme violence. They share a consistently dark tone, high intensity, and a bleak, often tragic, conclusion. The emotional journey is heavy, creating a harrowing and thought-provoking viewing experience centered on a specific, disturbing facet of youth.

Movies with a steady buildup to tragedy like State’s Evidence

Narratives where a troubling plan is set in motion, leading to a devastating, unavoidable conclusion.If you appreciated the methodical, tense buildup in State’s Evidence, this thread collects similar thrillers and dramas. These movies follow a steady pace toward an inevitable, bleak climax, creating a harrowing sense of dread. They are characterized by high intensity, a dark tone, and stories where a terrible plan leads to tragic consequences.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is defined by its forward momentum toward a known or strongly foreshadowed catastrophic event. The plot unfolds with a procedural feel, detailing the preparations, doubts, and key moments that lead to the climax. This creates a unique form of suspense rooted not in 'what' will happen, but in the unsettling 'how' and the emotional toll on everyone involved. The ending is almost always bleak, emphasizing the senselessness and finality of the tragedy.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific pacing and structure—a steady, unrelenting march toward disaster. They share a high level of sustained tension and a dark, often claustrophobic atmosphere. The viewing experience is defined by a feeling of powerlessness and dread, as the narrative refuses to offer escapes or happy twists, staying true to its grim trajectory.

Unlock the Full Story of State’s Evidence

Don't stop at just watching — explore State’s Evidence in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what State’s Evidence is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

State’s Evidence Summary

Read a complete plot summary of State’s Evidence, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

State’s Evidence Summary

State’s Evidence Timeline

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State’s Evidence Timeline

State’s Evidence Spoiler-Free Summary

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State’s Evidence Spoiler-Free Summary

More About State’s Evidence

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about State’s Evidence: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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