Anthem of a Teenage Prophet (2018)

(On Cable TV, June 2021) There’s a weird genre shift in Anthem of a Teenage Prophet that defies expectations — specifically genre viewers’ expectations. A low-budget, gray-and-grainy small-town kind of film, it’s resolutely as unglamorous and un-glossy as filmmaking can be. The characters live in a dreary reality, and that does double for our protagonist, a drug-addled teenager who, one night, predicts with uncanny accuracy the fatal accident that will claim the life of his best friend the following day. There are witnesses, and they’re quick to herald him as “the prophet of death,” leading to all sorts of unwanted attention and resentment. But whereas genre viewers could expect greater development of this psychic ability, Anthem of a Teenage Prophet remains in a resolutely pseudo-realistic mode — focusing on the low-down drama of the protagonist’s situation rather than exploring his paranormal powers. Whatever premonition flashes he gets usually lead to more trouble, especially when he gets visions of another friend killing himself. It’s not badly made once you get used to its naturalistic approach, but it can be more trying than expected for those wanting more. Cameron Monaghan leads the cast, with Peyton List providing good support as the dead friend’s girlfriend as the two grow closer. The 1990s atmosphere is not particularly overdone, with Director Robin Hays clearly going for more intimate goals. On the one hand — good on Anthem of a Teenage Prophet for doing the unexpected. On the other hand — why waste so much potential?