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Joshua Jackson, Paul Walker, Hill Harper, Leslie Bibb, Christopher McDonald ... see more see more... , Steve Harris , William L. Petersen , Craig T. Nelson , David Christo

In this suspense drama, a college student finds himself immersed in forces beyond his control. Born and raised in a working-class Connecticut community, Luke McNamara (Joshua Jackson) made it into an ... read more read more...Ivy League college, where he's done quite well; his dream is to be accepted into Harvard Law School, but he knows that it will take more than a good report card to beat out the competition. When an upper-crust secret society called the Skulls asks Luke to join, he eagerly accepts, thinking that the club's connections will help him gain acceptance to Harvard. He enjoys the Skulls' luxurious lifestyle, but when his roommate, a journalism student, dies of an apparent suicide, he's convinced that something is wrong. The deeper Luke digs into the secrets of the Skulls, the more he's convinced that his friend's death was no suicide and that he's put himself in more danger than he imagined. The Skulls was the first starring vehicle for Joshua Jackson, who gained fame on the TV series Dawson's Creek; the supporting cast includes Paul Walker, Craig T. Nelson, Hill Harper, and William L. Petersen. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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48% liked it

55,670 ratings

Critics

9% liked it

85 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Rob Cohen

Release Date: April 1, 2000

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DVD Release Date: October 24, 2000

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Stats: 1,365 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,365)

  • fb729949618
    November 11, 2011
    fb729949618
    This movie had lots of potential, but never filled it. The premise and the actual story is really interesting, but the cheesy acting kills the film.
  • Deano78
    February 26, 2011
    Deano78
    Finally got round to viewing this. A good young cast, including a very young Paul Walker. It's a decent conspiracy thriller about a secret society that picks the best students from the top universities. After a friends apparent suicide on campus though, is there more to this elit... read moree group. It's entertaining, and has a strong cast line up, locations and action. If you like an thrillers check this out.
  • DrZeek
    January 11, 2009
    DrZeek
    Caleb Mandrake: You've been digging, Luke, and if you keep digging, you'll be digging your own grave.

    A hilarious comedy about commitment, secret societies, and murder cover-ups. Featuring The Might Ducks' Joshua Jackson, Meet the Deedles' Paul Walker, Shooter McGavin as a heav... read morey, and Craig T. Nelson's sinister mustache.

    Senator Ames Levritt: Our rules supercede those of the outside world.
  • thmtsang
    July 14, 2007
    thmtsang
    I love Joshua. Good thriller about faternity.
  • superclerk25
    January 9, 2007
    superclerk25
    Nothing original here.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 3, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    good concept, terrible cast and acting
  • deano
    October 11, 2006
    deano
    It was quite good between the society and murder. Jackson's the hero in his first role.
  • mrbungle7821
    February 23, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]In the prestigous college of Yale there exists an actual club known as the 'Skulls and Crossbones' which is now the basis for a teeny bopper thriller. Don't say Yale never paid its debt toward society.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The Sku... read morells are the campus country club, the boy's only treehouse, the velvet rope of the Ivy League. When most go on father/son picnics the Skulls posture about and brood in gothic castles with large words melded to larger walls. So sunshine and proper education be damned. They posess a long list of alumni, including Craig T. Nelson and a senator who appears driving around on campus so much you'd think he's scouting girls.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Enter WB heart-throb Joshua Jackson who wishes to join the elite boy scout troupe. Who wouldn't with the cars they hand out at you? Sadly the only black guy in the film, and probably the Ivy League for that matter (not a comment on racial intelligence) -who of course happens to be Jackson's friend- gets killed. Jackson starts having second thoughts on joining the overzealous organization. The rest of the flick is Jackson's quest to bring down the Skulls which somehow coincides with a lot of silly car chases. You think the Skulls could afford a car that could outrun a 'Dawson's Creek' kid.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The Skulls have bigger problems at hand than Joshua Jackson. Anyone with basic knowledge of turning a doorknob could break into this security behemoth. And what kind of working secret society is it when everyone on campus knows all about your organization? Doesn't this defy the meaning of "secret"? Usually a secret is better kept without large Skull banners, let alone Skull insignia branded onto members' flesh. You won't be fooling any people about being a member of the Skulls with a huge skull branding sindged on your damn arm in plain sight! There is so much Skull merchandise I figured there would be a Skulls home pregnancy test and some items endoresed by ad-man Michael Jordan. The reach the members of the Skulls posess defies logical thinking. Turns out these groups of angsty kids are more powerful than the CIA, FBI, KGB, and KFC combined. Must be their self-imposed lock on Clerasel and the WB's Wednesday lineup.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]'The Skulls' is teeny camp protrayed at its venerable worst. It starts to enter the so-bad-it's-good range but then you remember easily again that it is bad. Why do I have the feeling the actors involved in this will be signing their 'Skulls' checks under false names? Too bad you can't be anonymous with a damn Skull branding on your wrist.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: D [/color][/font]
  • burgerstar
    August 25, 2010
    burgerstar
    If you liked this, I recommend "The Good Sheppard" or vice versa
  • xxdebxx
    December 22, 2010
    xxdebxx
    Joshua Jackson plays a college student who gains entry to a secret society that includes senators and judges. A secret society so powerful, it can give you anything...at a price. During a hazing he befriends Caleb Mandrake (Paul Walker) who is trying to live up to his father's l... read moreegacy in the Skulls.
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    Although thrust into a world of wealth and power, he begins to question his loyalty to the Skulls following the mysterious death of his friend who was investigating the secret society.
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    The Skulls initially seems to offer an intriguing story. Everyone plays their part well, but no one really stands out. Joshua Jackson is a likable hero, and the gorgeous Paul Walker plays a decent conflicted character.
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Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector
March 5, 2007
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

Initially tolerable but increasingly stupid. Full Review

Liam Lacey
March 22, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

In an otherwise boneheaded hour and a half of intrigue and silliness, The Skulls does offer one of the more memorable lines of dialogue in recent movies. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The contrivances pile up more quickly than snowfall in a Buffalo winter, and the ending is so lame that it provoked guffaws from theater-goers attending the screening along with me. Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

The Skulls? More like numbskulls.

Robin Rauzi
January 1, 2000
Robin Rauzi, Los Angeles Times

As a breakout role for WB star Jackson, The Skulls doesn't fare as well. Full Review

Tom Keogh
January 1, 2000
Tom Keogh, Film.com

The Skulls looks plain silly without an appropriate tone or sustaining context.

Jan Stuart
January 1, 2000
Jan Stuart, Newsday

Hare-brained suspense thriller.

Godfrey Cheshire
January 1, 2000
Godfrey Cheshire, Variety

A silly, hackneyed college suspenser put across with all the contrived banality of a bad '70s TV movie. Full Review

Kendall Morgan
January 1, 2000
Kendall Morgan, Dallas Morning News

The film drags in the middle, ends with an anticlimax and requires a fair amount of suspension of disbelief throughout. Full Review

Christy Lemire
January 1, 2000
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

The writing is so bad that it's impossible not to laugh out loud at scenes intended to be scary or serious. Full Review

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The Skulls Trivia

  • In Pirates of The Carribean, what was the design on the cursed coins?  Answer »
  • Name the actor who appeared in all of the following films: The Mighty Ducks, Cruel Intentions, and The Skulls.  Answer »
  • Name the Actor/Actress in these movies: Joy Ride The Skulls Into the Blue  Answer »
  • Paul Walker's dad was in The Skulls.  Answer »
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