Elephant (2003)

Kernel Score: 77% · 2,065 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Crime, Drama

Released: 2003-09-20

Runtime: 81 minutes

Is Elephant worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A quiet, observational drama that follows a day at a high school before a shooting. It is deliberate and chilling, but offers no easy answers or explanations, which divides viewers.

Watch it if you

  • like slow, observational art-house drama
  • want a serious film about school violence
  • appreciate restraint over melodrama

Skip it if you

  • are sensitive to school-shooting subject matter
  • need a clear plot or explanation

Best for: Serious solo watch

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch Elephant

  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent.

Elephant parents' guide: ages 15+

Parents need to know that Elephant is an R-rated drama depicting the day of a school shooting, inspired by the Columbine massacre.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Depicts a school shooting with guns and mass murder in a realistic, unflinching style, consistent with its R rating.
  • Language: Some — Some profanity is expected among the high school characters typical of the setting.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like Elephant

If you liked Elephant, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) — 84%: Disturbing study of a young person's violence and its aftermath
  • Nitram (2021) — 76%: Cold, unsettling portrait of a young man building to violence
  • Polytechnique (2009) — 79%: Real-life school-shooting drama told with restraint
  • The Class (2007) — 83%: Realistic classroom drama with a documentary feel
  • The Fallout (2021) — 86%: Teen-focused drama about life after a school shooting
  • Bowling for Columbine (2002) — 84%: Documentary look at American gun violence and schools

Director

Gus Van Sant

Cast

  • Alex Frost as Alex
  • Eric Deulen as Eric
  • John Robinson as John McFarland
  • Elias McConnell as Elias
  • Jordan Taylor as Jordan
  • Carrie Finklea as Carrie
  • Nicole George as Nicole
  • Brittany Mountain as Brittany
  • Alicia Miles as Acadia
  • Kristen Hicks as Michelle

Elephant FAQ

Is Elephant worth watching?

Depends on your taste. A quiet, observational drama that follows a day at a high school before a shooting. It is deliberate and chilling, but offers no easy answers or explanations, which divides viewers.

Where can I watch Elephant?

In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is Elephant OK for kids?

Elephant is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Elephant is an R-rated drama depicting the day of a school shooting, inspired by the Columbine massacre.

What movies are like Elephant?

If you liked Elephant, try We Need to Talk About Kevin, Nitram, Polytechnique and The Class.