Director Jonatan Etzler has successfully cast Saoirse Ronan in a challenging role for his dark comedy, Bad Apples. The film, which marks Etzler’s first English-language feature, is set to premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival on September 19, 2025. Ronan plays Maria, a struggling teacher who makes a troubling decision that puts her character in morally ambiguous territory.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Etzler shared how Ronan quickly became his top choice for the role. “We sent it to her and within a week, she responded,” he recounted. Ronan was eager to step away from her typical portrayals of kind-hearted characters. “She was very keen on playing an unsympathetic character,” Etzler explained.
The film is adapted from Rasmus Andersson’s debut novel, De Önskade, and is set in southern England. It explores the treatment of vulnerable members of society through the lens of a burnt-out teacher who struggles with her unruly class of ten-year-olds. A pivotal moment occurs when Maria decides to confine a particularly troublesome student, Danny, played by newcomer Eddie Waller, in her basement. The cast also includes Nia Brown as Pauline, a seemingly sweet student, and Jacob Anderson, known for his role in Game of Thrones, as a fellow teacher.
Etzler is known for his previous works such as One More Time (2023) and Swimmer (2020). He explained that Bad Apples poses profound questions about societal complicity in the suffering of others. “It asks us about all these moral compromises that we make every day in order to live,” he noted. The director emphasized that while the film tackles serious issues, it maintains a lighthearted tone through humor.
The decision to adapt Andersson’s novel stemmed from a personal connection. Etzler, a former teacher, recognized the moral dilemmas faced by educators. He found the British school system, similar to Sweden’s, an appropriate backdrop for the film. He praised screenwriter Jess O’Kane for her adept adaptation of the story, drawing from her own teaching experience.
Etzler highlighted the shared appreciation for dark humor between Swedish and British audiences, making the U.K. a fitting setting for the film. He stated, “We appreciate dark humor a lot more; we appreciate when a film can make you a bit uncomfortable.”
Ronan’s unique approach to the character was also a focal point during the interview. Etzler mentioned their discussions about the complexities of Maria’s character. He acknowledged that while locking Danny in the basement is undeniably unsympathetic, Ronan’s portrayal allows the audience to empathize with her. “I think the audience would sympathize with her and follow her on the journey a lot longer than with anybody else,” he remarked.
Working with child actors posed its own challenges, but Etzler found the experience rewarding. He noted the difficulty in casting Danny, as the role required a child who could convey underlying anger. “It was a really positive experience,” he reflected, praising the professionalism of the young actors.
At the heart of Bad Apples lies a commentary on how society neglects children. Etzler observed that both Danny and Pauline reflect the struggles of feeling unloved by adults. He emphasized that the film questions how society deals with those who do not fit in, urging viewers to contemplate their own complicity in the suffering of others.
Filming took place over 32 days in Bristol and its surrounding areas, where Etzler and Ronan conducted research in schools to ensure authenticity. The production design, led by Jacqueline Abrahams, added a quirky detail to the film, enhancing its overall atmosphere.
As Bad Apples prepares for its debut in San Sebastian, Etzler is eager to gauge the European audience’s response. “I’m really looking forward to it,” he stated, expressing excitement about experiencing the festival for the first time.
Looking ahead, Etzler is developing multiple projects, including a surveillance thriller set in the digital age. While he plans to continue making English-language films, he remains committed to producing work in Sweden. He appreciates the broader opportunities available in English-language cinema, noting, “There’s such a bigger variety, and there’s lots more possibilities in what you can do.”
With its insightful narrative and Ronan’s compelling performance, Bad Apples promises to engage audiences while raising essential social questions.
