Based on the best-selling graphic novel series, a group of spoiled “bad kids” have been placed in Saturday detention at the prestigious Crestview Academy. After one of the kids locks away their teacher, they find themselves trapped in school with no way out, wondering who (or what) set them up. Their ranks quickly dwindle as each falls victim to a gruesome “accident” while trying to escape.

 Siouxsie (Sammi Hanratty) is a sophomore at Crestview who hires hacker Ben (Drake Bell) to get her into a session of Saturday detention for reasons unknown. Once enlisted we meet a the other ne’er-do-wells on the detention roster and begin to get an idea of why Siouxsie wanted into the forced weekend session of punishment. They include naïve pussycat lover Sara (Erika Daly), gay drug dealer Brian (Matthew Frias), smokin’ hot preacher’s daughter Faith (Sophia Taylor Ali ), and squeaky-clean senator’s son Blaine (Colby Arps). We learn that all of these youngsters were at a party where Siouxsie’s older sister, a senior at the academy, fell to her death. Siouxsie is fixed on finding out her killed her sister during detention. However a wrench gets thrown into her plans when the group of students begins to meet gruesome ends and are trapped in the academy with no way out. Who killed Siouxsie’s sister? Why is someone out to kill them?

A multilayered mystery filled with action set pieces and gory fun, BAD KIDS is an entertaining horror mystery that, while not groundbreaking, still holds a few surprises for viewers. Technically a sequel to something called BAD KIDS GO TO HELL, CRESTVIEW ACADEMY stands totally on its own as a sort of Rashomon reform school story. We get flashbacks to the party where Siouxsie’s sister met her demise told from the point of view of each of the partygoers who are all, coincidentally, in detention. The writing here is sharp and never attempts to spell too much out for viewers as any good mystery should.

We are also treated to a few fun cameos. Academy Award™ nominee (Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) Sean Astin plays Headmaster Nash, the fumbling but cool overseer of the ill-fated party. We also get a scenery chewing Gina Gershon as the vampy Senator Wilkes in a deliciously cold part. Even the film’s director Ben Browder gets into the act as the creepy-as-hell janitor with a dark secret.

The pic is an audacious romp filled with nasty gags and an entertaining enough plot. There are a few directorial flourishes that feel a little forced, particularly when trying to tie the film with its graphic novel roots. The effect punctuates moments but brings things to a halt in a way. Still, pay the tuition and give in. There’s plenty of fun to be had within the halls of Crestview.