While the late film critic Roger Ebert hated The Skulls, the cult classic movie is actually underrated. The thriller was released in March 2000, a few weeks before the beloved horror movie Final Destination, and a few weeks after Scream 3. (What a glorious time to be alive.) The Skulls had a famous young cast and an engaging premise. Joshua Jackson was at the height of his fame while playing sensitive Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek, and Paul Walker had just starred in the makeover comedy She’s All That.
However, Ebert wasn’t about to join the secret society at the heart of the story. In fact, he didn’t enjoy anything about the film.
Whether sharing his opinion on his favorite actor, Robert Mitchum, or publishing a one-star review, Ebert was honest. We all miss reading his words because of his passion for the art of filmmaking and his beautiful prose. However, it’s possible to view The Skulls more positively than he did.
Roger Ebert Hated ‘The Skulls,’ But It’s a Fun Coming of Age Story
In March 2000, Roger Ebert reviewed The Skulls and gave it one star. He got a solid burn in right away, writing in his review, “It isn’t a comedy, but that won’t stop anyone.” Then, he added:
“It’s so ludicrous in so many different ways it achieves a kind of forlorn grandeur. It’s in a category by itself.”
However, Ebert was wrong. There’s a lot to love about The Skulls, which has become a cult classic. Thanks to its popular young cast, including Leslie Bibb, Paul Walker, and Joshua Jackson, the movie did well at the box office, grossing $50.8 million against its $15 million budget. Ebert may have loathed it, but The Skulls is an underrated coming-of-age story with a relatable premise. It’s about characters who hope to fit in and touches on the tension between popularity and individuality.
In recent years, it’s hard to recall any notable or compelling movies about college life. The Skulls tells the story of Luke McNamara (Jackson), who joins The Skulls. He’s not the most original character to ever appear in a film or TV show. He’s a rower from a less well-off background, and he wants to be a lawyer. Still, these types of characters show up all the time in our stories for a reason. In this case, Luke is relatable and represents many college students who dream big and want to change their lives. Watching him is a little inspiring, even if the movie’s tone is cheesy. Paul Walker also gave a great performance as Skulls member Caleb Mandrake.
And, let’s be honest, The Skulls is also just a fun story about a secret society. While Ebert makes some fair points (as he notes, many plot points are totally silly), The Skulls isn’t supposed to be a literary film or a serious and profound meditation. It fits into the same category as other late 1990s and early 2000s movies about college students, from the horror Urban Legend to the comedy The Rules of Attraction, which starred the late James Van Der Beek. The Skulls isn’t an iconic 2000s movie, and it doesn’t match the high quality of a film like Almost Famous. However, many of us have special memories of college, and it’s a unique time that’s all about self-development and building confidence. We can see some of ourselves in Luke’s journey. And what’s a true college experience without some good times? It’s easy to understand why Luke joins this society, even if it doesn’t work out so well for him.
Ebert may not have been impressed by anything about The Skulls, but it’s possible to appreciate the movie’s goofy tone and corny dialogue. You might like the big reveal, too. Of course, Ebert gave the review his all, and his writing is as memorable and beautiful as usual. He described the setting of The Skulls as:
“a Gothic monument so filled with vistas and arches and caverns and halls and pools and verandas that Dracula would have something along these lines if he could afford it.”
Hey, this writer, who attended the University of Toronto where the movie was filmed, is a little offended (just kidding). Even if you love The Skulls (and there’s no shame in enjoying it), you can’t deny that’s a compelling description, right? However, we can all skip the sequels, The Skulls II and The Skulls III, which didn’t even play in theaters. And maybe, after checking out The Skulls, it’s time to rewatch Urban Legend… which Ebert gave two stars.