Teenage Wasteland
What’s it rated? TV-14
When? 2025
Where’s it showing? Netflix
It’s hard to believe that the ’90s were 30 years ago, but that’s where this story starts with a group of teens, a teacher, and a town cover-up. When students and teacher Fred Isseks decide to make a documentary about a local environmental scandal in New York, most of the other students and staff aren’t paying them much heed. However, what they uncover turns out to be deadly serious.
What is truly admirable in this film is not just the gumption and courage of the students, but the incredible work that Fred does as their teacher. He encourages questioning and democracy and lets learning lead their curiosity.
Directed by Amanda McBaine and Jess Moss, this film will be especially nostalgic for anyone who had a locker and a raging crop of pimples in the ’90s—it all comes screaming back in the photos, videos, and music of the time. Now, 30 years later, the students and teacher are revisiting the project and the tremendous feat that they accomplished bringing it to light. This is a no-brainer watch if you have any interest in documentaries. (110 min.)
—Anna Starkey
This article appears in September 17 – September 24, 2026.
