My So-Called Death – The episode opens with Madison “Maddie” Nears (Peyton List) listening to Principal Hartman (Alex Zahara) speak about a Split River missing person investigation from a gym bleacher. Two students discussing the case claim blood found in boiler room the was identified as Maddie’s. Simon Elroy (Kristian Flores) and Nicole Herrera (Kiara Pichardo) admit to having trouble sleeping when Anderson pleads with the students to come forward with their information.
Joining Maddie on the bleacher, Charley (Nick Pugliese) compliments her missing person photo. When the Split River cheerleaders dedicate their cheer to “Maggie,” she yells it’s Maddie. He explains they can’t hear her before warning they’ll soon know she’s dead.
Charley and Maddie are talking when Mr. Anderson (Patrick Gilmore) scolds a male student for bouncing a ball in the hall. She tries to interact with Nichole as she hangs up her missing person posters. She meets the Split River High Afterlife Support Group – Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin) and Wally Clark (Milo Manheim), Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman).
Rhonda asks how she died. Maddie denies knowing her assailant. Wally suggests someone murdered her. She says her blood was in the boiler room but they’ve never found her body.
In a flashback, Maddie gives Xavier Baxter (Spencer Macpherson) a kiss and promises to see him in study hall before catching up with Simon Elroy (Kristian Flores). She asks if he’s still going to “Night of the Living Dead” at the Apex. He claims to have forgotten to print his ticket but promises to do it later. She asks if he’s up for Xavier joining them. He reminds her that Xavier isn’t into horror movies. They plan to host a party at her house while her mother is away sobering up. Nichole informs them of two Chicago schools being interested in her work. Maddie and Xavier congratulate her before heading to class. Maddie leaves class to catch up with Xavier who ducked out of gym class to get high. After a short discussion, she returns to school. She sees him utilizing his phone which he claimed was dead when her own phone dies.
Back to the present – Charley explains how Dawn (RaeAnne Boon) has aimed around aimlessly since the 70s when they encounter her vandalized missing person poster. Her attempt to rip it down fails. In 2004 bus collision claimed the lives of six band members who now roam the school grounds.
Maddie watches Simon vent. He complains about the blank search party sign-up sheet before asking Xavier if his name shouldn’t be on it. As Xavier tries to leave, Simon grabs his backpack. Maddie’s phone crashes to the floor. She suggests he’s investigating her death. Charley says by not turning it over to the police.
In the boy’s shower, Charley tells Maddie that he died after suffering anaphylactic shock related to peanut oil. His classmates made fun of him for being gay.
In a flashback, Maddie and Xavier are making out in the shower when Mr. Graziano (Jayce Barreiro) approaches. He hurriedly removes his clothes and starts taking a shower. Graziano reminds him of the school closing at 6pm. Xavier admits that he’s making him feel uncomfortable. Graziano orders him to finish showering and leave. Maddie bursts out laughing.
Back to the present – Maddie assures Charley that Xavier isn’t her killer. Simon tells Nicole that he knew Xavier was responsible. She suggests Maddie gave her phone to him before leaving town. He reminds her of Maddie’s blood in the boiler room when he notices Claire Zolinski (Rainbow Wedell) trying to get Xavier’s attention.
Wally tells Maddie that he was fatally injured in the 1984 homecoming game. A stadium was named in his honor. She refuses his offer to help investigate her death.
In a flashback – Xavier tells Maddie that he can’t make “Night of the Living Dead” because of band practice. She and Simon are looking out the window at Sandra Nears (Maria Dizzia) when Xavier snatches her phone out of her backpack.
Back to the present – Maddie tells Wally that her phone and necklace are missing. He suggests it’s not a bad thing to not remember all the details. Simon demands to know why Xavier never told anyone about Maddie’s phone. When Xavier says he isn’t inclined to tell him anything, Simon charges at him. A security guard breaks them up.
Maddie wants Wally to force Xavier to confess. Charley tells her that it doesn’t work like that. Martin suggests talking about it. She stresses the importance of not giving up. When she tries to leave school, she ends up in the boiler room. Dawn informs her that it’s impossible for them to leave. Again, she ends up in the boiler room where blood splatters are marked by evidence markers. Dawn discusses her murder when Maddie enters the gym. Maddie asks if her killer was her guidance counselor. They are discussing how to deal with death when her classmates and Sandra gather for her vigil.
Sheriff Baxter (Ian Tracey) grills Xavier about Maddie’s phone. He claims to have been protecting Maddie from finding out about his and Claire’s relationship. Maddie foiled his meeting with Claire. He meant to text Claire to get her to change directions but it went to Maddie. He admits to taking her phone to erase the text. Simon breaks down while talking to Ms. Fields (Kalyn Miles) about Maddie. Xavier is put into a police cruiser. Simon appears to see Maddie as the episode comes to an end.
School Spirits Synopsis
Split River High student, Maddie is murdered in the boiler room. She units with the Split River High Afterlife Support Group, students who were affiliated with the school when they died.
Struggling to cope with Maddie’s death, Simon targets her boyfriend, Xavier. Xavier plans to meet Claire outside instead of attending gym glass. Maddie foils the meeting when she follows him outside. Rushing to divert Claire, he accidentally sends the text to Maddie. During an altercation with Simon, her phone falls out of his backpack. He needed to erase the text to keep her from finding out about Claire. Sheriff Baxter puts him in his cruiser.
School Spirits Review
The show is a rollercoaster of emotions. The script is messy and inconsistent. It’s constantly switching from dramatic subject matter to comedic one-liners to avoid criticism. When shows are deemed “too dark,” they rarely make it out of the first series. It’s even riskier when the protagonist is a teenager, set in a high school.
On a good note, the cinematography, acting, and editing are good. It’s definitely worth a watch if you are up for an emotional rollercoaster.
The show deserves a 6.5. Get more School Spirits recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Learn more about our onsite advertising by reaching out to our support staff.
School Spirits Cast
- Fields (Kalyn Miles)
- Sheriff Baxter (Ian Tracey)
- Principal Hartman (Alex Zahara)
- Anderson (Patrick Gilmore)
- Dawn (Raeanne Boon)
- South (Peter New)
- Graziano (Jayce Barreiro)
- Chloe (Alison Thornton)
- Tira (Katarina Mueller)
- Kirsten (Vanessa Prasad)
- Faith (Alayna Pezzuto)
- Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin)
- Xavier Baxter (Spencer Macpherson)
- Sandra Nears (Maria Dizzia)
- Simon Elroy (Kristian Flores)
- Wally Clark (Milo Manheim)
- Nichole Herrera (Kiara Pichardo)
- Charley (Nick Pugliese)
- Claire Zolinski (Rainbow Wedell)
- Madison “Maddie” Nears (Peyton List)
Where Was School Spirits Filmed
Filming locations in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.
Where To Watch School Spirits
The pilot episode premiered on March 9, 2023, on Paramount+.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
