A dèbut feature extension of a short, Dare is an unusually provocative, not-so-innocent coming-of-age story.

It involves a straight-laced over achiever, wannabe actress, Alexa, her shy and unassuming sidekick, Ben, and the school’s charismatic, yet troubled ‘hottie’, Johnny. It has all of the angst and issues that you would expect—identity, social anxiety, surprising friendships, unsettling sexual encounters—but with a look and depth that is unexpected.

This year’s school play is A Street car Named Desire, with Alexa and Johnny cast as Blanche and Stanley. Alexa lacks the oomph to convincingly portray Blanche, and is advised by the school’s only successful acting alumnus to ‘shake things up’.

This advice propels her into the calculated seduction of Johnny. Ben follows Alexa’s lead and a lopsided bisexual love triangle develops. But beneath Johnny’s cool, calm exterior is a boy far more vulnerable than either of them are expecting.