Liz, a student at an exclusive British private school, resurfaces dishevelled and bloodied after eighteen days missing alongside three classmates. The psychiatrist Phillipa Horwood takes on the task of interviewing her to understand what happened. Liz describes her life at school, her friendships, and the weekend she planned in an old underground shelter on the grounds. Her account leaves the doctor with many doubts, and each new version she hears raises further questions about who is telling the truth.

How it was made

Director Nick Hamm began casting in late 1999. He described the then-newcomer Keira Knightley as a younger version of Julie Christie. To prepare for her role, Thora Birch visited an English state school. Based on Guy Burt's 1993 novel After the Hole, the film was shot from 2 July to 9 November 2000 in London and across southern England, at locations including Downside School in Somerset and Bray Studios. Clint Mansell composed the score and Denis Crossan shot the film.

Reception and legacy

The film was released in the United Kingdom on 20 April 2001 and grossed around 7.8 million dollars. In October 2001 Dimension Films acquired the rights to distribute it theatrically in the United States, but it never received a cinema release there; nearly two years later it came out direct-to-video through Buena Vista. For Keira Knightley it was her first major feature film role, while Thora Birch's casting was partly attributed to her appearance in American Beauty. No notable awards are recorded, and its place in film history is tied more to its cast's later careers than to any lasting influence.

Stills

Trailer

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Trivia

First major role

For Keira Knightley, The Hole was her first major feature film role, before her later rise to fame.

Filmed at a real boarding school

Some scenes were shot at Downside School in Somerset, in addition to Bray Studios.

More films by Nick Hamm

Godsend2004

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence1998

Killing Bono2011

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (es) and Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.