Based on horrific, repulsive events that actually occurred, this was never going to be an easy watch. As a film though it didn't have to be this ugly and cold. I've seen plenty of movies that deal in the same kind of graphically harsh content. What kept me from hating a lot of those was that there some sort of message, theme, or point that elevated them above the brutality and filth. The same cannot be said for Stoic. It was definitely made with a specific purpose in mind. That being to expose the flawed nature of the prison system. The problem is that the case it presents falls apart when you consider this same kind of bullying hierarchy can be found in just about every facet of life such as the workplace, and these cruel acts are occurring in highschools across America. Perhaps then the film would have been better served as an exploration of humankind's darker nature and penchant for savagery. However, it would come up short there as well due to it's tendency to have the characters spell out their motivations and intentions through subtlety free dialog because it doesn't have enough faith in the audience to figure out that information for themselves. Because it provides me with no legitimate place to direct the anger I feel over what happened, outside of towards the individuals who actually committed these crimes that I most certainly do despise, I'm left with nothing else to do other than turn my disgust and contempt back at the movie itself. I suppose you could give it credit for bringing the situation to light, but a news article could have done that. This story did not need to be portrayed in this way. Not least of all because of the lack of depth and nuance with which it was handled.