Dismissed (2017)

Plot hole: It seems highly unlikely that Lucas would be able to "mess with" Mr. Butler's application for a professorship position, or be able to accomplish what he did in such a short amount time. Off-screen, Lucas went into Mr. Butler's briefcase (foolishly left on his desk in the classroom during lunchtime) and (correctly) assumed Mr. Butler's application was on his laptop. Lucas would have to be able to figure out Mr. Butler's password (something that could take forever), find the right file on his laptop, read or scan the application to determine what he could do to mess it up, write a new answer for "qualities that make me a good teacher", and leave the classroom before anyone saw him. Lucas would also have to assume that Mr. Butler would not notice the change when he printed the application, made a photocopy, and double-checked the application before inserting it in the envelope and mailing it.

KeyZOid

Character mistake: It is highly unlikely that the recipient of Mr. Butler's application for the professorship position would not only call him so soon, but ask him to come to her office right away (where she would humiliate him for the things he wrote in his essay on "qualities that make me a good teacher"). Moreover, her failure to listen to Mr. Butler and give due consideration to his assertion that someone else actually wrote those offensive things showed poor judgment, especially since she knew the person who referred Mr. Butler and spoke highly of him. Someone tampering with his application would make more sense than believing that Mr. Butler actually wrote those things that criticized the very college he was applying to and boasted so much about himself. That Mr. Butler was not able to say more to make his point believable is also problematic. He is an English teacher, so should have the vocabulary and mastering of techniques to make a convincing argument, but he failed to defend himself.

KeyZOid

Continuity mistake: Lucas received his mid-term grades in the mail BEFORE Mr. Butler actually entered his grade on the computer. Lucas got the mail and took his unopened grade report to his bedroom then the camera shifts to Mr. Butler contemplating what grade to fill in for Lucas. Mr. Butler made the entry (grade not shown) and closed his laptop. The camera returns to Lucas, who opens his mid-term grade report and sees the "F" from Mr. Butler. (00:51:21)

KeyZOid

Trivia: Lucas told Mr. Butler that his mother died when he was very young. Assuming this is true, when his dad asked him, "Is there anything you want me to tell your mother for you?" his father was planning on committing suicide or believed Lucas was going to kill him. (The empty prescription bottles suggest suicide). (01:12:48)

KeyZOid

Trivia: The "Iowa State University of Art and Science" / "Master of Literature" diploma on Mr. Butler's home office wall contains some blatant errors, suggesting it might have been an on-line "fake diploma" purchase from FakeDiplomamall.com, FastDiploma.com, or similar website. An example shown on these websites is for Science and Technology and it appears someone did not know the proper substitutions to submit - "Liberal Arts and Sciences" and "Master of English" (with Literature Specialization). (00:27:30)

KeyZOid

Trivia: Lucas told Principal Fermont that Mr. Butler gave him an "F" on his midterm grade report even though he got "A"s on all of his assignments. But Lucas actually got a "B+" on his "Othello" paper. Pathological lying is a major characteristic of psychopathy (although Lucas would be diagnosed with a "conduct disorder" if he was under 18-years of age). (00:23:55 - 01:03:35)

KeyZOid

Lucas Ward: I always find a book that much more compelling when the character stands to lose everything.

Mr. Butler: I'm sorry to tell you this, but your son threatened me.
Mr. Ward: What did he say, exactly?
Mr. Butler: Well, he uh... just he was using a book as a metaphor.
Mr. Ward: So, you came here to tell me my son...what? Assaulted you with a poem? (00:41:13)

KeyZOid

Detective Speck: All grades are final.