Synopsis

Working-class college student Luke McNamara is invited to join the Skulls, an exclusive secret society whose influence could help him reach Harvard Law School. At first, the wealth, privilege, and elaborate rituals seem to offer Luke the future he wants. After his roommate dies under suspicious circumstances, however, Luke discovers that the society's power depends on silence, loyalty, and dangerous secrets.

Factoids & Trivia

• The story draws on conspiracy theories surrounding Yale University's Skull and Bones society, although Yale is never named in the film.

• Several details reference Yale traditions, including the number 322, the use of bulldog imagery, and the fictional society called Snake & Skeleton, which echoes Yale's real Book and Snake society.

• The opening boathouse sequence was filmed at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Much of the campus material was shot at the University of Toronto, while other locations included Henley Island and Trafalgar Castle School in Ontario.

• Filming took place from May 19 through July 31, 1999. The film was released in the United States on March 31, 2000.

• The real Skull and Bones society is associated with class watches. After production, Joshua Jackson obtained one of the actual watches and gave it to the filmmaker.

• The character Will Beckford was modeled partly on a real Harvard roommate from the filmmaker's college years.

• The film opened at number three at the North American box office and earned more than $50 million worldwide.

• Despite negative reviews, the movie developed enough commercial interest to produce two direct-to-video sequels: The Skulls II in 2002 and The Skulls III in 2004.