Charlie Polinger's debut film, 'The Plague,' is a coming-of-age story set at a 2003 water polo camp. It explores adolescent cruelty through the experiences of Ben, a new camper, and Eli, an outcast nicknamed 'The Plague' by his peers. The film uses the camp setting to depict the torments and dynamics of preteen social hierarchies, with a focus on atmospheric tension and perceptive character portrayals.