The Substitute is a 1996 American action thriller film directed by Robert Mandel and starring Tom Berenger, Ernie Hudson, Marc Anthony, William Forsythe, Raymond Cruz and Luis Guzmán.

Jane and Shale believe this to be related to the KOD, which prompts the latter to go undercover as an Ivy League-educated, government-affiliated substitute teacher for his girlfriend's class.

He is unable to control his class of poorly-educated and poorly-behaved students on the first day but decides to use his street smarts and military tactics to gain the upper hand.

During his time teaching, Shale gains the respect of the students when he bonds with them over the similarities between his war experiences and their involvement in petty crime and gangs.

He also befriends fellow schoolteacher Darrell Sherman and crosses paths with Juan Lacas, a student who is also a leader in a local gang.

Suspicious of the conditions within the school, Shale sets up surveillance cameras throughout the building and discovers that Juan orchestrated the attack on Jane.

Shale and his team raid a drug deal, using the stolen money to buy music and sports equipment and claim that it is a donation to the school.

Now understanding that the school is being used as a distribution center, Shale and his team deploy to the school grounds to enter combat against the remaining KOD members; Johnny Glades, a Native American crime lord who wants his stolen money back from the busted deal; a rival mercenary company led by Janus; and Rolle himself.

Even the order of their deaths is preordained: First the extras die, then the bit players, then the featured actors, until finally only the hero and the villain are left.

"[9] James Berardinelli gave the film two stars out of four, writing: "The Substitute has its moments, all of which fall in the realm of high camp.

Club stated: "There have been plenty of movies about white people coming into inner-city schools and whipping the students into shape, but nothing quite like The Substitute, which brings the subtly racist, paternalistic elements of those films right to the surface.

"[11] A more positive review came from Kevin Thomas, who wrote: "There's a sense of shrewd observation throughout The Substitute that makes it come alive and seem quite a few cuts above such usual genre fare.