Young teacher Max arrives at his new job at a school in the Stockholm suburb of Hallonberg with ambitious aims. But his classes soon dissolve into chaos, with adolescent schoolkids mercilessly taking him for a ride. At first, Max hopes to gain their attention by appealing to reason. When he fails, he asks his old teacher for help. 73-year-old Folke is one of the old school of teachers who believe in respect and order – and in making the occasional threat. At the same time, Folke is a champion in talking backwards. When he substitutes for Max, two very different worlds collide at Hallonberg school. “The Substitute” gives some astonishing insights into today’s classrooms, presents two diametrically opposed approaches to education and shows the limitations of both in an amusing and compelling way. The documentary also sketches portraits of two fundamentally different individuals whose ideals are nevertheless remarkably similar.