Tony Kaye Starring: Christopher Walken (Henry Bartram), Kaleb Landry (Kale), Olivia Thirlby (Olivia), and a ensemble cast of students. Plot Overview: Detachment follows the journey of Henry Bartram , an aging, emotionally detached substitute teacher (played by Christopher Walken) assigned to a financially struggling, high-achieving high school in New Jersey. The school has hired Henry and a group of other subcontracted educators to avoid laying off teachers, a decision that sparks tension among the faculty and administration.