The Doom Generation

Araki’s reputation as a transgressive cinematic trailblazer was fully formed by the time Araki made The Doom Generation, the second film in his Teen Apocalypse Trilogy. Opening with a tongue-in-cheek title card reading “A Heterosexual Film by Gregg Araki,” the blistering joyride of a film features two troubled teenage lovers, Amy Blue (Rose McGowan) and Jordan White (James Duval, Araki’s teenage muse). The pair pick up a handsome young drifter named Xavier Red (That Thing You Do’s Johnathon Schaech), who brings excitement and trouble their way as the trio blaze a destructive path through Southern California.

Mixing Godardian cool with queer, punk defiance and the black comedy of Gen X nihilism, The Doom Generation is a vital and ruthless reminder of a time when the adjective alternative meant something. Featuring an amazing soundtrack of Nine Inch Nails, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins, and an epic parade of cameos including Margaret Cho, Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Farrell, Nicky Katt, Parker Posey, Cress Williams, a cast member of The Brady Bunch, and the pioneering industrial band Skinny Puppy. (83 mins., 4K DCP)

Please note: The Doom Generation contains scenes of violence and sexual assault.

See the entire Teen Apocalypse Trilogy lineup.

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The Doom Generation, courtesy of Strand Releasing.