The Doom Generation (1995)

Director:

Gregg Araki

Writer:

Gregg Araki (writer)

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Sex. Mayhem. Whatever.

Plot:

Jordan White and Amy Blue, two troubled teens, pick up an adolescent drifter, Xavier Red. Together,...

Plot Keywords:

Sex | Road Movie | Gay Interest | Blood | Semen

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

James Duval	...	Jordan White
Rose McGowan	...	Amy Blue
Johnathon Schaech	...	Xavier Red
Cress Williams	...	Peanut
Skinny Puppy	...	Gang of Goons
Dustin Nguyen	...	Quickiemart Clerk
Margaret Cho	...	Clerk's Wife
Lauren Tewes	...	TV Anchorwoman
Christopher Knight	...	TV Anchorman
Nicky Katt	...	Carnoburger Cashier
Johanna Went	...	Carnoburger Co-Worker
Perry Farrell	...	Stop 'n' Go Clerk
Amanda Bearse	...	Barmaid
Parker Posey	...	Brandi
Salvator Xuereb	...	Biker

Also Known As:

Doom Generation (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong vicious violence, graphic sexuality, pervasive strong language and some drug use.

Runtime:

85 min | USA:72 min (R-rated version)

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Chile:14 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:R (cut) | Netherlands:16 | USA:R (heavily cut) | USA:Unrated (uncut) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) | Norway:18 (DVD rating) | Australia:R | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM18 | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:(Banned) | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:(Banned)

Company:

Blurco

Trivia:

Every time one of the characters buys something, the total comes to $6.66. The address of the first hotel they stay at is 666. Amy's combined SAT score is 666.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Amy Blue: Fuck.

Movie Connections:

Features Mortal Kombat II (1993) (VG)

Soundtrack:

But If You Go

a cool, detached, nihilistic and artful take on human existence

Gregg Araki's THE DOOM GENERATION is reminiscent of everything from MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO to THE RIVER'S EDGE to TRUE ROMANCE to the experimental films of Pasolini, of Warhol (Morrisey), as well as of Richard Kern. The film reveals its thematic message when the most innocent and selfless of its three main characters asks the other, more self-centered, two if they ever think about the meaning of existence. Dismissing the very question, they reveal to the questioner an answer of sorts, one which suggests that we each create a meaning for ourselves, and are all existentially alone as we do so.

While offering us a rather slight story of a pair of teen lovers on the road who encounter a slightly older bisexual who becomes their nemesis, companion, lover and protector, THE DOOM GENERATION offers a great deal of visual style and wit, and some genuine moments of suspense. In fact, the film's gory and discomforting climactic scene is perhaps the artistic highlight and suggests some real filmaking talent by writer/director Gregg Araki. This is probably not everyone's cup of tea, but is worth a look for those who like a film which challenges them to react to strong imagery and who don't mind transgressive depictions.