Film review
Directed by Gregg Araki
Starring Thomas Dekker, Haley Bennett, Juno Temple, James Duval, Kelly Lynch
Release date 10 June 2011

Smith (Thomas Dekker) is a bisexual film student with a rampant love life. One drug-fuelled night, Smith believes he’s witnessed a murder – but his best friend Stella (who is beginning a lesbian relationship with a sinister female sorcerer) has difficultly believing him. Yet it might just be the catalyst that sparks Armageddon…

Kaboom director Gregg Araki has long revelled in his reputation as an indie darling – evidenced by his youth-orientated, achingly hip films such as The Doom Generation (1994), Nowhere (1997) and Mysterious Skin (2005).

His latest effort, however, is perhaps his finest to date, with a cool-as-it-gets soundtrack (choice cuts include The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Interpol, Ladytron and the Yeah, Yeah Yeahs), an onscreen sexiness – and sexuality – that is practically unrivalled, and a laugh-out-loud finale that is as abrupt as it is daring.

Beautifully filmed, with a colour palette that virtually drips off the screen, and weaving in and out of genres from caustic comedy to conspiracy thriller, this is a cinematic trip that's almost impossible to categorise. Utterly essential. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 9/10
Clearly aimed at the cult market, this might just become the next Donnie Darko. Let’s hope it gets the audience it deserves.