gavin6942 Jordan White (James Duval) and Amy Blue (Rose McGowan), two troubled teens, pick up an adolescent drifter, Xavier Red. Together, the threesome embark on a sex and violence-filled journey through an America of psychos and quickiemarts.While this is probably not a good movie, it holds a certain nostalgia value for me. Gregg Araki really struck a nerve with those coming of age in the 1990s who had an interest in the Gothic an industrial music scene. With the inclusion of references to Nine Inch Nails, Ministry and Skinny Puppy, it was perfect for that demographic.The 1990s had a nihilistic undertone that was not seen in the 1980s or 2000s, leading to such films as "Seven", "Dark City", and the popularity of Tim Burton and David Fincher. This fit in that trend easily and possibly propelled it. The follow-up, "Nowhere", similarly fit in, catching the tail end. (The trend essentially died with "The Matrix".)

Tromafreak Now, here's a fine example of hard-hitting, 90's Exploitation. Brought to you by Gregg Araki. The Doom Generation is a gritty, super-dismal, often hilarious tale of murder, betrayal, and sleaziness. We begin with a young couple, hanging out at a club, Amy Blue (meth-head), and Jordan White (pot-head). Amy is a vindictive little nightmare, who's just looking for an argument. And Jordan, well, Jordan doesn't do a whole lot of thinking, but is a good guy, who loves Amy, despite her personality issues. Amy and Jordan take it to the car, so they can lose their virginity, but are soon interrupted...Meet Xavier Red (killer), X for short.Xavier rudely enters Amy's car, rudely demanding she start driving so that he may live, rudely insulting her, subtly insulting Jordan, but he doesn't mind. Amy on the other hand, is about to blow her top, but at least she has someone to argue with now... no wait, he just went too far. Alright guy!! Out of the car.Later in the evening, the teenage, odd couple are rescued by their new pal, X from a trigger-happy, convenience store clerk. after X literally blows the mans head off. They all 3, right then and there, decide to take a road trip together, leaving behind everything. The night sure is going to hell, but at least Amy has someone to argue with again, that's what's important. It doesn't take Xavier long to make his intentions clear, with Amy, and despite the fact that she despises him, she's all for it. They don't try all that hard to hide this from Jordan, but it's cool, Jordan doesn't mind, "X seems like a nice guy". Amy doesn't mind Xavier's insults, Jordan doesn't mind that the man is sleeping with his girlfriend, and no one seems to be all that bothered by the fact that X kills someone every time they stop somewhere.The Doom Generation is harsh, and mean-spirited, and can be ugly, at times, just a swell movie, probably Araki's best. The religious, and apocalyptic metaphors won't go unnoticed, and neither will Rose McGowan, as a foul-mouthed teenager, with a chip on her shoulder, with James Duval's performance making her seem even worse. Some things occur, seemingly with the intention of confusing us, but that's OK, confusion only makes this seem more like exploitation from decades past. For something slightly similar, check out Nowhere... which reminds me, if you ever see both these movies, you might notice that it would be a much better fit if they switched the titles, just a thought. Although, The Doom Generation is deeper than it may seem, it's still a grim good time, with no redeeming qualities, Generation-X-ploitation. 9/10

zoeisdead2002 The first gregg araki film I ever watched was "Nowhere". I first thought it was trying to be too weird like David Lynch. Later on I took an interest in Araki cause this is a filmmaker that wants to be different and this is the kind of guy that knew what kind of music kids actually listened to and what their thoughts were.Its hard not to miss all the metaphors and symbolisms in the film. Of course these interpretations are what makes a movie stand out. I could'nt say what strikes me the most about this film, I only watched it for the violence and nude scenes. I just saw it also as a satire on the teen genre and road movies. They cuss like sailors and have very little empathy for just about everything (with a little exception for the dog they ran over.)The movie has three characters:Amy blue Jordan white Xavier redTheir last names obviously references the American flag so I guess they represent todays American youth.I've read about metaphors about Xavier being a devil and Jordan as an angel fighting over Amy blue who is in interpretation of the human race. I'll admit I didn't look at it that way when I first viewed the film. I just saw it as a straight forward indie film. With exaggerations of American pop culture and a 90's soundtrack. Of course I do like it that the film has layers of meaning and what araki wanted to convey in his messages.Themes:Every stranger they bumped into seem to know who Amy blue is and they call her by different names. They also have violent tendencies towards her.666. I don't need to tell you what that symbol is about, it is used numerous times.The feds who are after Amy blue for the murder of a store clerk. the men sitting across from each other are twins. This is a pun about them being a uniformed society.Billboard signs messaging them about the rapture. Of course araki is satirizing Americas obsession with the end of the world. The world hasn't ended yet *knock on wood* but the perfect world Amy and Jordan created does end with his death. So the human race might not end anytime soon but each person has their own end that will eventually come.In the end after Jordans death Amy and Xavier keep riding in spite of their traumatic event. Moving on is the only thing they can do. Xavier breaks the ice by offering her a bag of doritos.

muffinigans When I first saw the user rating -- and read the summary -- I already knew it was underrated. Something just said it.And, I must say, this is a great movie. I hate going into technical detail as of why, but many teenagers have these hidden desires inside, to be f*cked up, to f*ck, to f*ck up someone else. And I think that this is beautiful and open.The soundtracks kick *ss as well. The actors for the main characters do a great job, I dig the dialogues and the awesome curse words made up by Amy.So many great things produced in the 90's... I think the teenagers of today have yet to discover quite a bit.