It is visually vibrant (in a wonderful on-the- cheap kind of way). But its insightful fury is undercut by thrashes of immaturity. It's engaged with culture and angry at it.

The film’s characters set out to deface an edifice that has shut them out; they choose death over acceptance...

Many of the questionable cinematic choices dissolve, revealing some great screen moments between Jon and Luke. Araki spells out the bittersweet torment of their affair in striking detail throughout.

Gregg Araki could barely have bought a car for what little he spent making The Living End... but it's a good thing he didn't opt for an auto, because Living End is one great road trip.