Gummo (1997) - Review

© 1997/2024 New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures/The Criterion Collection

Author’s note: This is an expanded version of a review that I wrote on Letterboxd 6 years ago that’ll reflect my updated thoughts on this movie.

If someone asked me to describe Harmony Korine’s 1997 debut feature Gummo, I would say something like “Imagine if if David Lynch, John Waters, and Lars von Trier had a lovechild that likes to sniff glue, listen to Nine Inch Nails, and cry alone in the showers. Then, that lovechild killed itself, goes straight to hell, watch a lot of snuff films, and then comes back from the depths of Hell, spent the next three years browsing through r/cursedimages and made this film”.

That’s what I would say that to that person and yeah, it doesn't describe what this film is about, but what words could accurately describe this beautiful and disgusting trip through the Heartland of America that is Gummo. It is a film that sheds light on a certain part of American society that most of us would never call home, where junkies, cat killers, and weirdos lurk about in their endless pursuit for meaning in a world without such a thing. Patrick from Letterboxd said it best that Gummo “feels like a wet garbage bag”. If that’s not a glowing recommendation, then I don't know what is, so if you have a stomach for anti-social behavior, animal abuse, and just plain depressing shit, then check out Gummo if you haven't already. Make sure you get the absolutely gorgeous 4K remaster by the Criterion Collection.