This film is presented by St. Louis’s long-running cult film series Strange Brew and will feature a pre-film intro by Strange Brew programmer Jon Scorfina.

“Over the Edge pretty much defined my whole personality. It was really cool. Total anarchy.” – Kurt Cobain

Originally pitched as “Rebel Without A Cause 1979,” director Jonathan Kaplan’s Over The Edge is the definitive portrait of late 20th century American teen angst. Introducing Matt Dillon in his debut film role, he portrays Richie, a charismatic high school outcast who leads a group of kids looking for identity and entertainment in their drab planned community called New Granada. The film explores themes of teen drug-use, white flight, suburban sprawl, cookie-cutter real estate development & rock ‘n’ roll escapism, with a crescendo of violence and vandalism. Its unforgettable high school riot climax is both as revelatory & haunting today as it was in 1979.

With a soundtrack featuring Jimi Hendrix, The Ramones, Cheap Trick and The Cars, it also captures the dazed & confused moment when classic rock morphed into New Wave. Over the Edge was lost to audiences in its initial release, but has become a cult classic after being rediscovered when it became the direct inspiration for one of the most famous pieces of ‘90s pop culture: Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” music video.