Nowhere

Came into this with extremely low expectations after being let down by Smiley Face and I am happy to say Greg Araki did not disappoint here. I was instantly enamored with the film's vibrantly saturated color-grading along with the set design, both of which amplify its absurd, surrealistic atmosphere. While the frequent close ups felt excessive and paranoia-inducing in Smiley Face, here they feel essential—perfectly capturing the all-encompassing, claustrophobic nature of the teenage psyche and the turbulence of self-discovery. I find it interesting that many view Nowhere as a nihilistic work, but that's personally not how I see it. I don't think this film is about emptiness; it's a desperate, kaleidoscopic cry for belonging in a world that feels increasingly impossible to navigate. Criterion Challenge 2026 4/52 52. A film currently on your watchlist