The Living End

Scuzzy, sexy, and driven by anger at the ongoing AIDS crisis, Gregg Araki’s The Living End (1992) follows the exploits of an HIV-positive couple, journalist Jon and hustler Luke, as they reject conformity and take to the road. A touchstone of New Queer Cinema, the movie crackles with defiance, capturing the blunt rage and vital passion of its historical moment.

After two ultra-low-budget features, The Living End was a critical and commercial breakthrough for its director. Araki’s film reject...