A motley bunch of disaffected punk kids take up residence in a grubby old abandoned home on the outskirts of an affluent California suburb and form their own messed-up, but loyal and loving alternative family. Unfortunately, a hostile group of intolerant redneck vigilantes who call themselves the Citizens Against Crime take issue with the punks living in their neighborhood. Writer/director Penelope Spheeris's extremely raw and rough-around-the-edges low-budget indie drama astutely captures the profound sense of burning anger and acute alienation that were key hallmarks of the 80's punk scene. Moreover, Spheeris neither glorifies nor vilifies the punks; instead she shows these sullen malcontents in a blunt and brutally honest warts'n'all manner that's both nonjudgmental and compassionate, but never sappy or exploitative. Better still, Spheeris does a commendable job of precisely nailing why these kids are so bitter and rebellious by showing that they are the toxic products of such things as poverty, prejudice, and broken dysfunctional families. Granted, the acting from the cast of mostly unprofessional thespians is admittedly crude and amateurish, but the kids are nonetheless believable in their roles, with stand-out contributions from Chris Pederson as charismatic punk leader Jack Diddley, Jennifer Clay as the hard-bitten Sheila, Timothy Eric O'Brien as the surly Skinner, Flea as the rowdy Razzle, and Grant Miner as zonked-out druggie Keef. Don Allen is likewise solid as pragmatic police officer William Rennard. Timothy Suhrstedt's no-frills cinematography gives the picture an appropriately gritty and unpolished look. Alex Gibson's bluesy thrashin' score and the first-rate punk music soundtrack are both on the money excellent and effective. The shocking downbeat ending packs a potent punch. A very powerful and praiseworthy exploration of an interesting and often misunderstood youth subculture.

Suburbia is one of my favourite films. Its cheap in places with tacky sounds, however that only adds to its charm. The characters have appeal and the situations seem real. There is nothing pretentious about it, the protagonists are not made out to be either good or evil, just drifting teenagers who don't think through what they do. The director draws us along with some sympathy for the TR even when they are up to no good, as its clear that deep down they don't actually mean any harm to anyone. A lot of people have rated this film with 10's, I can't see that (and gave it a 7) as it is still basically a cheap B movie. But definitely a good one.

This movie sucks. It is, however, the suckiest movie that I have ever wanted to watch about 50 times in my lifetime. This is the definitive punk-fiction film. No other movie more accurately portrayed what it was like to grow up in the punk scene in the eighties, and it's one of the only films to show what it was like to squat in the punk scene in Los Angeles. It's true, if you get a bunch of real punks and attempt to make them actors and get Roger"Carnosaur"Corman to produce it, you should probably expect something to this effect, but the hammy dialogue and acting are part of the charm. I wholly related to this movie as a teenager, and will always look back fondly upon it. Cheers to Penelope Spheeris, for creating a PR classic.

Wow. Was it 1984 this movie was made? I am getting old. Having live in San Bernardino California and LA Counties during the 80's and 90's as a teen and 20-something; and someone who existed in and around the cast-off, neo-punk and 'Oi!' scenes of the time, I can attest to this being our favorite, and 'most real' look at the trials and successes of the time and scene.I rate this movie high because of the director's realism and poignancy in the presentation. The acting (as it is) remains so convincing that you almost wonder if we are REALLY following around this group of kids and they aren't acting. or are these actors just being, unrehearsed, who they really are.The film is presented as a stark and dark look at runaways and punks. It shows how the family plays the roles too, and is in-your-face with it.If you understand the harsh reality of this film, and realize that this is your voyeuristic, removed opportunity to hang out with the coolest dregs in places most of you would never be admitted to, the film will have images and scenes that will stay with you for the truth they present.Should rent this movie.