Films With A Punk Attitude or Spirit

Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s The Bride! is out now in UK and Irish cinemas. Many have described the film’s attitude as ‘Punk As F***’, moving away from classic Universal monsters silent version. Away from the object of desire to something more rebellious , female rage and taking centre stage. Exploring her sexual power, rebelling against the norms of women during 1930s.

Jessie Buckley stars as our titular character with Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s creature. Joining them in the cast also are Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penélope Cruz.

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To celebrate the release of The Bride! we’ve compiled a list of films with similar Punk As F***. This is only a selection of films, share your choices in the comments.

Jubilee (1977)

This film is considered by some as the first ‘punk film’. Derek Jarman‘s film ticks all the boxes. Capturing aesthetic and attitude of the British punk movement which was at it’s peak in 1977.  Very much a film that created like the movements DIY ethic, low budget production. An nightmarish  dystopian setting  that plays on the Sex Pistol’s ‘No Future’ , a world which the Queen has been murdered. Young groups of women get involved in violent nihilistic ‘things’ , a true time capsule of the movement.

Tank Girl (1995)

Anarchy is the big theme in this film and the others on this list. Lori Petty is our titular heroine, based Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin comic book. The comic captured the Punk DIY ethos of 1970s & 1980s visually and in her actions. She’s a feminist, countercultural icon who defied all societal norms and challenged the system. A future  which she rides a tank in a dystopian world who fights against the mega corporations who own the water supply. Original Riot Grrrl!

Repo Man (1984)

When it comes to cult films with a punk attitude, Alex Cox‘s sci-fi thriller is always on those lists. This blends punk and anarchist ideals with genre film with a great punk soundtrack. Songs from Black Flag, Iggy Pop, Circle Jerks and Suicidal Tendencies. Emilio Estevez  stars a punk rocker hired by a car repo agency, who goes after a specific car with a large bounty. It also has something unworldly in the trunk.

Return Of The Living Dead (1985)

Next to Repo Man, Dan O’Bannon‘s horror comedy is right up there in Punk films. Another  chaotic fun film with a nihilistic, anti-establishment attitude. The film follows two medical supply warehouse workers who accidentally release deadly gasses that cause the dead to rise again. Fantastic punk soundtrack which included The Damned, it’s also like a Punk fashion show. A distrust of the government and plenty of disaffected youth and one of the films to introduced fast moving zombies.

Green Room (2015)

Nazi punks f**k off!! Jeremy Saulnier‘s horror thriller sees a punk band fight for their lives after they witness a murder at a bar ran by Nazi skinheads. Made with virtually no budget, this film a DIY punk ethic in filmmaking, with a stomping soundtrack which includes Bad Brains and Dead Kennedys. This is a raw, visceral, disturbing, thrilling survival thriller that teases DIY gigging as wells punks anti-fascist stance. [review]

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Stanley Kubrick‘s masterful ultra violent nihilistic tale of no future. Youth defiance who rebelled against authority, social disillusionment and exclusion . The film maybe considered proto punk, but the white clothes, braces, boots, bowler hats would inspire punks a few year later.

Honourable Mentions: Dinner In America, Heathers, Class Of 1984, The Runaways, Liquid Sky Freaky Tales, Heathers, Natural Born Killers, Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains

The Bride! is in cinemas now, read our review.