Over the Edge (film)

Over the Edge is a 1979 American coming-of-age crime drama film directed by Jonathan Kaplan. The film stars Matt Dillon (in his film debut), Michael Kramer, Pamela Ludwig, and Vincent Spano.

The film tells the story of two disaffected teenagers, Carl Willat and Richie White, living in the planned community of New Granada, Colorado, a suburb designed for families of employees of a nearby corporation. Boredom, parental neglect, and a lack of recreational opportunities contribute to the teenagers' increasing frustration and delinquency. The situation escalates when the local police are unable to provide adequate supervision or address the teenagers' grievances, culminating in a violent confrontation.

While not initially a box office success, Over the Edge gained a cult following in subsequent years, particularly after Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana cited it as a major influence. The film is known for its portrayal of teenage alienation, its use of punk rock music on the soundtrack (including songs by Cheap Trick, The Ramones, and Van Halen), and its realistic depiction of suburban angst. It's often considered a precursory film to other teen rebellion movies of the 1980s. The screenplay was written by Charlie Haas and Tim Hunter.