Here Now (2015)

dir Gregg Araki

Originally watched on July 1, 2026.

Bizarre little slice from our good friend, Gregg. Revisiting Nowhere (1997)? Sure, why the hell not.

This is short but not all that sweet. We get to check back in on some of our favorite characters like Dark Smith, but instead of being played by our beloved James Duval, we get Avan Jogia in his place. It’s a really bold move to swap em out but I’m honestly not mad at all because both of these boys are on my list of Exceptions*.

*Life is too short to obsess over sexuality. I consider myself a lesbian because I would never seriously date a man but there’s still a small handful of dudes I find cute. Avan Jogia and James Duval are most definitely included. I guess means Gregg Araki has good taste (and not just in film and music).

The short format gives us such a good chance to really appreciate some of Araki’s classic gags. I love that in his world, people regularly order cereal and oatmeal at restaurants, something that I’m pretty sure has never actually happened in real life. Would it really be a Gregg Araki film without a gratuitous food shot? The man cannot resist a centered plate or bowl on a black table. It also warms my heart that he follows the old theatre formula of collecting a troupe of actors to cast in every one of his works. I (genuinely) fucking love seeing the same faces over and over. Nicole LaLiberte is such an underrated star. And her wide set eyes look beautiful onscreen!