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Harmony Korine is thinking on a whole different level. One can say that the rebel and controversial filmmaker was never fully on this planet to begin with, whether it was creating art through recklessness, a drug induced journey or just seeing the world through a chaotic lens Korine always finds a way to stand out. Especially to those that venture into his world. Korine has also never shed his roots of the days of exploring new ways to not just infuriate others but also find new often perverse ways to tell stories in an industry that always finds ways to settle. Whether it be his first outing “Gummo” that blended documentary and narrative focusing on a group of people much of America has rejected, or 2009’s “Trash Humpers” which featured elderly people, well, humping trash cans, Korine basks in the recklessness and the reception of such. And while he a few of his films have crossed into a larger lexicon of cinephiles, (Spring Breakers an internet meme sensation when memes were just coming around) his fandom have consisted of a regular disciples attending the church of Korine both out of praise and sometimes playful mockery. Nonetheless those devoted hang onto his every word, while Korine himself continues to push forward in what he sees as the future of film. For him, a product of the 90’s this found him back into the world of gaming. Korine’s newfound company EDGLRD is gaming, music, fashion and of course movie making company determined to bring us a world beyond movies. Hard to describe it without the hint of iron (and pretentiousness) especially when A.I. threatens film at every corner. EDGLRD instead embraces the possibilities but is constantly open to learning the next evolution. For them AGGRO DR1FT (the company’s first film to be released) is an answer to all of this. A story of an assassin questioning the validity of his life and job may be the center of the film but it is driven by Korine’s new way of telling this story through an entire infrared photography, psychedelic demonic music and of course all based in the seedy backdrop of Florida (Korine’s home and love since Spring Breakers). AGGRO DR1FT may be a new way for Korine to tell a story, but in his mind it may become the only way. A laughable idea at first and while he seems to be running towards the cinematic apocalypse before it has arrived Korine at least knows that he will adapt and persevere while major studios continue to crumble to this day. The film is also a call out to the many copycats Korine has inspired over the years and instead lets them know try as they might, they won’t succeed if they keep rehashing his old material. Instead Korine knows he is the leader making new content while hopefully inspiring other’s to go beyond themselves. A lot of ego from a man whose new film features a giant devil, tons of big ass women twerking and a villain who can’t help but dry hump his samurai sword. But hey everyone else is sticking to conventional and failing so maybe we should have a listen.

AGGRO DR1FT is about the world’s “greatest assassin” we know this because our hero Bo (Jordi Molla) states it from the very beginning and then repeats it about a hundred times more. Told through voiceover narration Bo lets us into his world of murder, family and deceit. Anyone familiar with “Spring Breakers” will recognize Korine’s ability to have his characters narration feel out of time as if they are traveling both through the past and future while we wait in the present. It appears simple at first, Bo gets assigned a new job for a dangerous client and sets off into the Miami oceans to recruit his team while his wife waits at home desiring his touch and protection. But even as the film progresses in its narrative it is always apparent this is a film that deserves to be washed over you and consume you, rather than the opposite. We are mere products that are meant to be shown how a new wave of story telling can occur. The infrared visuals are on par with a drug infused night out both exhilarating and terrifying. We never fully see people’s faces but rather outlines and eventually even as we begin to form a possible idea, its visuals constantly shift causing us to be brought back into a new sensation. Molla who may be still known best for the antagonist in “Bad Boys” plays off the almost Travis Bickle esque narration with a newfound sense of love and empathy that brings us back to the notion that while Korine may be seen as reckless in his execution still just loves making movies even if he claims otherwise.

Korine isn’t claiming to be the world’s greatest assassin but he may be starting to see he is the only one who can operate the way he does. Perhaps that is the point of both AGGRO and EDGLRD as a company. Like Bo he has to recruit those that can explore with him. In AGGRO this comes in the form of Bo’s apprentice played by Travis Scott whose presence and humor is both a delight as it is absurd (much like everything in this film). As Bo tells Scott’s assassin character that he will be the future you know that Korine is pleading to his followers to respect his passion and not look specifically at him for inspiration but rather purse and push forward on your own. One may not see Korine, AGGRO and especially Netflix’s “I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson” as a trifecta, but it is impossible seeing the way Korine reacts without thinking of the sketch involving Robinson’s character pulling antics at a party only to gain his own followers begging to know the next move. Korine’s own followers must learn from AGGRO and let the film consume them when viewing but free them afterwards and let them create. Or fuck it maybe this is just a movie about a demon trying to take over the Miami scene, only Korine knows but one thing is for sure, the next outing will be nothing like the last. That alone is exciting and while the world doesn’t (and could never) have another Harmony Korine perhaps we could use filmmakers that at least try to discover more.

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AGGRO DR1FT SCREENED AT THE 61ST NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL. IT WILL BE RELEASED BY EDGLRD