I’ve Been Hearing Matthew Lillard’s Name A Lot Lately, And It Makes Me Think Of One Of His Best Movies From The ’90s (It’s Not Scream)

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I’ve been noticing Matthew Lillard in a lot of projects recently, which is great! He’s one of my favorite actors from the 90s, alongside Jim Carrey, and it’s wonderful to see him still working in film.

You might have recently seen him in the new Five Nights at Freddy’s film (we thought it was just okay, but that’s typical for adaptations like this). But it seems like almost everyone—except Quentin Tarantino—is a fan of Lillard! He consistently brings a lot to any movie he’s in, from Scream and Scooby Doo to The Descendants. He’s always a great addition to the cast.

Although many consider Scream or She’s All That to be his best films from the 1990s, I think SLC Punk! (released in 1998) is a standout. It’s a real hidden gem, and I want to share why.

Oh, and spoilers for a 27 year-old-movie.

To Begin With, SLC Punk! Might Be Lillard At His Finest

The movie SLC Punk!, released in the 1990s, is set in the 1980s. It follows Stevo, played by Justin Lillard, a clever young man immersed in the punk scene—a particularly challenging place to be, given that it’s in the very conservative state of Utah. He’s not on his own, though; his close friend, nicknamed “Heroin Bob” (Michael Goorjian), shares his passion for the lifestyle.

Both characters are newcomers to Salt Lake City, and they generally try to fit in. However, “Heroin Bob” feels more genuine than Stevo. Despite his nickname, Bob is actually straight edge and embodies punk ideals because of his difficult past. Stevo, on the other hand, seems to be putting on an act. He comes from a privileged background and could easily go to law school, but chooses not to, wanting to appear rebellious and embrace a punk lifestyle.

Lillard portrays this role with ease. While it’s clear he’s more fascinated by the concept of punk than actually living it, the character Stevo doesn’t seem to notice. Stevo believes he embodies the punk spirit, but his actions often contradict that image. For example, he’s casually dating Sarah (Jennifer Lien) and thinks he’s okay with their open relationship. However, when he discovers she’s seeing someone else, he assaults the man, then realizes this act clashes with his supposed beliefs about breaking norms.

Lillard’s performance is complex and well-structured, with a definite start, middle, and finish—probably why he didn’t reprise his role in the unnecessary sequel, Punk’s Dead. On the bright side, the character “Heroin Bob” did make a comeback, in a way.

The Movie Is A Comedy, But Lillard Somehow Manages To Lend It Gravitas

SLC Punk! is genuinely funny at times. Much of the humor comes from the main character, Stevo, playfully teasing people he considers conventional – like his parents, who went from being hippies to yuppies. Stevo feels like an outsider in Salt Lake City, so he makes fun of those around him. The character ‘Heroin Bob’ is also a comedic highlight; despite his intimidating appearance with a mohawk, he’s portrayed as a surprisingly kind person.

While the film is definitely a comedy, it also has a surprisingly serious side. Stevo genuinely embodies the lifestyle he’s trying to live, and his sincere dedication to the scene makes his self-destructive path all the more poignant – he doesn’t realize how far he’s falling. His increasingly erratic behavior hints at a larger breakdown if he doesn’t change course.

As I mentioned before, this performance clearly unfolds in three parts. Throughout it, Lillard moves from enthusiastically embracing punk rock, to wondering if it truly fits him, and finally realizing he was on a journey of self-discovery all along.

The movie starts with amusing reactions to Stevo’s outrageous behavior from those around him, creating a lighthearted and entertaining beginning. However, this playful tone eventually fades.

Lillard Makes The Punk Scene Feel Authentic

A close friend from grade school first showed me this movie. He was a huge punk fan back then – I think he still enjoys the music, but that intense, defining part of his identity has faded over time, which happens to most people as they grow up.

When he showed me the movie, I realized he understood that Lillard’s character was a fraud, but also that the lifestyle he pretended to have was still admirable. In a way, he reminded me of that character – a more complete and authentic version. It’s fascinating how Lillard portrays that desire to be someone you’re not, even if it means pretending.

I can relate to this! When I was younger, I went through a similar phase with rap music, convinced I was truly immersed in the scene – though looking back, I was probably more like the character Anthony Mackie played in 8 Mile. Damian Lillard captures that feeling perfectly. It’s easy for people to say they’re into punk, but often there’s not much genuine reason behind the rebellious attitude – it often just comes down to a fear of growing up.

Punk music often embodies a desire to hold onto youth, and Damian Lillard’s incredible play perfectly captures that rebellious spirit against the inevitable effects of time.

It Has One Of The Saddest Endings, And Lillard Totally Sells It

I realized we should include the death of “Heroin Bob” from SLC Punk! in our list of the saddest movie deaths – it’s truly heartbreaking. Interestingly, Bob Williams, the character, didn’t actually use heroin; he was afraid of needles. And despite his nickname, he lived a “straight edge” lifestyle, meaning he avoided all drugs and alcohol. This might seem counterintuitive for a punk character, because punk culture often embraces drug use, but being straight edge can also be a form of rebellion.

CM Punk, the wrestler, is well-known as the “Straight Edge Superstar” because he publicly follows the straight edge lifestyle. In contrast, a character called “Heroin Bob” mistakenly believes he’s straight edge, but isn’t fully committed to it. This leads to his death: he unknowingly takes both Percodan for a headache and alcohol, resulting in a fatal combination.

The scene is incredibly powerful, largely due to Lillard’s reaction to discovering his friend’s death. It really showcases his acting range, as he portrays a character grappling with his own responsibility in the tragedy. This moment forces him to confront the fact that his tough exterior is just an act, and he understands the dire consequences if he continues down this path.

This is an incredibly powerful and moving performance, and it’s why I consider it Lillard’s best role. What’s your favorite Lillard performance?

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2025-12-14 04:10