Teens film skate crew life in 'Destroy All Girls

A young woman from Jersey City joins a roaming crew of skateboarders in “Destroy All Girls,” a new indie drama making its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival this week.

The film, written and directed by Erin Vassilopoulos, follows Lila, a 22-year-old working at a failing vinyl pressing plant, who drops everything to follow a tight-knit band of itinerant skaters across the Rust Belt and the South. Shot over three years on location and in cramped vans, the movie captures the raw energy of a subculture that has stayed young for decades despite economic shifts and the rise of social media. Vassilopoulos spent time living with skaters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania before filming, aiming to show how the scene functions as a family for those who feel disconnected from mainstream life.

The production leans into the DIY ethos of skate culture, using natural light, handheld cameras, and non-actors alongside seasoned performers to blur the line between fiction and reality. Early screenings suggest the approach resonates; critics point to the film’s tactile sound design and improvised dialogue as standouts. According to Locarno programmers, “Destroy All Girls” was selected for its authentic voice and visual style, placing it among a wave of recent films exploring marginal subcultures from fresh angles.

With distribution talks already underway, the movie could reach streaming platforms or small theatrical circuits next year, potentially introducing wider audiences to a world that thrives on freedom, risk, and fleeting belonging. For Vassilopoulos, the film is both a passion project and a statement about how communities form when traditional routes—jobs, schools, stable homes—no longer offer security. Whether it finds a broad audience or remains a cult gem, it underscores how skate culture continues to shape identity and art long after its rebellious peak.