'American Trash' Review: A Haunting, Hypnotic Meditation on Perception and Moral Ambiguity
- Romey Norton
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - August 1, 2025
American Trash, the new feature from an unnamed but clearly bold voice in experimental American cinema, fits firmly in the gritty-drama genre. It’s not designed for comfort or convention. It’s a moody, meditative piece that drifts between imagery, memory, and the uneasy pull of human contradiction. A passion piece that speaks more for the people making the film, than what an audience wants and needs and there are pro’s and con’s to this.
What is the film 'American Trash' About?
Robert LaSardo, long known for his intense supporting roles, makes a striking leap behind the camera with American Trash, his directorial debut. More than just a shift in genre, this film is a slow-burning psychodrama that delves into themes of PTSD, greif, and moral ambiguity.
At its core, American Trash follows Milles Carpis (played by LaSardo), a war veteran drifting through the edges of society. But this isn’t a story of redemption in the traditional sense. There’s no clear arc, no tidy resolution. Instead, LaSardo offers a glimpse into the fragmented consciousness of a man burdened by trauma, misunderstood by the world around him. When his loving partner dies, he goes on a journey to find her killer and discovers more about himself along the way.
LaSardo has spoken about wanting to explore the psychology of a figure often painted as an “obvious evil.” In American Trash, he dares to push past society’s snap judgments. The film invites us to consider what lies beneath the surface, and what happens when we dehumanise others too quickly.
The acting is very natural at times, and forced in others. Some sections are very wordy. This film asks the audience to listen, understand and walk away with more questions. LaSardo brings a depth to his character who is rich in backstory, but I never got that pivotal moment from him. The release, the closure – maybe that’s intentional. His character, no matter how stern his face looks, has a level of vulnerability, which does make you root for him.
The film does well in trying to keep the audiences attention by slowly building some drama and tension. Grainy textures and ambient soundscapes blend, creating an eerie, almost timeless atmosphere. The imagery is haunting, with the use of abandoned spaces, polluted streets, and human detritus against the backdrop of a dark America. There’s a kind of poetic rot to it all: beautiful in its decay. There is the bold choice of using clips from the old Manson tapes which might make some reviewers uncomfortable.
The runtime is long at one hour fifty minutes, and it does feel dragged out in places. Some more upbeat music could have helped the pacing of the film, and keep viewers engaged.
Is the Film 'American Trash' Worth Watching?
There’s a courage in how much this film refuses to entertain in the conventional sense. Instead of flashy editing or stylised action, LaSardo leans into stillness, silence, and symbolism. Dialogue is minimal. Much is left unsaid. The result is a film that trusts its audience to feel rather than be told what to think.
American Trash is a raw and risk-taking debut from Robert LaSardo. It ditches genre clichés in favour of something far more meditative and emotionally honest. At times disturbing, often beautiful, and always thought-provoking, it’s a film that lingers like smoke in the air. Viewers drawn to the experimental side of cinema; American Trash will feel like familiar territory: challenging, mysterious, and strangely moving.
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