The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan

2025 1h 49m EN

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Before unsung gay NYC exploitation maverick Andy Milligan died of AIDS, he cranked out grindhouse-ready shock and so-bad-it’s-good schlock movies throughout the late 1960s and ’70s. Yet, as captured in this fascinating documentary, his life and on-set persona were messy, complicated, and unforgettable.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Andy Milligan
Self (archive footage)
Gerald Jacuzzo
Self
Hope Stansbury
Self
Jimmy McDonough
Self
Stephen Thrower
Self
Sam Sherman
Self
John Borske
Self
Alex DiSanto
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Josh Johnson
Writers: Josh Johnson
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

CRAFT

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Josh Johnson, shot by Grayson Tyler Johnson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Josh Freda. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Grayson Tyler Johnson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Andy Milligan and Gerald Jacuzzo and Hope Stansbury carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt35981903 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Josh Johnson directs. Grayson Tyler Johnson behind the camera. Josh Freda scores. Grayson Tyler Johnson cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released last year.
2Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
3Directed by Josh Johnson, shot by Grayson Tyler Johnson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Josh Freda. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Grayson Tyler Johnson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Andy Milligan and Gerald Jacuzzo and Hope Stansbury carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt35981903 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.