The filmmakers described this movie as a "serio-comedy about terrorism, beer, and talk shows."
Director Jefery Levy wanted to include material from Nirvana, particularly the song "All Apologies," on the soundtrack. Though the music was never obtained, Levy said an early cut of this movie was screened for singer Kurt Cobain, who "responded" to the film. Later, following Cobain's death, Levy said that he found the parallels between this movie and Cobain's life to be quite eerie.
The song that Stephen Dorff and Reese Witherspoon sing in duet is the theme song to the television program Quoi de neuf, docteur ? (1985).
When Spab (Stephen Dorff) is asked "what are you rebelling against," he replies "Well, what have you got", the same exchange involving Marlon Brando in the feature L'équipée sauvage (1953).
Originally, Cliff Spab was written to be 17 years old. However, when Stephen Dorff was cast in the role, Cliff's age was changed to 20, Dorff's age during the production.