Does the electronic dance scene have the capability of being soulful, emotionally engaging and unobnoxious? Well, it turns out Catfish actor Max Joseph manages to take this world that can be utterly abhorrent at times and has turned it into a beautiful generational piece with Warner Bros.’ We Are Your Friends.

Dropping into theaters on Aug. 28, Joseph’s directorial debut finds Zac Efron as an up-and-coming DJ by the name of Cole Carter and his three friends Mason (Jonny Weston), Ollie (Shiloh Fernandez) and Squirrel (Alex Shaffer), who promote the nightclubs/parties he spins at. One night after Cole finishes a session, with no pay yet again, he runs into James Reed (Wes Bentley), a once popular DJ, who sees potential in him and takes him under his wing.

Providing him with his wisdom, a professional studio, gigs and with his assistant/girlfriend Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski), Reed encourages Carter to pursue his dreams and spend his future doing what makes him happy, not what makes him money. That’s when Paige comes along (Jon Bernthal), a financial advisor who fools people into thinking he’ll help them escape foreclosure, but just ends up extorting them. He offers Carter and his friends a job that helps them make money, but certainly not in the most ethical of ways. Conflicted with financially providing for himself and chasing his goals, Carter navigates through various hardships in order to make a name for himself as a hit DJ.

There’s plenty of factors to be impressed by here, one of which being its flat out gorgeous look. Indie cinematographer Brett Pawlak shoots everything with an immaculate eye, from his stunningly framed wide angles to his magnificent close ups. A definite stand out scene is one that takes place at an art gallery, in which Pawlak’s keen visual splendor is expressed to its fullest with an overwhelming sense of captivating wonder.

Aside from the look, the film is filled to the brim with tremendous performances. This is without a doubt Efron’s best work to date, and this is coming from a die hard High School Musical fan. Efron’s been quite good in some more mature comedies before, such as Neighbors and That Awkward Moment, but here, he displays a wide array of depth as an actor. His commitment to the role is immensely admirable, and his rapport with his friends is believable and amusing.

The supporting cast, which is studded with great character actors such as Wes Bentley and Jon Bernthal, is also terrific. Ratajkowski, while perfectly serviceable, didn’t exactly make the role her own, as she never exactly retained any sort of unique flair or much chemistry with Efron.

Also, for a movie about EDM, there’s bound to be a plethora of DJ sequences, and they’re all outstanding. From the sound mixing, to the authenticity, to the style in which they’re shot, again due to Pawlak’s relentless talent, they’re about as invigorating as anything in a superhero movie.

What a misleading trailer for such a surprisingly incredible movie. Though there are definitely plenty of heart-pounding musical arrangements, this isn’t a typical, lazy, immature party movie. This is a movie about a misguided young person trying to find his voice in a very loud world and dedicating himself to his aspirations, and it’s spectacular. It has light-hearted moments, dramatic heft, an inspiring significance, and above all, meaning.