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Red State
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Metascore
50 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Three horny high-school boys come across an online ad from an older woman looking for sex. Boys being boys, they hit the road to satisfy their erotic curiosity. But what begins as a fantasy takes a dark turn as they come face-to-face with a terrifying "holy" force with a fatal agenda. (Phase 4 Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    Sep 22, 2011
    75
    Red State is as profane and anti-establishment as any of his other films, but the stakes are infinitely higher this time: This Kevin Smith movie has an astonishing body count.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    Sep 26, 2011
    60
    This is one of those movies that's "interesting" rather than ˜"good". Smith has so much solid material to deliver that it's a shame the package is so sloppily wrapped.
  3. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Sep 30, 2011
    20
    Ugly characterizations and simplistic preachiness negate the terror in Red State - a film that eventually proves horrific in ways unintended by writer/director Kevin Smith.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Roadwarrior
    10
    Is this really a Kevin Smith film? The stylized dialogue is most certainly his but the relentless seriousness is a brand new feather in his cap. A Tarantino-esque thrill ride fraught with moralistic angst in this plausible plot of the battle of good verses evil becoming evil verses good. Christian fundamentalist executioners in a range war with a "take no prisoners" government agency is the theme that is subtly underpinned by memorable characters for their very human characteristics. Raw yet believable acting abounds in this freakish "what if" storyline. Anything but fantasy it will have your nerve ends jangling at the harsh reality on offer, there are next to no excuses on offer for the in-your-face subject matter and the way it is presented. As hinted at, Smith has taken a massive step away from his tongue in cheek, humour driven main body of work and given us reason to believe that his talent pool is far deeper than suspected, and via Red State we get a precursor to that certain unforgettable masterpiece that will undoubtedly set him firmly on the plateau of great writer/directors.… Expand
    • 2 of 3 users said yes
  2. kgst
    8
    Red State is the type of movie that would really keep you on the edge of your seat, if you weren't constantly being bashed over the head with the general "message": Kevin Smith hates religious nutjobs and corrupt government officials (don't we all?). That being said, this film is far from something to avoid watching. The dialogue is very well written, and the film has some great shots that keep you in suspense constantly throughout the film. I felt the actors portrayed their respective roles very well, especially Michael Parks. I have much more to type but I will need to come back and finish it.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. bobbythebrown
    0
    This film worked on zero levels. As a horror film, it was dismal. Christian fundamentalist caricatures with guns are not scary, and neither are shootouts with the ATF. As a satire, it was overblown. Subtlety is not something I necessarily expect out of Kevin Smith, but the religious, social, and political commentary here was less of a subtext and more of a bludgeon. Finally, the writing was terrible. Exposition was lazily shoved into clunky dialogue, the dubiously motivated one-dimensional characters had plenty of groan-inducing lines, and plot holes abound, including several occasions of blatant deus ex machina (which are not excused, even in a film with religious themes). This was terrible on all levels.… Expand
    • 1 of 3 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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