X
- 2008
- Unrated
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 38 m
- 2008
- Unrated
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 38 m
Summary When Leon Kaufman’s latest body of work – a collection of provocative, nighttime studies of the city and its inhabitants – earns the struggling photographer interest from prominent art gallerist Susan Hoff, she propels him to get grittier and show the darker side of humanity for his upcoming debut at her downtown art space. Believing he’...
Directed By: Ryûhei Kitamura
Written By: Jeff Buhler, Clive Barker
- 2008
- Unrated
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 38 m
- 2008
- Unrated
- Lionsgate Films
- 1 h 38 m
The Midnight Meat Train
58
6.1
Where to Watch
Summary When Leon Kaufman’s latest body of work – a collection of provocative, nighttime studies of the city and its inhabitants – earns the struggling photographer interest from prominent art gallerist Susan Hoff, she propels him to get grittier and show the darker side of humanity for his upcoming debut at her downtown art space. Believing he’...
Directed By: Ryûhei Kitamura
Written By: Jeff Buhler, Clive Barker
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 4 Critic Reviews
58
50% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 4 Critic Reviews
58
50% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Director Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus) is a bit weak when it comes to storytelling, but there are few who could so enthusiastically stage a butcher fight amid hanging human carcasses in a subway car.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 69 User Ratings
6.1
49% Positive
34 Ratings
34 Ratings
33% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
17% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 69 User Ratings
6.1
49% Positive
34 Ratings
34 Ratings
33% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
17% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
An incredible adaption of Clive Barker's work ranking right up there with the first Hellraiser, this horror flick is exactly what gore hounds want; healthy helpings of dark blood and gore, a decent enough plot, and a professional level of polish that's rare to the industry.
Report
Some solid performances highlight this at time highly uneven and brutally violent and gory ride into the mind and soul of Clive Barker. The major problem that I had with this film is its confused narrative which take us all over the place right up to its twisted, surprise ending. I think it may be one of the goriest films I've seen in some time.
Report
May not be grade-A prime, but it ain't chopped liver either.
Film isn't scary, per se, but it's mostly effective nonetheless, with Cooper capably steering his character from charming young artist to nervous wreck, evoking Ralph Fiennes' more unhinged turns along the way.
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Report
There are certainly some interesting things going on in this Clive Barker short story, turned torture porn style horror flick. It tells a familiar story about a guy who lets his ambition get the better of him and how the real monsters might just be inside of us all along. The themes are compelling and it's all backed up by a great Bradley Cooper performance. The problem is that it just doesn't deliver any frights.
As entertaining as it to watch Cooper's slow descent into madness, it's not hard to see that there just isn't much going on in these scenes. The film juxtaposes in some bloodier moments before it's carnage filled final act, but when it's more interesting to watch the main character snap pictures than it is to watch the film's big baddie chop people up, your horror film might have a problem. The issue with these scenes is that the tone isn't what it should be. I can deal with the overly special effects driven gore, but I can't deal with how oddly tongue-in-cheek these moments feel. It clashes with the more serious tone the rest of the movie has. The problem is that it goes for silly and ridiculous when it should be serious and scary. At the very least the movie treats us to some stomach-churning, at times gross out gore. Yet, even then the over-the-top nature of things takes away some of the effect.
Yet, for what it lacks as a slasher flick it almost makes up for with it's mystery. There's some weird stuff going on that pulls you in the same way it pulls in our protagonist. Just like Cooper's character, you'll find yourself strangely hooked and desperate for answers. There's a bit of a solid payoff in the final act if you stick around. Mostly due to an out-there reveal and solid action. The ending is quite cliché though. You'll see it coming from a mile away.
The results aren't entirely satisfying, but at least they are interesting. Certainly one of the more original horror flicks I've watched in quite some time. Honestly, I can't really think of anything quite like it. It's one of those rare horror flicks where the story and characters are actually more compelling than the actual horror. It's just a shame things can get too absurd for their own good. Even to the point of being comical or outright dumb. Some actual seriousness during the film's murder scenes would have gone a long way towards a better movie. Yet as it stands there's still something here worth a quick look for the horror movie junkie.
Report
The midnight meat train ofrece una trama interesante cargada de litros y litros de sangre, las actuaciones son bastante buenas y aunque el ritmo y desarrollo se sientan fríos, mantiene buena cadencia sin caer en la lentitud, lo que en definitiva no puedo pasar por alto son los efectos especiales que parecen querer dar una mala sensación de tres dimensiones mientras que lucen de una calidad cuestionable.
El desenlace deja muchas dudas al aire y no transmite ni soluciona nada, pudo ser mejor.
Report
Awards
Fright Meter Awards
• 4 Nominations
Gérardmer Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
• 1 Nomination
