The Midnight Meat Train (2008) Review
A Chilling and Gritty Horror Experience
One Line Story
A radio talk show host investigates the terrifying phenomenon of sleep paralysis and the shadow people who haunt its sufferers.
Movie Review
"The Midnight Meat Train" is a horror movie directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, based on Clive Barker's short story of the same name. It stars Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, and Vinnie Jones in lead roles.
The story follows Leon (Bradley Cooper), a photographer in New York City, who is determined to capture the gritty and dark side of the city. He stumbles upon Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), a butcher who takes the subway at midnight and appears to be carrying human meat. Intrigued by Mahogany's behavior, Leon decides to follow him and uncover the truth behind his mysterious activities. As he gets closer to the truth, he finds himself in a fight for his life.
The film has a dark and gritty tone that captures the atmosphere of New York City's subway system. The cinematography is excellent, and the use of lighting creates a sense of tension and unease.
The film's pacing is also well-done, with the tension building slowly throughout the film until the final climactic scene.
One of the film's strengths is its villain, Mahogany, played expertly by Vinnie Jones. Mahogany is a ruthless killer with a calm and collected demeanor. He carries out his murders with brutal efficiency and is a formidable opponent for Leon. Jones delivers a chilling performance that will stay with you long after the film is over.
Bradley Cooper also gives a convincing performance as the protagonist, Leon. His character arc is interesting to watch as he transforms from a detached observer to someone who is personally invested in the events unfolding before him. The supporting cast, including Leslie Bibb as Leon's girlfriend, also delivers solid performances.
The film's gore and violence are not for the faint of heart. The kills are brutal and graphic, and the film does not shy away from showing the aftermath of Mahogany's work.
However, the violence never feels gratuitous and is always in service of the story.
One of the film's weaknesses is its ending. While it is certainly memorable, it feels somewhat rushed and unsatisfying. It raises more questions than it answers and may leave some viewers feeling unfulfilled.
Overall, "The Midnight Meat Train" is a well-made horror movie that will appeal to fans of the genre.
It has an excellent villain, strong performances, and a tense atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While its ending may be divisive, the film is still worth watching for its strong elements and overall quality.
In conclusion, "The Midnight Meat Train" is a chilling and well-crafted horror film that delivers on its promise of suspense, gore, and terror. The film's strong performances, gritty atmosphere, and expertly crafted cinematography create a tense and unsettling experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
While the ending may leave some viewers wanting more, the film's overall quality and execution make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
With its excellent villain, strong lead performances, and relentless violence, "The Midnight Meat Train" is a standout horror film that is not to be missed.
cast and crew
- Bradley Cooper as Leon
- Leslie Bibb as Maya
- Vinnie Jones as Mahogany
- Brooke Shields as Susan Hoff
- Roger Bart as Jurgis
- Tony Curran as Driver
- Barbara Eve Harris as Detective Lynn Hadley
- Director: Ryuhei Kitamura
- Writers: Jeff Buhler (screenplay), Clive Barker (short story)
- Producers: Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Richard S. Wright, Eric Reid
- Cinematographer: Jonathan Sela
- Music: Johannes Kobilke
- Rating: R (Language | Grisly Images Involving Nudity | Sexual Content | Strong Bloody Violence)
- Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
- Release Date: Aug 1, 2008 Limited
- Box Office: $73.5K
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Distributor: Lionsgate Films
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About the Creator
Vivekananthan Vellaichamy
Writing is my passion. I love writing stories about scary things and health related articles. And I love writing movies reviews about ghost and serial killer movies.
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Comments (1)
I posted the one line story of this movie by mistake. Kindly forgive me. The following one line story only is perfect for this. One Line Story of The Midnight Meat Train (2008): A photographer's obsession with capturing the darkness of the city leads him on a terrifying journey into the world of a serial killer who stalks the New York City subway system at night.