A photographer's obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways.A photographer's obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways.A photographer's obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer who stalks late night commuters, ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 6 nominations
Nori Satô
- Erika Sakaki
- (as NorA)
Michael Shawn McCracken
- Father #1
- (as Michael McCracken)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn its official North American release, the film opened in one hundred two discount theaters, also called "dollar theaters" for their very low admission prices, rather than at regular first-run cinemas with normal ticket prices, which was a factor in its poor opening weekend box-office earnings.
- GoofsWhen Maya is searching through Mahogany's bathroom, at one point the white t-shirt of a crew member is visible in the mirror.
- Quotes
Leon Kauffman: I've got a train to catch.
- Alternate versionsGerman version is cut by approx. 7 minutes to secure a "Not under 18" rating.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Phelous & the Movies: Phelous Aboard the Midnight Meat Train (2009)
- SoundtracksCatching Up To You
Written by Joe Diaco
Performed by Alt-Ctrl-Sleep
Courtesy of Lakeshore Records
Featured review
Only those with a strong stomach will successfully make it to the end of the line.
Hop on board and hold on tight, 'cos The Midnight Meat Train is a wild ride through the twisted world of Clive Barker, and with splatterific Japanese horror/action director Ryûhei Kitamura at the controls it can only get messy.
Based on a short story in Barker's Books of Blood, The Midnight Meat Train stars Bradley Cooper as NY photographer Leon, who stumbles upon the existence of a brutal killer called Mahogany (Vinnie jones) who roams the subway butchering those passengers unfortunate enough to ride the first train after 2.00am. Leon tracks and photographs the murderous brute as he goes about his grisly work; in doing so he not only starts to lose his sanity, but exposes those he loves to mortal danger.
I'll be the first to admit that The Midnight Meat Train isn't without its flaws: as far as the script goes it's a case of 'mind the gaps' with lapses in logic and loose plot threads galore, and Cooper is far from memorable in the lead. However, there are several factors that prevent this train from derailing and winding up a total wreck....
First, we have Kitamura's creative direction which uses audacious camera trickery and awesome CGI effects to stunning effect. A POV shot from a severed head is delightfully nasty, but the most breathtaking moment comes as Cooper fights Jones aboard a speeding train, the camera constantly revolving around the action, even leaving the confines of the carriage.
Next, we have the spectacular gore, which is absolutely eye-popping (quite literally, in one particularly memorable scene featuring Ted Raimi): Mahogany brutally bludgeons his victims with a massive metal hammer, which results in some really nasty injuries (including one total decapitation), after which he prepares the body (shaves the hair, plucks out the eyeballs, removes teeth) and hoists it up using hooks through the ankles. All of this is presented with amazing visual flair and a keen eye for disgusting detail.
Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, we have Vinnie Jones putting in an impressive turn as Mahognay. If anyone was born to play this role, it's Jones: he might not be the most accomplished actor ever to grace the silver screen, but he effortly exudes the menace and mental instability required to make the character a truly convincing figure of fear.
As the film approaches its conclusion, The Midnight Meat Train switches track to travel down a more supernatural branch; this change in direction might prove too much for those who thought they were watching a straightforward serial killer flick, but I relished every weird and wonderful development (I haven't read the short story, but it was kinda what I expected from Barker).
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
Based on a short story in Barker's Books of Blood, The Midnight Meat Train stars Bradley Cooper as NY photographer Leon, who stumbles upon the existence of a brutal killer called Mahogany (Vinnie jones) who roams the subway butchering those passengers unfortunate enough to ride the first train after 2.00am. Leon tracks and photographs the murderous brute as he goes about his grisly work; in doing so he not only starts to lose his sanity, but exposes those he loves to mortal danger.
I'll be the first to admit that The Midnight Meat Train isn't without its flaws: as far as the script goes it's a case of 'mind the gaps' with lapses in logic and loose plot threads galore, and Cooper is far from memorable in the lead. However, there are several factors that prevent this train from derailing and winding up a total wreck....
First, we have Kitamura's creative direction which uses audacious camera trickery and awesome CGI effects to stunning effect. A POV shot from a severed head is delightfully nasty, but the most breathtaking moment comes as Cooper fights Jones aboard a speeding train, the camera constantly revolving around the action, even leaving the confines of the carriage.
Next, we have the spectacular gore, which is absolutely eye-popping (quite literally, in one particularly memorable scene featuring Ted Raimi): Mahogany brutally bludgeons his victims with a massive metal hammer, which results in some really nasty injuries (including one total decapitation), after which he prepares the body (shaves the hair, plucks out the eyeballs, removes teeth) and hoists it up using hooks through the ankles. All of this is presented with amazing visual flair and a keen eye for disgusting detail.
Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, we have Vinnie Jones putting in an impressive turn as Mahognay. If anyone was born to play this role, it's Jones: he might not be the most accomplished actor ever to grace the silver screen, but he effortly exudes the menace and mental instability required to make the character a truly convincing figure of fear.
As the film approaches its conclusion, The Midnight Meat Train switches track to travel down a more supernatural branch; this change in direction might prove too much for those who thought they were watching a straightforward serial killer flick, but I relished every weird and wonderful development (I haven't read the short story, but it was kinda what I expected from Barker).
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
helpful•143
- BA_Harrison
- Jul 20, 2012
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Clive Barker's Midnight Meat Train
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $83,361
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $34,394
- Aug 3, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $3,534,313
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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