Leon’s a photographer whose work keeps getting rejected. Instead of continuing on the path he has always walked, he decides to take it up a notch. Being in the city’s darkness, Leon discovers more than he bargained for. He follows a man called Mahogany trying to land the next big story and discovers this mysterious man is a killer. He sees and photographs things he shouldn’t and Mahogany knows who he is.
Back in 2008, Clive Barker’s short story The Midnight Meat Train, and his novel Books of Blood were adapted into a film. This is one of my all-time favorite films. A dark and gritty adaptation of a serial killer. This Meat Train review is a spoiler review and includes an explanation and spoilers. If you are looking for a different kind of horror movie killer, then the assassin at the center of this horror movie is one of the best movies ever made. What does the writer Jeff Buhler have in common with the remakes of Jacobs Ladder and Pet Cemetary? Read on to find out. This review includes a Midnight Meat Train Explanation with spoilers.
The Midnight Meat Train Review
There are some scenes in “The Midnight Meat Train” where nothing gets uttered for some time. It creates a feeling of dread and unease so effortlessly I was in awe of this movie as soon as it began. The lighting and the way the characters are introduced are instantly engaging.
The story itself has all the good stuff crammed into it. If you like gore — it’s got it. If you like tension— sure it’s got that too. Mystery — yep. And a plot that stands up and demands your attention.
Mahogany played by Vinnie Jones is an excellent antagonist. His mere presence on-screen is more than enough to exude a menacing feeling to both Leon who is stalking him and to the viewer who is watching. Combine that with the jaded gloom of a city under darkness and add the desolate nameless faces on subway trains and you have a stage that could hold any horror movie lover’s attention.
Horror Movie Killers
I think the concept is awesome. I have ridden many a train at night in my youth. Many times I have been alone in a train car or similarly with only one or two other people. This type of scenario automatically places you on guard. The lighting used in The Midnight Meat Train perfectly encapsulates the eerie influence the fluorescent bulbs cast on anyone within its reach. Seeing Mahogany in his suit carrying a large black bag, sedately traveling along, you couldn’t help but be curious about what he was up to.
In the years since this movie was released, it continuously pops up from time to time as a great movie to see. There is also a lot of negativity surrounding the ending, with some reviewers refusing to believe that Clive Barker would have ended his short story in the same way.
Midnight Meat Train Movie Explanation
I can confirm that the adaptation is almost exactly the same ending as the movie and, I, for one adore it. I’m never the one who agrees with the masses, and the masses hated the final scenes. The detail of Clive’s original work in his novel would’ve added some meat to the last act. It’s only a few small details between the storyline and the film though. The Midnight Meat Train still ends well I think and I applaud it for that, not condemn it.
I wanted to see it turn into a franchise when I first watched this fairly low-budget film. The ending gave way to a larger story. There aren’t many movies that do that well. Now, I’m happy that it has stayed its own entity and I believe it has become a cult classic.
When the movie had a limited release, the production company Lionsgate was blamed. Politics among the ranks of the studios’ head honchos caused issues. In any case, I think The Midnight Meat Train has held up well over time. I have no qualms in recommending it to anyone looking for a brilliant hidden gem they might have missed.
The Midnight Meat Train is rated
5 butcher mallets out of 5.
The Midnight Meat Train Trailer
Budget and Release Details For Midnight Meat Train
- Director: Ryuhei Kitamura. For another film review from this director see Downrange (2017.),
- Writer: Jeff Buhler but based on The Midnight Meat Train Clive Barker’s short story in his novel Books of Blood in Volume 1,
- The Midnight Meat Train cast includes Bradley Cooper, Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields, Roger Bart, and Ted Raimi.
- Date of Release: July 2008,
- Country of Origin: USA,
- Genre: Horror with a dash of mystery,
- Budget: $15 million,
- Box Office: $3.5 million.
Jeff Buhler Movies
- Jeff Buhler co-wrote the remake storyline for Jacobs Ladder and Pet Sematary movie.
- Pet Cemetary was released in April 2019 (AU) with co-writer David Kajganich (The Terror 2018.) The direction is from Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmeyer who previously teamed up for the Starry Eyes movie (2014) and Holidays (2016.)
- Jacobs Ladder was released in February 2019 (USA.) With him on this one are Sarah Thorpe and Jake Wade Wall (The Hitcher 2007.) The direction will be with David M. Rosenthal.
The Midnight Meat Train Review + Spoilers - Mother of Movies
Director: Ryûhei Kitamura
Date Created: 2008-08-01 18:52
5
Pros
- Cast
- Cinematography
- Tension
- Beats
- Story
Cons
- The debate about the end of The Midnight Meat Train
