Review of Red State (2011) by Luke B — 01 Feb 2013

Kevin Smith abandons his comedies for this horror/thriller loosely based on the Westboro baptist church. An extremist religious community kidnap 'sinners' and execute them. That's it for the plot, but things soon get out of hand with the arrival of John Goodman as an ATF agent.

There isn't really a focus to the film, with everyone just being unlikable, from the religious maniacs to the government agents. The violence is pretty contained, but it's the performances that are most disturbing.

Michael parks and Melissa Leo are fantastic as members of the church, and Goodman is simply fantastic as the conflicted ATF agent. Certainly exciting and tense, and shot in the style of an old skool 80s nasty, Smith perfectly captures the tone.

However, as I said, you just don't get teh chance to attach to anyone as every character is expendable.