Category: Horror

Year: 2011

Rating: 6.0/10 (330)

Director: Kevin Smith

Country: USA

Language: English

Release Date: 19 October 2011 (USA) See more »

Movie Storyline
Set in Middle America, a group of teens receive an online invitation for sex, though they soon encounter fundamentalists with a much more sinister agenda.

Cast:
Michael Angarano - Travis
Deborah Aquila - Mrs. Vasquez
Nicholas Braun - Billy-Ray
Ronnie Connell - Randy
Kaylee DeFer - Dana
Joey Figueroa - Route 9 Friend
Kyle Gallner - Jarod
Anna Gunn - Travis' Mother
Matt L. Jones - Deputy Pete (as Matt Jones)
John Lacy - Travis' Father
Catherine McCord - News Reporter
Alexa Nikolas - Jesse
Stephen Root - Sherrif Wynan
Cooper Thornton - Plastic Wrap Man
Betty Aberlin - Abigail

Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California, USA

Trivia:
At the premier of the film at the Sundance film festival, Kevin Smith said he would "pick the distributor 'auction style'" immediately following the screening. After the screening he then pulled producer John Gordon on stage to conduct the auction. Smith then bid $20 for distribution rights and Gordon immediately sold it to him. Smith revealed it was his plan all along to self-distribute the film himself.

Quotes:
Pastor Abin Cooper: [from trailer] I fear God. You better believe I fear God.

User Review:

Best Kevin Smith Film to Date! , rated: 9/10
I had the honor of seeing a screening of Red State last night at Laser Pacific in Hollywood as part of the Red State of the Union film school program Kevin Smith held.

Prior to going in, I refused to read any of the Sundance screening reviews of the film because I wanted to avoid spoilers and go in with a fresh experience. I had high expectations and I was not disappointed.

The film begins with sort of the stereotypical horror movie formula, teenagers go out looking for sex and find themselves staring death in the face. However, what happens to them in Red State is a far departure from your standard Jason or Michael Myers flick. The film is hardly a stereotypical horror movie. In fact, Kevin Smith deliberately goes out of his way in this film to keep it far from the typical story arch and structure of most studio movies. Just when you think you know what is going to happen next, Smith hits you with another twist and surprise. This film is completely unpredictable and unforgiving of its characters.

I must congratulate Mr. Smith on the exceptional camera-work and editing in this picture. This is by far the best looking Kevin Smith movie to date. The constant use of hand held cameras and creative cutting, keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I think a fair comparison would be Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects" or parts of the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". Also, the film has no musical underscore. It uses ambiance and sound effects in place which works beautifully for this film. Most films use music to enhance the mood and make you feel a certain way. In this film, you can tell Kevin Smith doesn't care how you feel and wants you to just sit there and take it.

The cast is also spectacular. Michael Parks steals the show. Also John Goodman delivers the goods and has a lot more screen time than the teaser trailer suggests.

All in all, I think this film is one of the best films I have seen in the last few years. With everything being computer generated these days, it refreshing to see a small practical film like this which still holds as much power as one of the big boy studio flicks. And for those of you worrying about the political or religious messages, there aren't any. This movie does not preach religious views to you nor does it take any kind of political side. Its plain and simple. This is just a horror movie about a family of psychos. The fact that they are religious just adds to the terror.

The movie also features one of the best endings ever.

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