Are you familiar with the first Hellraiser movie? That’s probably the finest level of atmosphere captured on film that translates some of what Clive Barker (the creative horror genius behind both Midnight Meat Train and Hellraiser) offers in his fiction. In recent memory, no other film has gone to quite the same lengths to display the level of artistry that has one Barker so many fans not just of his books, but of works derived from his books such as films and video games. He’s a legend in the horror field and certainly no dabbler. When it comes to Midnight Meat Train, there’s a whole lot to love and it’s certainly helpful that we get a strong cast and phenomenal direction from Ryuhei Kitamura, something of an evil genius if there ever was one.

The core of this story is a strange one and to sum it up, the idea here is that there’s a photographer who wants to take pictures of New York City, black and white ones. Nothing real stellar there concept wise, but he notices a woman from one of his shots is missing and when he goes after her, he gets the sneaking suspicion that a well dressed butcher named Mahogany just might be the cause of her disappearance. As it turns out, this suit and tie human slaughtering machine has done in more than the poor woman. He’s made something of a hobby out of slaughtering folks on the subway late at night. 

Now, if that’s not enough to get any horror fan curious, this reviewer doesn’t know what is. After the movie’s rolling we get a decent script based on a terrific short story of the same by Clive Barker. Those who’ve read the story by Barker already know how things will turn out, but those who don’t know the ending are going to either love it or hate it, that much has definitely been holding true according fan feedback. Opinions on the ending aside, the cinematography work in this film is nothing short of brilliant. There’s that red saturation that builds an eerie ambience, all the right levels of unreliable fluorescent lighting and plenty of visual food for your eyes. 

From start to finish this is a highly entertaining movie that does creepy and does gore. In fact, this reviewer would venture to say that the gore in Midnight Meat Train is done to near perfection if not flat out flawless. It’s inventive, it’s not overkill and its gross. All the right elements there. The only sad thing about this movie is that it’s probably not going to have a sequel, even though the rest of the short stories in Clive Barker’s Book of Blood will most likely see a film version.

That and the fact that Lionsgate dropped the ball on promoting this movie. It could’ve been an enormous hit, but it definitely did not get the promotion it so richly deserved.

So don’t miss it, even if you haven’t heard of it. You’re in for a solid ride and where you end up? Well, that will all be your opinion, but it won’t be boring along the way.