Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- abrasive
- disturbing
- brash
- late night horror viewing
- political thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film audacious and visually stylish in its religious and political provocation, but unevenly executed, with weak scares, talkative writing, and an unfocused blend of horror and action.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Pastor Abin Cooper's fundamentalist church becomes the target of an ATF siege while its victims face lethal indoctrination.
The story moves from a sexual lure involving teenagers into cult horror and then an armed law-enforcement siege.
The teenagers are trapped inside the church as Agent Joseph Keenan's ATF unit is ordered to destroy the compound.
The Five Points Trinity Church functions as both a place of worship and a threatening prison during the siege.
Films like Red State, and why
The Sacrament
shares religious extremism, siege-thriller tension, political provocation, and grim violence
Martha Marcy May Marlene
shares isolated cult horror, manipulation of vulnerable outsiders, and disturbing religious fanaticism
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
shares adolescent peril, homegrown extremism, rural menace, and abrasive social commentary
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Smith
- Release Date
- 2011-08-19
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (1077)
Cast
- Michael Parks
- John Goodman
- Melissa Leo
- Michael Angarano
- Kyle Gallner
- Nicholas Braun
- Kerry Bishé
- Stephen Root
- Matt Jones
- Kevin Alejandro
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Red State about?
- A sexually charged trap strands three teenagers inside a murderous fundamentalist church as an ATF siege turns religious fanaticism into a violent political nightmare.
- What is Red State like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Red State as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Red State violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Red State as graphic.
- What did critics think of Red State?
- Critics broadly found the film audacious and visually stylish in its religious and political provocation, but unevenly executed, with weak scares, talkative writing, and an unfocused blend of horror and action.
- Which films are like Red State?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sacrament, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
- How long is Red State?
- Red State runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Red State?
- In United States, Red State is available to rent or buy from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
