This movie had the potential to be a cult classic, it could have been so brilliant but as it stands it's just good. Whilst there is nothing wrong with being 'good' it can be the death null when the movie seems a rehash of movies long before it's time. I have no problem with Red Mist, it was a nice way of whiling away the hour but that really is it.

If I was asked to recommend this, I would not because the chances are you've seen this idea done and a lot better than this.

Red Mist is admirable but the final product is not brilliant. Given that the cast were quite good and the story was a little different, I can be excused for hoping there would be more to this than there was.

PLOTLINE

A young doctor, Catherine, in a US hospital starts using an experimental drug on a coma victim, hoping it might be the answer to reviving him. However the effects are not as she hopes they will be as it triggers a powerful "out of body" experience. Soon the patient begins to take over ordinary people and extract revenge  on the medical students who caused his lapse into the coma. The patient- a depraved, dangerous loner, will not stop in his terror as well. Catherine, being one of the students who participated in the tragic events, realises she can no longer trust anyone, be it family or friend, as he edges ever closer to her. But how can she protect herself against that she cannot see...?

The beginning of the movie opens itself to promise. We see something a little unique and in itself something that could have worked so well. Fleshed out enough to have real understanding, it was a work in progress and sadly that is where it stays; a work in progress. It seems like the draft of the movie was used and no due thought given to the major influences of the story.

Might have been brilliant but the optimum word is 'Might'.

Lead actress, Arielle Kebbel (Catherine), did fine in the job. There are times when she steps into over the top acting but for the most part she is capable of holding her head above the water. Not enlightening or particularly engrossing but enough of an actress to stop the entire movie being a calamity.

For the gore/ cinematography and musical interlude:

All three are very different in comparison. The score is crisp but never really stands out, the cinematography in an oblique sort of way really carries a look like that of SAW. Grim, lack of colour and often dark, foreboding surroundings. It works, I think had they used a more light, gentle surrounding that eerie tension would not have existed at all.

The gore is pretty decent. When it first starts to become the 'death to all' scenario we only see flashes of blood and a lot is lent to the 'what our imagination is capable of', as time draws on though it becomes more obvious. The blood becomes more prominent and the deaths all the more brutal and captured.

They are not that inventive in all honest and some of the deaths are over way too quickly and only mildly satisfying. Other deaths do make up for this, a particular favourite is the woman and guy making out in a small room, her straddling him and (well you watch and see for yourself) That was fun and enjoyable so kudos for that. In terms of blood it was pretty simple. Nothing major but enough to keep the appetite appeased.

One thing that truly ruined this movie was the final scene. The last shock twist was an awful way to end the movie and seemed more a gimmick much used in other hollywood fare.Had it been left off this movie would have been so much better for it.  

And that is it. Do I recommend Red Mist? No. I give it 6 out of 10 for effort and personally I enjoyed it despite my quibbles. But for others? It will seem a simple case of 'been there.Got the T-shirt and read the book'

This has been done before in different guises, with more compelling stories and much more heart. Red Mist (originally entitled Freakdog) is entertaining enough but it's just been done too much to get that effect desired.

Skip this and find another movie. If you are really curious then feel free but do not expect anything much, I liked it. It managed to keep my interest but for others that interest might not hold as much. An acquired taste.

Enjoy in whatever decision you make.

Razor blade kisses,

BTK.