Kevin Smith writes and directs the controversial and, at the time, out of character action / horror film Red State. Michael Parks stars as Abin Cooper, head of a religious fundamentalist group that cons three teens over the internet into thinking they’re going to score with an older woman. Little do they know what they’re actually in for, a whole lot of preaching and even more dying at the group’s heavily armed compound. Those plans are thrown for a loop, though, by John Goodman and his ATF unit that arrives on the scene at this most inopportune time, leading to a bloody showdown. Violent, political and not exactly funny, Smith makes a cinematic statement with Red State that he’s more than just the vulgar humorist audiences know, and that he can also excel outside of his customary genre.
“Kevin Smith’s best film ever? If it’s not, it’s damn close. And if you don’t know who Kevin Smith is, don’t worry: this film’s a blast, Smith fan or no.” – Film4
“A subversive little comic horror film that represents a shot across the bow at extreme fundamentalist bigots but hits a few other targets along with them, Red State is cleverly contrarian enough to get a rise out of almost any audience.” – Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter
