Bringing his trademark black humour and edge to a politically-tinged horror, Kevin Smith’s Red State sees three teenage boys become the victims of a Westbro Baptist Church-like cult. But with the police force experiencing an ethical crisis of its own, the church members aren’t the hostages’ only threat.
Michael Parks plays Pastor Abin Cooper, a patriarch who revels in his congregation’s rapt adoration, and whose lengthy sermons are brimming with as much charisma as crazed fundamentalism. Parks’ performance is so captivating, so chillingly sinister that it’s impossible to focus on anything else. Including the body hanging from a crucifix behind him.
By contrast, Keenan (a wonderful John Goodman), a tired ATF agent, has many superiors to answer to, which he does over a series of one-sided telephone calls. This innovative representation of the two disparate sides of power demonstrates the personal responsibility involved in choosing to follow doctrine or orders, and proves that any party that claims moral omniscience is a dangerous one.

It’s a brilliant opening act, intelligent and terrifying in equal measure, and as the teens’ frenzied attempts to escape the Cooper house are captured on speeding mounted cameras, Red State sets itself up as visceral and truly unsettling horror.
But like too many politicians and religious leaders, Red State’s opening sell is just been one big justification for a lot of violence. Suddenly morphing into a tension-free shoot-out, Red State loses its potentially powerful message under a hail of bullets, hastily presented caricatures, unclear motivations and an extremely cold, calculated conclusion. Smith believes this to be his masterpiece, but while he may have aimed for a cinematic Jackson Pollock, the result is a beautiful base coat smothered in an impenetrable, excessive mess.
Superbly acted and boasting a brilliantly realized premise, Red State will stay with you, but for its potential, rather than its results. There might be a God, maybe Obama can, and perhaps Red State could have been a great film, but I’m still waiting to see the proof.