Jin Won Kim’s The Butcher – 2007

Proven by the success of movies like Cloverfield, and even The Blair Witch project, mockumentary type of movie making has gained a renewed popularity, which is still increasing. While critics may say that the term “contains shocking images” has taken on a new meaning, there is something to be said for this type of movie making in terms of realism. The feeling you get from seeing footage shot in this fashion, produces a result and feel, you simply cannot obtain from conventional camera work.

This being said, Jin Won Kim’s the butcher is such a type of movie, but in the extreme sense of the word, as we get to witness the creation of a “Snuff” movie from both angles: The victims point of view and vice versa. The creators are indentified as “the director”, his assistant and also the title of the movie in the process to be made is revealed as “Lunatic”.

We start off with four unlucky victims, of which two are dragged of almost immediately, to the location where the snuff movie footage will be shot. While in the “waiting room”, one of the victims to be makes an attempt at escaping, but to no use, and ultimately he and his wife are set to encounter “The Butcher” himself, up close and very personal.

Once we switch from waiting room to slaughter house, the movie kicks into gear and this is where we are presented with some of the most violent scenes, I have seen in a long time. As the victim has to give everything he’s got to survive, The Butcher comes at him with a passion, and ultimately the victim needs to weigh his survival instincts against his feelings for his wife.

Shot with a head cam, we get to see violence, maiming and lots of gore up close and personal, as we see victims beaten, stabbed, raped, clobbered in any imaginable way. I don’t care how much of a seasoned horror fan you are, seeing these scenes, will affect you, and stay with you long after the movie has ended.

The Butcher can be compared to Hostel one and two to an extent, but more extreme, and much more real. Because of the reality factor, there is not much of a story, and where all the violence is leading also remains a mystery. In the few dialogues a few hints are dropped to a larger scheme of things, but it is clear that The Butcher was not made for those looking to lose themselves in a story, instead you may lose yourself in a relentless stream of violence blood and gore, the likes of which will haunt you for a long time after watching this movie.

In this regard we cannot classify The Butcher as a good or a bad movie, it certainly does what it is intended for, but it is definitely not a movie you will sit down with, watch and relax, it is an experience. Whether or not you go for this kind of flick, is up to the viewer, but I for one was impressed, with the power of such raw and violent footage.

Crypt of Gore highly recommends this film! Rating 7/10