Red Krokodil (2012)


REVIEWER RATING: 
7/10

DIRECTOR:

CAST:


There are so many substance abuse films out there, many of which have left permanent marks on would-be followers who have found salvation after watching: Requiem for a Dream, Trainspotting, Black Metal Veins, Leaving Las Vegas, The Rose, Drugstore Cowboy and countless more. Although not the most graphic of the drug-infused movies, Red Krokodil is certainly one of the most depressing flicks I’ve seen in a very long time.

Krokodil (Crocodile) is actually a potent opioid similar to heroin or morphine which easily sucks in the user and practically eats a person’s flesh from the inside out, creating green/black scaling as the person decomposes. Thus is the story of our fallen hero, the narrator (Brock Madson) of his demise in Red Krokodil, set in pre-apocalyptic Russia.

The beautifully shot film is almost entirely contained within an EXTREMELY filthy apartment, concentrating on the narrator’s self-pity, pain and craving for this fatal drug. His hands, elbows and knees wrapped in gauze to prevent the further decomposing of flesh only takes a backseat to his impending doom.

As he rummages about in soiled underwear (or completely naked), his teeth rotted out of his head and his hallucinations take over in sheer panic within the realms of his self-made hell.  He resides in darkness with only recollections of his happy days as an explorative young man frolicking nude in the countryside and soaking up the earth with splendor. As his sadness conquers the memories, the excruciating withdrawals remind all of the deadly consequences of intense drug use.

Cristopharo keeps our attention on the narrator’s descent into the dark abyss with no salvation in sight. As his flesh continues to rot, blood pours from his penis and he slinks through his squalor existence, the hopelessness is palpable and just all around heart wrenching.  Rooting for his conquering strength to come to fruition, it’s exhausting to witness the hold that Krokodil has over him.

Very few horror films cause me to tear up, but Red Krokodil managed to rip out my heart at the end as the narrator ends his existential dive into his downfall with “I must come back…”

Unlike other junkie films, concentrating on the inner workings of one man within the most depressing state of disaster to uphold who he once was, is outstanding. Pure and tragic to the gloomy end.

OVERALL: 
Have a hot shower and clean clothes ready to go after watching Red Krokodil. It’s grimy, lewd and just plain foul to the point where you can almost smell the filth radiating from the narrator’s body. That said, this is dreary film that will take you through utter despair as the main character’s broken body and soul seem to call out for help…but there’s no one around to hear the silent cries. It’ll leave you completely empty and desolate, as intended.


UHM is an independently owned site that relies solely on ad revenue. We ask that if you like this site and what we do to help support by temporarily disabling ad block (if you're using one). If you'd rather help in other ways you can also send a tip by clicking here (or the button below). Any amount helps and will go towards the costs to maintain the site. Anyone who donates will also be listed in our thanks page.