Party Monster

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Party Monster

R

Released Sep 5, 2003

1h 38m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

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Critics Consensus

The lurid display of camp soon turns tedious.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

There isn't an ounce of genuine affection on display.

Mar 12, 2018

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

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David Ehrenstein

New Times

... shows that there's a lot more to this sordid story than first meets the jaundiced eye.

Oct 3, 2017

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Matt Kelemen

Las Vegas CityLife

Rule No. 1: If you use black humor in a film about real-life characters and events, make sure you have a feel for it first.

Mar 30, 2004

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Gina R

You wouldn't ever want to go there in real life. But then that's what movies are for, aren't they?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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A M

Absolutely brilliant movie! although not entirely accurate but entertaining and is one of my comfort movies! I could watch it again and again and I have 👍😁

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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jay t

this movie was so good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/25

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Michael C

So happy that the audience has more taste than the critics do!!! Still one of my all time faves and so freaking ICONIC!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Rio A

This movie is so was so amazing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

Erik A

Don't be fooled by negative reviews this movie is one of Macaulay Culkin's best. How he transforms into the Michael Aligs character showcases Macaulay Culkin's creative in-depth and personal acting skills to a new level. The music soundtrack to this movie is exceptional and still holds true 20 years later. From the over the top costumes to Seth Green and Culkins' acting abilities and skills this movie is a must see especially for those that remember the club scene of the 1980s and 1990s and club kids themselves. This movie is provocative in depth and has a sexiness about it. Culkin truly transforms himself into the Michael Allen character from the mannerisms The voice the style is spot on. I can't tell you enough how this movie is truly one of my top five favorite movies of all time. If you're a Midwest gay boy lost and yearning for the big City club and party life you don't want to miss this movie. If you were fortunate enough to live and survive that lifestyle this movie will bring back memories both good and bad. It's been 20 years since this movie has come out I wish Macaulay Culkin would have put out as many movies let's say as Leonardo DiCaprio has he truly is an equal talent I would say even more so.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

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Fenton Bailey

Director

Macaulay Culkin

Michael Alig

Seth Green

James St. James

Chloë Sevigny

Gitsie

Natasha Lyonne

Brooke

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Synopsis

In this film based on a true story, Michael Alig (Macaulay Culkin) arrives on a Greyhound bus in New York City desperate to leave his boring Midwestern past behind. After meeting downtown club kid James St. James (Seth Green) and influential nightclub owner Peter Gatien (Dylan McDermott), a fame-hungry Alig decides to throw the most controversial and over-the-top parties in the city. In just a few years Alig's drug addiction and erratic behavior threaten to destroy the empire he's created.

Director: Fenton Bailey
Producer: Jon Marcus, Brad Simpson, Christine Vachon, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Screenwriter: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Distributor: ContentFilm, Strand Releasing, DEJ Productions
Production Co: ContentFilm, World of Wonder, Killer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $668.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

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