Party Monster

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Party Monster

R

Released Sep 5, 2003

1h 38m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

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

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

It's the drunk-guy- at-the-party syndrome: The only one truly entertained by the clown with the lamp shade on his head is the clown with the lamp shade on his head -- or folks similarly inebriated.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 12, 2003

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Eric Harrison

Houston Chronicle

A mess.

Rated: C-

Dec 5, 2003

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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

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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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Geoff M

Culkin and Green are equally fine in their roles, which on the surface seem to require nothing more than mincing, prancing, posing and a bit of Clockwork Orange makeup. But their performances and roles dig deeper throughout the climax and resolve

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 38 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $668,100.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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Fenton Bailey

Director

Randy Barbato

Director

Macaulay Culkin

Michael Alig

Seth Green

James St. James

Chloë Sevigny

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Natasha Lyonne

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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, Randy Barbato
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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