Dutch Horror Film Makes History with Rare NC-17 Ban
A Dutch horror film has carved its name into cinematic history, but for a particularly gruesome reason. Meat Kills (Vleesdag), directed by Martijn Smits, has become the first film from the Netherlands to be slapped with the notoriously rare NC-17 rating in the United States. This rating effectively acts as a ban, prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from viewing the film.
A Grisly Tale of Revenge on the Farm
The plot of this controversial film is as brutal as its reception. The story follows an animal rights activist named Mirthe and her group, who decide to sabotage a pig farm. Their actions, however, trigger a devastating and violent response from the farmer's family. The official synopsis warns of an 'unstoppable chain reaction of violence and revenge,' a promise the film is reported to deliver upon with unflinching intensity.
As the film becomes available for streaming in the US on the platform Screambox, its NC-17 classification from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) has thrust it into the spotlight. This rating is so infrequently used that, according to the MPA's own records, only 93 films in US history have ever received it. For context, the recent Terrifier 3 received the same rating in France due to its extreme gore.
Critical Reception and Future Plans
Despite its restrictive rating, or perhaps because of it, Meat Kills has garnered significant attention from horror critics. Following its premiere at Fantastic Fest earlier this year, the film received several rave reviews. Dread Central praised its 'disgusting setpieces' and 'devilish performances,' while Macabre Daily noted that the film successfully uses its blood and guts to tell a 'meaningful, sometimes even very thoughtful, story.'
Horror Buzz described it as a 'punishing film that doesn’t skimp on the horror, revenge, and bloodshed,' directly appealing to 'gore hounds.'
Looking to the future, director Martijn Smits is already planning an English-language remake. In an interview with Filmhounds Magazine, Smits revealed, 'We’re actively trying to make a US remake... I really believe that if we can do an English-language remake, it will click with an even larger audience.' He expressed hope that this project could serve as a launchpad for his ambition to make English-language films, a difficult feat to achieve from within the Dutch film industry.
While Meat Kills is now streaming in the US, a UK release date has not yet been announced.
